[Discuss] Backup linux desktops/workstations

[Richard Pieri]

On 6/12/2012 11:00 PM, Edward Ned Harvey wrote:
> On mac & windows, I'm accustomed to Time Machine and Acronis.  Key features
> are:
> . Run in the background, low priority, no complaints from user about
> performance.
> . Daily (or more frequent) incrementals
> . Able to specify excludes
> . Able to restore whole system, or just a few individual files
> . User doesn't need IT assistance to restore a few individual files

rsnapshot does all of the above.  In a nutshell, rsnapshot creates 
histories of snapshots.  It uses the link feature of GNU cp to quickly 
and efficiently replicate directory structures, and it uses rsync to 
create the snapshots.

It runs from cron, or it can be run manually if so desired.  Each run is 
effectively a diff against the previous run so load mostly depends on 
changes.  You can use rsync's bwlimit to throttle I/O if it becomes a 
problem.

rsnapshot is designed to run as frequently as you want, although more 
frequently than every hour or three tends to be excessive.

rsnapshot uses rsync so all of rsync's exclude capabilities are available.

rsync can back up and restore a complete Linux system.  Actually 
performing the restore is simple: boot a Live CD, create and mount your 
file systems, and rsync the desired snapshot back onto it.  Then fix up 
the boot loader.

Individual files can be restored by users either with scp or via network 
shares depending on your security requirements.  The snapshots retain 
file ownerships and permissions so it's largely a matter of how you want 
to present these backups.


-- 
Rich P.