Backing up a self-hosted GitLab instance is a crucial task for ensuring data integrity and availability. Whether you’re running GitLab for a small team or a large enterprise, having a reliable backup strategy can save you from data loss due to hardware failures, accidental deletions, or other unforeseen events. In this article, we’ll explore how to effectively back up your GitLab instance using built-in tools and best practices.

Why Backup Your GitLab Instance?

GitLab is a powerful platform that integrates source code management, CI/CD, and more. Losing your GitLab data can mean losing valuable code, project history, and CI/CD pipelines. Regular backups ensure that you can recover quickly and minimize downtime.

Prerequisites

Before starting the backup process, ensure you have:

1. Access to the GitLab server: You need administrative access to the server where GitLab is installed.
2. Sufficient storage: Ensure you have enough storage space to hold the backup files.
3. GitLab version compatibility: The backup process may vary slightly depending on your GitLab version. This guide assumes you are using a recent version of GitLab.

Backup Methods

1. Using GitLab’s Built-in Backup Rake Task

GitLab provides a built-in rake task to create backups of your repositories, database, and other important data.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Access the GitLab Server: SSH into your GitLab server.

2. Navigate to the GitLab Directory: Typically, GitLab is installed in /home/git/gitlab or /opt/gitlab.

3. Run the Backup Command: Execute the following command to create a backup:

   sudo gitlab-rake gitlab:backup:create
   

   This command will create a backup file in the default backup directory, usually located at /var/opt/gitlab/backups.

4. Verify the Backup: Check the backup directory to ensure the backup file is created. The file will be named with a timestamp, such as 1633036800_2021_10_01_13.0.6_gitlab_backup.tar.

2. Automating Backups with Cron

To ensure regular backups, you can automate the process using cron jobs.

Example Cron Job:

1. Edit the Crontab: Open the crontab file for editing:

   sudo crontab -e
   

2. Add a Cron Job: Add the following line to schedule a daily backup at 2 AM:

   0 2 * * * /usr/bin/sudo /opt/gitlab/bin/gitlab-rake gitlab:backup:create
   

   Adjust the path to the gitlab-rake command if your installation directory differs.

3. Offsite Backup Storage

For added security, consider storing backups offsite. You can use tools like rsync or scp to copy backup files to a remote server or cloud storage.

Example Rsync Command:

rsync -avz /var/opt/gitlab/backups/ user@remote-server:/path/to/backup/directory

Restoring from Backup

In the event of data loss, you can restore your GitLab instance from a backup.

1. Stop GitLab Services: Before restoring, stop GitLab services to prevent data corruption:

   sudo gitlab-ctl stop
   

2. Restore the Backup: Use the following command to restore:

   sudo gitlab-rake gitlab:backup:restore BACKUP=<timestamp>
   

   Replace <timestamp> with the timestamp of the backup file you wish to restore.

3. Restart GitLab Services: Once the restoration is complete, restart GitLab services:

   sudo gitlab-ctl start
   

Conclusion

Regular backups are essential for maintaining the integrity and availability of your GitLab instance. By leveraging GitLab’s built-in tools and automating the process, you can ensure that your data is safe and recoverable. Remember to periodically test your backups by performing a restoration on a test server to ensure the process works smoothly.

References

• GitLab Backup and Restore Documentation
• Cron Job Basics
• Rsync Documentation