Rapid Backup with Duplicity and ftpGrid

Published {$created} by Viggo

Many organizations and individuals struggle with reliable, offsite backups. While solutions abound, configuring them can be complex and time-consuming. This guide demonstrates a fast path to secure backups using Duplicity, a command-line backup tool, and ftpGrid for storage. Duplicity's ability to perform incremental backups, combined with ftpGrid's secure storage, provides a powerful and efficient solution.

Setting up Duplicity with ftpGrid

First, ensure Duplicity is installed on your system. Instructions vary by operating system; refer to the Duplicity documentation for details. Next, create an account at ftpGrid.com. Our instant setup means you’re ready within seconds. Create an SFTP user account within your ftpGrid dashboard. Note the hostname (edgeN.ftpgrid.com), username, and password (or SSH key - highly recommended for enhanced security – see our guide on SSH key authentication).

The core Duplicity command looks like this:

duplicity --encrypt-key <your_encryption_key> --sftp-user <ftpGrid_username> --sftp-host edgeN.ftpgrid.com --sftp-port 22 --sftp-key <path_to_your_private_key> /path/to/data backup@ftpgrid.com:/backup/location

• --encrypt-key: Specifies a key for encrypting your backup data. This is crucial for data privacy.
• --sftp-user: Your ftpGrid username.
• --sftp-host: edgeN.ftpgrid.com - your ftpGrid server.
• --sftp-port: 22 - the standard SFTP port.
• --sftp-key: Path to your SSH private key (if using key-based authentication, which is preferred).
• /path/to/data: The directory you want to back up.
• backup@ftpgrid.com:/backup/location: The destination path within your ftpGrid storage. Choose a descriptive location.

For increased security, use SSH keys instead of passwords. This is explained in more detail in our guide on secure authentication methods.

Automating and Scheduling

Once the initial backup completes, scheduling regular backups is essential. Linux systems commonly use cron for this purpose. A simple cron entry might look like:

0 2 * * * /usr/bin/duplicity --encrypt-key <your_encryption_key> --sftp-user <ftpGrid_username> --sftp-host edgeN.ftpgrid.com --sftp-port 22 --sftp-key <path_to_your_private_key> /path/to/data backup@ftpgrid.com:/backup/location --progress-bar

This command runs Duplicity daily at 2:00 AM. The --progress-bar flag provides visual feedback during the backup process. Consider reviewing our guide to managed FTP hosting for a more robust and automated solution. You can also monitor storage usage and bandwidth consumption within your ftpGrid dashboard.

For organizations needing more advanced features, explore our API access. You can integrate ftpGrid into your existing backup infrastructure for complete automation. If you’re just getting started, consider our free tier to test the setup before committing.