Accessing the powerful Btrfs snapshot features with Snapper
Snap Stack
© Lead Image © ssilver, 123RF.com
Snapper lets you restore a system to its previous state – with a little help from Btrfs snapshots.
The openSUSE project believes in the Btrfs filesystem [1]. Btrfs has been the filesystem for the root partition since openSUSE 13.2 and version 12 of SUSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES).
Work on the Btrfs filesystem has been going on for about eight years. Btrfs, like ZFS [2], relies on functions that are not usually included in a filesystem's repertoire. In addition to an extended storage area, Btrfs includes support for RAID 0, 1, 5, 6, and 10, as well as snapshots, subvolumes, and the ability to defragment partitions during operation. You can even convert ext3/4 partitions to Btrfs, after creating a backup, using the btrfs-convert command from the Btrfs-tools package.
A tool called Snapper leverages the powers of Btrfs to provide what the developers call "the ultimate snapshot tool for Linux." Snapper offers a variety of convenient features for recording the system state. According to the Snapper portal at the openSUSE site, "Apart from the obvious creation and deletion of snapshots, Snapper can compare snapshots and revert differences between snapshots. In simple terms, this capability allows root and non-root users to view older versions of files and revert changes."
[...]
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
US / Canada
UK / Australia
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Linux Mint 22.3 Now Available with New Tools
Linux Mint 22.3 has been released with a pair of new tools for system admins and some pretty cool new features.
-
New Linux Malware Targets Cloud-Based Linux Installations
VoidLink, a new Linux malware, should be of real concern because of its stealth and customization.
-
Say Goodbye to Middle-Mouse Paste
Both Gnome and Firefox have proposed getting rid of a long-time favorite Linux feature.
-
Manjaro 26.0 Primary Desktop Environments Default to Wayland
If you want to stick with X.Org, you'll be limited to the desktop environments you can choose.
-
Mozilla Plans to AI-ify Firefox
With a new CEO in control, Mozilla is doubling down on a strategy of trust, all the while leaning into AI.
-
Gnome Says No to AI-Generated Extensions
If you're a developer wanting to create a new Gnome extension, you'd best set aside that AI code generator, because the extension team will have none of that.
-
Parrot OS Switches to KDE Plasma Desktop
Yet another distro is making the move to the KDE Plasma desktop.
-
TUXEDO Announces Gemini 17
TUXEDO Computers has released the fourth generation of its Gemini laptop with plenty of updates.
-
Two New Distros Adopt Enlightenment
MX Moksha and AV Linux 25 join ranks with Bodhi Linux and embrace the Enlightenment desktop.
-
Solus Linux 4.8 Removes Python 2
Solus Linux 4.8 has been released with the latest Linux kernel, updated desktops, and a key removal.