Automated backup OpenWRT etc directory

Posted on January 10, 2026
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Table of Contents

  1. Version Control for OpenWRT Configuration Files
    1. Why Version Control?
    2. Automated Backups
    3. Focused Backups

Version Control for OpenWRT Configuration Files

As an OpenWRT user, I often find myself unsure of what changes I’ve made to the system. When something goes wrong, I want to roll back to a previous version of my configuration files. This is why implementing a version control system for these configurations is essential.

Why Version Control?

Having a version control system in place allows me to quickly revert any unintentional changes, saving time and frustration.

Automated Backups

By leveraging OpenWRT’s scheduled tasks, I can automate the backup process, sending configuration files to my NAS for safekeeping.

Focused Backups

While the overlay filesystem is stored on an SD card, providing a crucial backup, I prefer a more focused approach. Rather than backing up everything, I only select the /etc directory for backups.

This streamlined versioning strategy keeps my OpenWRT setup manageable and secure, ensuring that I can easily recover from mistakes and maintain system stability.