Rapid-Start Backup with Duplicity and ftpGrid

Published {$created} by Carsten Blum

Automating backups is vital, and combining Duplicity’s robust capabilities with ftpGrid's reliable cloud storage offers a powerful, straightforward solution. This guide focuses on the quickest path to a working backup, assuming minimal prior experience.

1. Account Setup and Initial Configuration

First, you'll need an ftpGrid account. Sign up for a free tier to begin – 512MB of storage provides a practical starting point and allows you to test the setup without commitment. See the ftpGrid Free Tier Overview for details. During signup, you’re guided through basic setup. Note the hostname provided - it will be in the format edgeN.ftpgrid.com. This is essential for configuring Duplicity. Creating an SFTP user is highly recommended for enhanced security; the FTP 101: SFTP Keys vs. Passwords Security article explains the benefits.

2. Duplicity Configuration and First Backup

Duplicity is a command-line backup program that supports various destinations. For ftpGrid, you will utilize SFTP, the most secure option. The core command structure will resemble this:

duplicity --sftp-user=YOUR_SFTP_USERNAME --sftp-host=edgeN.ftpgrid.com --sftp-port=22 --sftp-key-file=/path/to/your/private/key /path/to/data /path/to/backup/location

Replace YOUR_SFTP_USERNAME, edgeN.ftpgrid.com, /path/to/your/private/key, /path/to/data and /path/to/backup/location with your specifics. The initial backup can take some time, particularly for large datasets. Subsequent backups will be significantly faster due to incremental backups. The Duplicity Backup to ftpGrid tutorial goes into more detail about specific configuration options.

3. Automation and Monitoring

Once the initial backup completes, schedule it using your operating system’s built-in scheduler (e.g., cron on Linux, Task Scheduler on Windows). This ensures regular backups occur without manual intervention. While the Activity Timeline shows recent activity, consider a log file for your Duplicity command to identify and resolve potential issues. The free tier provides basic usage data via the dashboard, allowing you to monitor your storage usage.