Automating Camera Backups with C++ and ftpGrid

Published {$created} by Carsten Blum

Okay, let's walk through a real-world scenario. I'm building a system for a local security firm. They have dozens of IP cameras – Reolink, Axis, the usual suspects – generating a ton of video data. Managing this data reliably is crucial. Self-hosting a solution is a nightmare, constantly needing server maintenance, dealing with bandwidth spikes, and frankly, a security risk. That's where ftpGrid comes in.

My task: automate daily backups of these camera recordings to a secure, offsite location. While bash or Python could do the job, the firm wanted tight control and performance, so I opted for C++. The ideal tool is the ftpGrid Storage API, and specifically, the quick-storage-api-cpp-sftp-ftp documentation.

The core of the application is a loop that iterates through each camera’s backup directory, zips the files, and uploads them to ftpGrid. The sftp_connect(), sftp_upload() and sftp_disconnect() functions from the example code are invaluable. I'm using SSH-ED25519 keys for authentication, as outlined in the tutorials/create-ssh-keys-for-sftp-scp-authentication guide, providing a significantly more secure alternative to passwords – crucial for compliance with regulations. The initial connection establishes a secure channel; no passwords flying around.

Let’s say I'm backing up a directory of 10GB of video clips. The C++ code handles the progress bar, logs errors, and retries failed uploads. No more manual intervention or worrying about network hiccups interrupting the process. This replaces their previous, unreliable, manual process.

The beauty of using the ftpGrid API is that it's not just about simple uploads. I can monitor storage usage via the Dashboard, ensuring we don't exceed our quota (defined by our plan – check out pricing for details). Furthermore, the audit logging (Audit logging) provides a detailed record of all file transfers.

The firm also needed a system to serve these files securely. ftpGrid’s HTTPS sharing capabilities are perfect for secure access for authorized personnel – a much better alternative to using something like WeTransfer.

The result is a robust, automated backup system, freeing up the security firm to focus on their core business. The C++ code, powered by the ftpGrid Storage API, ensures data integrity and security, all managed through a clean, simple interface.