Saving Permissions for Files and Directories

Archiving permissions for files and directories can often prove to be a valuable practice, especially in scenarios where system configurations or access requirements might change. This process can be accomplished using the getfacl command, which retrieves the Access Control Lists (ACLs) for specified files or directories. Here’s how you can do it:

# getfacl file_name

By executing this command, you obtain the permissions associated with the specified file.

Moreover, if you wish to capture permissions recursively across an entire subdirectory and store the output for future reference, you can utilize the following command:

# getfacl directory > /tmp/files.acl

This command not only retrieves permissions for the directory but also for all its subdirectories and files within it, saving the output in a designated file (/tmp/files.acl in this case).

In cases where it becomes necessary to revert permissions to their previous state, perhaps due to system restoration or accidental modifications, the setfacl command comes into play. Here’s how you can restore permissions using a previously saved ACL file:

# setfacl --restore=/tmp/files.acl

This command applies the permissions specified in the ACL file (/tmp/files.acl) to the respective files and directories, effectively restoring their previous access settings.

By employing these commands judiciously, system administrators can maintain better control over access permissions, ensuring the security and integrity of critical files and directories within the system.