kohtubackup

Kohtubackup is a command-line utility designed for backing up and restoring data on a Kubernetes cluster. It leverages etcd, the distributed key-value store that Kubernetes uses to store all cluster state, as the primary source for backups. By targeting etcd, kohtubackup can capture the configuration of all Kubernetes objects, including deployments, services, pods, and custom resources, in a consistent snapshot.

The tool operates by accessing the etcd cluster, typically through a service endpoint or direct connection. It then exports the etcd data, which is usually in JSON format, to a specified backup location. This backup can be stored locally or transferred to remote storage. The restoration process involves importing the backed-up etcd data back into a running etcd cluster, effectively bringing the Kubernetes cluster to the state captured in the backup.

Kohtubackup is particularly useful for disaster recovery scenarios, enabling administrators to restore a cluster to a previous working state after hardware failures, configuration errors, or accidental data loss. It can also be used for migrating Kubernetes clusters between environments or for creating point-in-time recovery options. The tool's command-line interface allows for scripting and automation of backup and restore operations, making it a flexible component in a Kubernetes operational strategy. Its reliance on etcd makes it a direct method for state preservation.