Distribute and manage files with git-annex
Data Warehouse

© Lead Image © adimas, Fotolia.com
Git-annex is storage software that distributes files across devices, servers, and cloud services. It can encrypt files and keep everything in sync, and it always knows where to find your data.
If you move into a secluded cabin, you cannot expect a broadband Internet connection. When US Debian developer Joey Hess moved to such a place in 2010, he had to find a way to reconcile his work with his new habitat. He only launched his expensive dial-up connection once a week for cost reasons, but he had a whole bunch of servers with a stack of hard drives to synchronize.
Crowdfunding Success
Because of his situation, Hess began to write a synchronization tool for his own purposes that is now used as the underpinnings for the free Git version control software. This tool is now widely available under the GPL as git-annex [1]. Additionally, thanks to a crowdfunding campaign, Hess has also developed the git-annex assistant
web GUI, which makes the software more accessible for end users. See the "Installation" box for more information.
On the git-annex homepage, Hess describes two target groups for the software: Bob the archivist and Alice the globetrotter. The archivist can use git-annex to manage myriad files in a single directory tree, even though the files are spread across multiple servers and even across removable hard drives. For safety reasons, git-annex can also create multiple copies of each file.
[...]
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
-
openSUSE Tumbleweed Ditches AppArmor for SELinux
If you're an openSUSE Tumbleweed user, you can expect a major change to the distribution.
-
Plasma 6.3 Now Available
Plasma desktop v6.3 has a couple of pretty nifty tricks up its sleeve.
-
LibreOffice 25.2 Has Arrived
If you've been hoping for a release that offers more UI customizations, you're in for a treat.
-
TuxCare Has a Big AlmaLinux 9 Announcement in Store
TuxCare announced it has successfully completed a Security Technical Implementation Guide for AlmaLinux OS 9.
-
First Release Candidate for Linux Kernel 6.14 Now Available
Linus Torvalds has officially released the first release candidate for kernel 6.14 and it includes over 500,000 lines of modified code, making for a small release.
-
System76 Refreshes Meerkat Mini PC
If you're looking for a small form factor PC powered by Linux, System76 has exactly what you need in the Meerkat mini PC.
-
Gnome 48 Alpha Ready for Testing
The latest Gnome desktop alpha is now available with plenty of new features and improvements.
-
Wine 10 Includes Plenty to Excite Users
With its latest release, Wine has the usual crop of bug fixes and improvements, along with some exciting new features.
-
Linux Kernel 6.13 Offers Improvements for AMD/Apple Users
The latest Linux kernel is now available, and it includes plenty of improvements, especially for those who use AMD or Apple-based systems.
-
Gnome 48 Debuts New Audio Player
To date, the audio player found within the Gnome desktop has been meh at best, but with the upcoming release that all changes.