[CentOS] Linux backup help

Kevin Kempter wrote:
> Hi All;
> 
> I'm awaiting a new linux laptop that will be my primary work machine. I want 
> to implement a strategy that allows me as easily as possible to revert back 
> to a former state. My primary concern is a scenario where I apply system 
> updates and it breaks something that for me is critical.   
> 
> I wonder if a simple rsync script would work. If so, here's what I'm thinking:
> 
> 1) updates are available so I execute the rsync script which pulls any updated 
> files from my laptop to a backup server/drive
> 
> 2) apply updates
> 
> 3) if something breaks (even if I can no longer login) I boot the laptop, run 
> the rsync script in the opposite direction (push files from the backup drive 
> to the laptop) 
> 
> I assume that if I were to execute step 3 above that my system would be in the 
> exact state that it was before I ran the updates. Is this a correct 
> assumption ?  Are there better approaches ?
> 
> 
> Thanks in advance..
> 

Taking a disk image snapshot with something like clonezilla might be an 
alternative for you to consider.

http://clonezilla.org/