Disk-to-Disk Backups with Rsync

1
Disk-to-Disk Backups with Rsync

• Robert Tuck
• robtuck_at_cs.rutgers.edu

2
Background

• Cost of disk backup is quickly approaching cost
  of tape backup
• Easy Automated Snapshot-Style Backups with Linux
  and Rsync
• http//www.mikerubel.org/computers/rsync_snapshots
  /

3
Our Goals

• Eliminate tape backups
• Easy setup for clients
• No additional users
• Rsync is only software necessary
• Backup configs on client
• Centralized backups

4
Backup Mechanics
BackUp Server
BackUp Client
backup directory
root
yesterday
today
tomorrow
etc
etc
etc
etc
Equal?
Equal?
BestOS.txt
BestOS.txt
BestOS.txt
BestOS.txt
Filesystem
Storage
01001110011011000110
Yes!
No!
File
File
File
File
5
Whats out there?

• Snapback2
• (http//www.perusion.com/misc/Snapback2/)
• local rsync, rsync over ssh
• Feature-rich, centralized configuration of all
  backups

• Rsnapshot
• (rsnapshot.org)
• local rsync, rsync over ssh, rsync server
• Simple centralized configuration of all backups

6
What we do

• Backup organization structure
• Rsync secrets for login
• Client backup configuration is controlled by the
  client system administrator
• Rsync daemon on client

7
Organization of Backups
/ backup directory
/ client name
/ backup name
/ structure(s)
Name of the backup client
Date format yymmdd.hhmm
Backup structures relative to client root
8
Backup Overview
Backup Server
Client
Exports Rsync Secrets directory
Runs rsync daemon

• Server initiates backup
• Generates rsync secrets
• Gets configuration from client with rsync
• Parses configuration and starts backup
• Destroys secrets

9
Future?

• Windows
• Improved restore mechanism
• Off-site backup server

More Info

• http//www.cs.rutgers.edu/lcsr/projects/rsync_back
  up
• http//rsync.samba.org
• http//www.mikerubel.org/computers/rsync_snapshots
  /