Creating a Backup Structure and Archiving Files

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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.*

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Lab Info

Level

Beginner

Last updated

Oct 28, 2025

Duration

30m

Challenge

Install the STAR Utility
- Use the yum or dnf command to install the star package.
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.
Challenge

Create a STAR Archive of the Backup Directory
- Use the star command to create an archive with extended attributes and security contexts.
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.
Challenge

Review the Archive to Confirm Success
- Use the star utility to review the contents of the compressed archive.

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