Simple remote backup sofware?

[SuperlativeTheory]

I was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction to any kind of easy to use remote backup solution?

I'm currently running Debian 6.0 on a dedicated server, which I want to use to store the backups. I realise that for the most part, I can simply transfer files over, via FTP. However, I want to set up something on my girlfriends laptop (running Windows XP), that allows her to simply right-click a file/folder, and select backup. In terms of recovering the files later on, that's not so much of an issue, as I have a file manager script that I can just point to the relevant directory.

I suppose that the software doesn't really have to be intended for backup purposes, as long as it's a simple way of sending the seleted file(s) to a pre-defined directory on my server. Don't suppose anyone knows of anything that would do this? Or how to write a script or something of the like to achieve this?

[+BudMan MVC]

How much data are you talking - what is her upload bandwidth?

[threetonesun]

The Crash Plan software will do this, and it's free, it can backup to a local disk and a remote disk at the same time (and for a fee, to their cloud servers). I've been pretty happy with it so far.

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

The Crash Plan software will do this, and it's free, it can backup to a local disk and a remote disk at the same time (and for a fee, to their cloud servers). I've been pretty happy with it so far.

Nice, I have been using Carbon Copy Cloner on my Mac, but the ads really are starting to annoy the hell out of me. So this is a good alternative?

[threetonesun]

Nice, I have been using Carbon Copy Cloner on my Mac, but the ads really are starting to annoy the hell out of me. So this is a good alternative?

I've had no issues with it so far. You have to create an account which would then allow you to store on their servers, but if you want to just save things locally or to a friends disk, it does that without issue for free.

[DirtyLarry Veteran]

I've had no issues with it so far. You have to create an account which would then allow you to store on their servers, but if you want to just save things locally or to a friends disk, it does that without issue for free.

Yep just local, I have a NAS I use just for backup, so would do it to it. Will check it out then. Thanks.

[Karl L.]

If you are doing this over your local network rsync is probably the best solution. Setup the rsync daemon on your server, and configure the rsync client on your machines to connect to it. DeltaCopy is a nice rsync GUI that integrates well with Windows; I highly recommend it. It can be used to perform manual or automatic backups. You have complete control over which files and folders get backed up when you set it up.

Since rsync transmissions are not encrypted, its best to setup some form of encryption if you plan to backup over the Internet. There are two easy ways you can do this: SSH or VPN. I currently use OpenVPN on my server to accomplish the encryption portion because it allows me to always use the local IP address of my server regardless of whether I am on my home network or not. However it requires that I establish a VPN connection before initiating a backup if I am not at home. The main advantage of the SSH method is that DeltaCopy is capable of establishing the SSH connection for you and routing all rsync traffic over that. You also don't have to expose the rsync port on your server to your local network. With the VPN method you must expose the rsync port to your local network (although not the Internet). Its also likely that you already have OpenSSH setup while OpenVPN would take considerably more work.

[remixedcat]

R1soft is what a lot of the hosting providers use.

[Karl L.]

R1soft is what a lot of the hosting providers use.

Oh, does the OP want to backup the server itself? I interpreted his post as intent to use the server to host backups of a client.

[remixedcat]

http://r1soft.idera.com/cloudcopy is something they can look into.

[Kami-]

http://r1soft.idera.com/cloudcopy is something they can look into.

This is so far beyond 'overkill' it's become a massacre of the worlds resources for a slice of cheese. -.-

[remixedcat]

and who wouldn't want something enterprise proven and smooth and reliable?

[Karl L.]

and who wouldn't want something enterprise proven and smooth and reliable?

Someone who isn't running an enterprise IT department and can't find $1000 of spare change in the couch?

[remixedcat]

Thing is if the files are mission critical the extra cost is worth it.

It was just a really good suggestion, no need for you to get mad about it.

[firey]

Thing is if the files are mission critical the extra cost is worth it.

It was just a really good suggestion, no need for you to get mad about it.

I don't think he was "Mad" however he has a point. I could never afford to spend 1000$ on something like that. Especially when there are services like:

http://www.carbonite.com/

However what he is looking for is something that lets him say:

I want these file HERE... put onto this server HERE all under his own control.

[+BudMan MVC]

the software linked to has a FREE version http://r1soft.idera.com/tools/server-backup-free

Maybe thats what should of been linked too?

Either way the OP has not bothered to respond with even the most basic of info.. So either they found a solution they are happy with, or maybe they broke up with that GF ;)

[Karl L.]

Thing is if the files are mission critical the extra cost is worth it.

It was just a really good suggestion, no need for you to get mad about it.

I'm sorry. I didn't mean to give you the impression that I was angry. My comment was intended to be taken somewhat sarcastically. Maybe I should have tried to instill more inflection with bold or italics, or terminated the sentence with '/s'.

the software linked to has a FREE version http://r1soft.idera....ver-backup-free

Maybe thats what should of been linked too?

Either way the OP has not bothered to respond with even the most basic of info.. So either they found a solution they are happy with, or maybe they broke up with that GF ;)

Thanks for the clarification! Somehow I missed that.

After looking at the company's feature comparison guide, there seems to be no advantage of R1Soft Server Backup Free over rsync besides its purported ease-of-use. In fact, the free version specifically excludes some advanced features that rsync does very well. It doesn't seem competitive IMHO.

[farmeunit]

OwnCloud is you have your own server maybe. I've never tried it, but heard good things. I don't know how easy it would be for the "client".

[Karl L.]

I don't think OwnCloud is quite the backup solution the OP is looking for. It is fairly easy to setup on both the client and server, but it isn't really designed for full system backup.