[Discuss] Backup linux desktops/workstations

[dsr at randomstring.org (Dan Ritter)]

On Tue, Jun 12, 2012 at 11:00:27PM -0400, 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
> 
> I'm willing to compromise on the last two points, and *maybe* even
> compromise on the excludes.  But there can be no compromise on the first two
> points.
> 
> I'm trying to find a suitable, similar backup solution for linux (ubuntu
> desktop in particular).  Up till now, the best I've done is dump (ext4
> filesystem.)  Unfortunately, even when I nice dump to the fullest extent,
> it's still too resource intensive.  Users complain tremendously, as long as
> it's running.

rsnapshot with a --bw-limit adjusted to take up less than half
of a user's disk IO will satisfy 1,2,3 and 5. It's not great at
whole-system restoration, although it can be done in combination
with a rescue disk. It excels at "no IT assistance needed"
partial restores.

-dsr-