Last modified: 2025 July 14
Overview
This guide provides instructions on how to perform backups on filesystems that are remotely mounted locally.
To properly mount or unmount a partition, its entry must be present in the /etc/fstab file. This crucial system file lists all mountable filesystems and their respective configuration options. It is important to note that the backup utility will only manage partitions explicitly listed within the /etc/fstab file.
Important Warning:
- We strongly advise against performing backups directly to remote filesystems such as NFS, CIFS, smbfs, or other network drive systems. Although it is technically possible to store a backup directly to a remote filesystem, this configuration is not officially supported.
- We highly recommend collaborating with a qualified system administrator to effectively manage any custom backup paths, thereby mitigating potential risks.
- Please be aware that we are not liable for any data loss resulting from attempts to follow the procedures outlined in this document.
Configure the Filesystem
When utilizing a mounted filesystem for backup storage, it is highly recommended to mount the system using the noexec option for enhanced security. To implement this, open the /etc/fstab file with a text editor and modify the relevant entry to match the example below:
/dev/sda5 /backup ext3 defaults,noexec 0 0
The example above illustrates the following configuration parameters:
/dev/sda5— Specifies the device./backup— Indicates the default mount point.ext3— Defines the filesystem type.defaults,noexec— Represents the mount options.0— Sets the dump options.0— Determines thefsckorder.
Remount a Backup Disk
To remount a backup disk upon system reboot, execute the following command:
mount -o remount,noexec /backup
