# Make a compressed backup of the <code>fedora3.img</code> file with this command: <code>gzip <fedora3.img >fedora3.img.backup.gz</code>
{{Admon/caution|Make sure the backup is successful!|If there are any error messages, '''DO NOT''' proceed past this point. You're going to destroy your fedora3 virtual machine and restore it using the backup you have created -- if there are any problems with the backup, you will not have a working virtual machine, and will have to re-install it.}}
# <ol> <li value="4">Compare the size of the compressed and original files.</li># <li>Start the ''fedora3'' VM.</li># <li>'''Make certain that you are in your fedora VM, and <u>not</u> in your Fedora main system.'''</li># <li>Wreck <u>only</u> your fedora 3 system! Try this command inside the fedora3 virtual machine ('''DO NOT''' do this on your main Fedora system, or you will have to repeat your '''lab2''' and portions of your '''lab3'''!): <code>rm -rf /*</code></li># <li>Shut down the VM.</li># <li>Restore the original image from backup (type this command carefully): <code>gunzip <fedora3.img.backup.gz >fedora3.img</code></li># <li>Restart the VM. Is it working normally?</li># <li>Create compressed backups of your other virtual machines.</li># <li>Answer this question in your log book:</li></ol>#::* In order to fully back up a virtual machine, what information should be saved in addition to the virtual machine image?# ::*Write the answer to the Investigation 6 question in your lab book.
{{Admon/important|Backing up VMs|It is essential to back up your VMs at the end of each lab, so you can easily restore them if something goes wrong in the next lab.}}
