All courses
Resource hub
Featured resource
Tech Upskilling Playbook 2025
Tech Upskilling Playbook

Build future-ready tech teams and hit key business milestones with seven proven plays from industry leaders.

Learn more
Hamburger Icon
  • Labs icon Lab
  • Cloud
Google Cloud Platform icon
Labs

Creating a Backup Structure and Archiving Files

In this hands-on lab, you will connect to a Red Hat 8 system using SSH. Once connected, you will install the `star` archive utility using `yum`. This directory will be used to collect files for a backup archive. Once the files are connected you will create an archive using the `star` utility, add a file to the archive once it has been created and then compress the archive using `bzip2` compression. The last step will be to view the contents of the archive using the `star` utility. *This course is not approved or sponsored by Red Hat.*

Get started Contact sales
Google Cloud Platform icon
Labs

Path Info

Level
Clock icon Beginner
Duration
Clock icon 30m
Last updated
Clock icon Aug 28, 2025

Contact sales

By filling out this form and clicking submit, you acknowledge our privacy policy.

Table of Contents

  1. Challenge

    Install the STAR Utility

    • Use the yum or dnf command to install the star package.

  2. Challenge

    Create a Backup Directory and Populate It with Data to Be Archived

    • Create a directory called backups in your home directory.
    • Copy the messages and secure log files from /var/log to the backup directory, preserving their security contexts.
    • Use output redirection to send the contents of /etc/passwd and /etc/group to a file called audit.log in the backup directory.
    • Send a list of the /var/log directory contents to a file called loglist.txt in the backup directory.

  3. Challenge

    Create a STAR Archive of the Backup Directory

    • Use the star command to create an archive with extended attributes and security contexts.

  4. Challenge

    Add a File to the Archive and Compress the Archive

    • Add the .bashrc file to the archive.
    • Use bzip2 to compress archive, preserving the star file.

  5. Challenge

    Review the Archive to Confirm Success

    • Use the star utility to review the contents of the compressed archive.
Pluralsight Skills - Labs - Pluralsight
Author
Pluralsight Skills

Pluralsight Skills gives leaders confidence they have the skills needed to execute technology strategy. Technology teams can benchmark expertise across roles, speed up release cycles and build reliable, secure products. By leveraging our expert content, skill assessments and one-of-a-kind analytics, keep up with the pace of change, put the right people on the right projects and boost productivity. It's the most effective path to developing tech skills at scale.

What's a lab?

Hands-on Labs are real environments created by industry experts to help you learn. These environments help you gain knowledge and experience, practice without compromising your system, test without risk, destroy without fear, and let you learn from your mistakes. Hands-on Labs: practice your skills before delivering in the real world.

Provided environment for hands-on practice

We will provide the credentials and environment necessary for you to practice right within your browser.

Guided walkthrough

Follow along with the author’s guided walkthrough and build something new in your provided environment!

Did you know?

On average, you retain 75% more of your learning if you get time for practice.
Ready to get started?
View individual plans View team plans