Topic: Offsite Backup

[versa]

Hi All
Just been browsing and was wondering if people use offsite backups with the likes of http://rsync.net/
Not really for masses of data just critical files/ folders i.e accounts data, email etc.
Has anyone done it ?
Has anyone got / willing to do a simple how to ? ( My knowledge is limited so it is beond me )
Can Affa or some other backup contrib be used for this?

All comments welcome

Regards
Versa

[jester]

Search in the wiki in the backup category.
Both affa and backup with dar have the functionality you're looking for.

[mercyh]

Can Affa or some other backup contrib be used for this?

Yes.

 

Affa features at a glance

    * Affa is secure: All transfers and connections are made by using the ssh protocol with public/private key authentication
    * Periodically runs unattended full backups. Only differences to the previous full backup are transferred over the network
    * Using rsync with optional bandwidth limit and compression allows backups over the internet

from: http://wiki.contribs.org/Affa

[versa]

Thanks guys
I felt Affa could do it alright. I just need to set up a test box and plough through it.

I guess I was wishing for a "Fools Guide" 

..Versa

[gzartman]

I guess I was wishing for a "Fools Guide" 

Which may be wishful thinking unless it is a supported SME Server function or a function provided by a well built SME Contrib. Right now, what you are wanting to do is not supported by SME; however, there are some current development efforts that could provide this functionality as a supported function in the next release of SME.

Until this function is released, I think the Backup with Dar Contrib will give you the functionality you are after:  http://wiki.contribs.org/Backup_with_dar   Backup with Dar is an SME Contrib that has been around for a couple years now (I believe) and has a good track record.

You could use the contrib to create backup sets of your SME Server to a device (medium) that you could manually carry off-site or you could copy/move the backup set over your WAN to a remote location.

Greg

[mercyh]

Greg,

Right now, what you are wanting to do is not supported by SME

I am curious about this line. Could you explain?

Am I incorrect in stating that AFFA is the supported rsync type solution for SME? I realize that it does much more then generic rsync but I would consider its additional features a plus rather then a negative.

I ask this as I know that you have much more SME experience then I do and I do not want to point users in the wrong direction...............

[veebr0]

To be honest after some review, appear the BackupPC is the most friendly option, this can be acceded and monitored by a Web Interface for me is the best however bellow you will find two link that contain better information


General Information:
http://wiki.contribs.org/BackupPC#Installation_.26_setup_on_sme_server

Steps to install:
http://sme.firewall-services.com/spip.php?article3


Best Regards.

[kevinb]

I am using the AFFA method at two sites and extremely happy with it. Both DAR and BackupPC had performance issues or restoring challenges with individual files. We are using old P3 desktops loaded with SME at the remotes sites and are performing the backups on 30 Gb and 280 Gb of data every night like clockwork (the first backup was done with the boxes locally so we are only sending the changed and new data over the residential internet connection).

We have been doing backups this way for over a year now.

Thanks again Michael!

[sal1504]

This is how I am setting up some of my clients offsite backups. First I have an SMEServer at my office which i use strictly for backups. On this server I have created an Ibay for the individual client, Client1 ibay is for Client1. I then create a permanent vpn connection between the client and by office. I use inexpensive netgear vpn routers to do this, such as the FVS114na but I am sure you could create this vpn connection with SME. Once the vpn is established I use Backup with Dar to create the clents SMEServer backup. In Backup with Dar I direct the backup device to the ip address in my office and to the client1 ibay. Hope that makes sense. What I like about this setup is 1. ease of setup. 2. reliability 3. able to restore individual files easily. I have found that most of my customers are willing to pay for this service so they don't to remember to take the backups off site.

Sal

[dilligaf]

I have tried a few things as well.
Vision backup has a ability to backup over wan w/ftp - performance is horrible.
Need a good rsync set up that allows windows clients to remotely/securely backup to a SME Affa server.

I tried setting up Cygwin on a windows xp pro pc and it installed fine, however following the instructions here http://tinyurl.com/5rz9qu where it tells about Run the sshd configuration script, I got one error after another, so have given up.