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== Backing Up Virtual Machine Images ==
Backing up your virtual machine images and xml virtual machine menu configurations is extremely important and MUST be performed at the end of each lab onto you USB key.
If something bad occurs (even removable hard disk failure). Student simply has to perform lab1 and first part of lab2 (install virtualization program), and then restore the VMs.
Failure to follow instructions can lead to loss of backups!
There are two general processes in order to back up your images:<ol><li>'''Compressing your images''' (also recommended to backup up to external storage USB Key) using the '''gzip''' command.</li><li>'''Backup the VM xml configuration file''' (preferably to USB key) using '''virsh''' shell command to add VM to virtual machine manager list (in the event that the HOST machine is "wiped" and re-installed, but VM images and xml configuration files have been backed up external storage).</li></ol><br />Taking the time to backup the image of the Operating System's file system allows the user to return to a '''"restoration point"''' using the '''gunzip''' command in case something bad occurs to the OS during a lab.<br />Failure to take the time to make and confirm backups can result in loss of lab work for the student!
