How To Backup “crontab -e” Files?

Question

I want to do a complete server backup.

I already have my backup script copying all of the html/php files for the web app, and the mysql databases, placing them into a .tar.gz file.

How can I add the crontab files to that backup?

Whenever I save the crontab, it goes to /tmp folder.. and when I check that folder immediately afterwards, it is empty.

Just a though, may versions of cron allow root to place the jobs in /etc/cron.d/, I generally prefer that instead, since my /etc folder is backed up, and tracked in a VCS.
related: "What I can I do to make the transition to some new computer hardware safe and smooth?".

dtoubelis · Answer 1 · 2011-11-18 05:11:47Z

up vote 5 down vote accepted

You could just backup the entire /var/spool/cron directory. It contains all crontables of all users and more.

answered Nov 18 '11 at 5:11

Worked a treat, thanks. – darkAsPitch Nov 28 '11 at 4:11

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Bart De Vos · Answer 2 · 2011-11-18 07:41:31Z

up vote 2 down vote

just backup the file /var/spool/cron/USER_NAME

answered Nov 18 '11 at 5:10

Rikih
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2 Answers