Needless to say, keeping and maintaining the integrity of your operating system, personal information, and personal files is the foundation of data management. While disasters are rare on Linux, protecting your data from system crashes, corrupted files, and lost or stolen computers is still an absolute must.
Backing up your files protects your data from corruption and restores it in the unlikely event that something goes wrong. Linux makes it easy to back up files for new users of its platform. Whether you want to put it all on autopilot or manage the smallest elements of file-by-file or folder-by-folder backups, Linux has the ability to provide highly customizable, accurate backups.
In Linux, backups can be done via external drives, internal partitions, or both. They can be zipped and compressed or synchronized in real time, file by file and bi-directional.
Following are several ways to automate file backups on Linux.
Use Dropbox
One of the popular cloud storage platforms is Dropbox. It will host and sync your data across multiple devices.
When you load Dropbox on your Linux system, it creates a special folder on your computer. It also syncs your files across all devices and computers with the Dropbox client installed.
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There is a free version that lets you store 2 GB for free. You also have the option to upgrade if you need more.
Following are the easy steps to install Dropbox for Ubuntu 18.04. To use the Dropbox installer, you first need to install GDebi.
First open a terminal and type:
$ sudo apt-get install gdebi
This will install the GDebi you need to run the Dropbox installation. Now download Dropbox from the install-linux” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>official site Select the appropriate package for your Linux desktop.
When you first installed GDebi, you should see a package installer popup with a button to click that says Install Package.
If you haven’t installed GDebi first, you can use this command to manually install Dropbox in Terminal.
$ sudo gdebi dropbox_2015.10.28_amd64.deb
You will now see a pop-up asking you to launch Dropbox to complete the installation. Click Launch Dropbox.
Click OK to load the property daemon (background process).
When the download is complete, exit the pop-up window. The Dropbox login page will automatically open in your web browser.
If you already have a Dropbox account, please sign in. If not, register.
During the installation process, a folder called Dropbox will be placed on the Ubuntu desktop. The data in this folder will be synced across all devices on which you installed Dropbox, as well as on the Dropbox website.
Optionally, you can also create subfolders, which will also be stored in the same hierarchy in your online account.
Bakula
Bacula is one of the most popular and widely used Linux recovery and backup solutions. It is open source that allows users to:
- back up data.
- check data on networks.
- quickly recover damaged or lost files.
There are two versions of Bacula. The basic version includes all the features you need to back up and restore files. If you need more advanced features, they also offer an enterprise solution.
With Bacula, you can run it entirely on one computer and back up your data to other types of media such as disk and tape. It is efficient and relatively easy to use Bacula is scalable due to its modular design and runs on a single computer or in an extensive network of hundreds of computers.
Bacula requires no intervention as it is an automated task when configured through the web interface, command line console, or graphical interface.
To learn how to install Bacula, read the Bacula Community Installation Guide
FlyBack
FlyBack is a program that backs up and restores your files. It is a snapshot tool based on rsync (command to copy and synchronize directories and files both locally and remotely).
The functionality is similar to Mac OS Time Machine by creating sequential backup directories that reflect the files you want to create.
It also hard-links the unmodified files with your previous backup. By using Flyback, users do not waste disk space, and at the same time, it gives them access to their files without a recovery program.
If your computer crashes while backing up to an external drive, you can move the external drive to a new device. Then you can copy the latest backup in any browser.
Some of the features include the ability to:
- Scheduling multiple backups.
- Perform custom backups automatically.
- Schedule automatic deletion of old backups.
- Control the location of the backup and what to include or exclude.
- Scan the directory structure during the backup process.
- Create backups of any directory to any location, including an external drive.
Learn how to install and use FlyBack to automatically back up files on Linux.
Relax and Recover
Also called ReaR, Relax-and-Recover is a tool for backing up your files on Linux. It lives up to its name in that once you install and configure it, you don’t need to do anything else. Your files are backed up and restored automatically.
Installation is simple and maintenance free. ReaR can benefit both home and corporate users.
Use this quick guide to try Relax-and-Recover
fwbackups
Another free open source tool is fwbackups It is a simple yet powerful tool for making backups easy.
Schedule backups to remote computers and don’t worry about data loss. Some of its many features include:
- Flexible backup configuration.
- Simple interface.
- Ability to back up all your files.
- Exclude directories or files from backup.
The free open source software Fwbackups is cross-platform and full of features. Its simple and intuitive interface makes it easy to back up your files.
Learn how to install and use fwbackups for easy and automated backups from its user guide.
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