Why Backups Matter

Data loss can happen to anyone due to hardware failure, accidental deletion, or malicious attacks. Soplos Linux provides powerful tools to ensure your system and personal files are safe.

Backup Fundamentals

The 3-2-1 Rule

The gold standard for backup strategies:

  • 3 Copies of Data: Your original data plus two backups.
  • 2 Different Media: E.g., internal drive and external USB drive.
  • 1 Offsite Copy: Cloud storage or a physical drive at another location.

System vs. Data Backups

Crucial Distinction:
  • System Backups (Timeshift): Protect the OS, updates, and configurations. They usually exclude your home folder to avoid reverting personal files.
  • Data Backups (Deja Dup/Pika): Protect your documents, photos, and projects in your home folder.

System Backups: Timeshift

Timeshift creates "snapshots" of your system files. It's your safety net against bad updates or configuration mistakes.

Installation

Terminal

sudo apt update
sudo apt install timeshift

Configuration: RSYNC vs BTRFS

  • BTRFS: Recommended if you installed Soplos on BTRFS. Snapshots are instant and take minimal space.
  • RSYNC: Works on all file systems (EXT4, etc.). Copies files to a backup location. Slower but reliable.

Creating Snapshots

You can create snapshots manually or schedule them (hourly, daily, weekly, boot).

Recommendation: Keep 5 daily and 1 weekly snapshot. This covers most mishaps without using too much space.

Restoring

From Desktop: Open Timeshift, select a snapshot, and click "Restore".

From Live USB (If system won't boot):

  1. Boot from your Soplos Linux Live USB.
  2. Install Timeshift if not present.
  3. Open Timeshift and select your system drive.
  4. Select a snapshot and restore.

Data Backups: Deja Dup

For your personal files (`/home/user`), use Deja Dup (Backups). It's simple, integrated, and supports encryption.

Installation

Terminal

sudo apt install deja-dup

Configuration

  1. Open "Backups" from the menu.
  2. Folders to Save: Select your Home folder.
  3. Folders to Ignore: Exclude "Downloads" or "Trash" to save space.
  4. Storage Location: Choose an external drive, network server, or Google Drive.
  5. Scheduling: Set to "Automatic" for daily or weekly backups.
Encryption: Deja Dup will ask for an encryption password. Do not lose this password, or your data will be unrecoverable.

Disk Imaging: Rescuezilla

For a complete "bare-metal" backup of your entire drive (including partition table and bootloader), use Rescuezilla.

When to use

  • Migrating to a new hard drive.
  • Creating a baseline image after a fresh setup.
  • Recovering from catastrophic drive failure.

Usage

Rescuezilla runs from a Live USB, independent of your OS.

  1. Download the Rescuezilla ISO.
  2. Flash it to a USB stick (using Etcher or Ventoy).
  3. Boot from the USB.
  4. Follow the wizard to "Backup" or "Restore" your drive to/from an external drive.

Cloud Backups: Rclone

Rclone is a command-line tool to sync files with cloud storage providers (Google Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive, S3, etc.).

Installation

Terminal

sudo apt install rclone

Configuration

Run the configuration wizard:

Terminal

rclone config

Follow the prompts to select your provider and authenticate.

Basic Usage

Terminal

# Sync local folder to remote
rclone sync /home/user/Documents remote:Documents

# Copy file to remote
rclone copy file.txt remote:Backup/

Automation & Best Practices

Automation

  • Timeshift: Use the built-in scheduler.
  • Deja Dup: Enable "Back Up Automatically".
  • Rclone: Create a systemd timer or cron job for regular syncs.

Best Practices Checklist

  • Test Restores: A backup is useless if it doesn't restore. Test it occasionally.
  • Encrypt Sensitive Data: Always encrypt backups stored offsite or in the cloud.
  • Unplug External Drives: Ransomware can encrypt connected backup drives. Disconnect them when not in use.