Breaking through the backup barrier
Web Interface
After the server is set up, you'll want to wander around the user interface a bit. On most installations, the URL should be: http://yourbackuppcserver/cgi-bin/BackupPC_Admin. This will bring you to the Server Status page (Figure 2). If you are one of the administrative users, you will see all of the currently running backups and any failures that need attention. Most of these failures will be caused by users stopping the backup by shutting off their machines. Also, you can see statistics about the server.
One of the nice things about the interface is that virtually all of the references to backups or hosts are clickable and will carry you either to the status page or the browse page for the backup. You'll also see a link to the documentation, which is served up locally.
On the left-hand side, you will notice all of the navigation links for the user interface. The drop-down menu at the top presents a list of hosts, and the search box below lets you search for hosts by name.
After you select one of the hosts, it will permit you to go to its status page, which shows you a list of all of the backups that have completed along with statistics about each one, such as size and when the machine was backed up (see Figure 3). On the status page for each machine, you can also start and stop backups and dequeue a machine for a given number of hours. The end user assigned to the machine in the hosts file is also able to start, stop, and dequeue backups.
Clicking on the list of backups presented on each host's page will take you to the restore interface. On the Backup Browse page, you'll find a navigation tree along the left side for the filesystem and a list of files to the right. Within this interface, you can click on a single file and download the file directly in your browser, or you can select multiple files by marking the checkbox and then clicking Download selected files.
On the next page, you can specify the files to be compressed or whether you want BackupPC to restore the files directly to your machine via the same transfer method that is used to back the files up. Note that the transfer method will need write access to the filesystem.
One other page frequently accessed by administrators is the Host Summary page, which provides a color-coded table of all of the hosts configured for the machine. In addition to the colors, which indicate current status, you can see the size of the last full and incremental backups, the speed of the backup, time since last backup, and last full backup. This gives you a quick bird's eye view of all the machines being backed up and quickly allows you to locate any trends or persistent problems.
Conclusions
BackupPC provides a comprehensive backup solution that is also user friendly. If you are looking to deploy a backup solution – particularly for end-user machines – you should certainly consider BackupPC.
Infos
- BackupPC: http://backuppc.sourceforge.net/
« Previous 1 2
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
TUXEDO Computers Unveils Linux Laptop Featuring AMD Ryzen CPU
This latest release is the first laptop to include the new CPU from Ryzen and Linux preinstalled.
-
XZ Gets the All-Clear
The back door xz vulnerability has been officially reverted for Fedora 40 and versions 38 and 39 were never affected.
-
Canonical Collaborates with Qualcomm on New Venture
This new joint effort is geared toward bringing Ubuntu and Ubuntu Core to Qualcomm-powered devices.
-
Kodi 21.0 Open-Source Entertainment Hub Released
After a year of development, the award-winning Kodi cross-platform, media center software is now available with many new additions and improvements.
-
Linux Usage Increases in Two Key Areas
If market share is your thing, you'll be happy to know that Linux is on the rise in two areas that, if they keep climbing, could have serious meaning for Linux's future.
-
Vulnerability Discovered in xz Libraries
An urgent alert for Fedora 40 has been posted and users should pay attention.
-
Canonical Bumps LTS Support to 12 years
If you're worried that your Ubuntu LTS release won't be supported long enough to last, Canonical has a surprise for you in the form of 12 years of security coverage.
-
Fedora 40 Beta Released Soon
With the official release of Fedora 40 coming in April, it's almost time to download the beta and see what's new.
-
New Pentesting Distribution to Compete with Kali Linux
SnoopGod is now available for your testing needs
-
Juno Computers Launches Another Linux Laptop
If you're looking for a powerhouse laptop that runs Ubuntu, the Juno Computers Neptune 17 v6 should be on your radar.