{"id":2461,"date":"2024-01-24T16:44:54","date_gmt":"2024-01-24T11:14:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.veeble.org\/kb\/?p=2461"},"modified":"2025-04-15T15:52:11","modified_gmt":"2025-04-15T10:22:11","slug":"setup-linux-vps-backup-server-using-rsync","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.veeble.com\/kb\/setup-linux-vps-backup-server-using-rsync\/","title":{"rendered":"Setup Linux VPS Backup Server using Rsync"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\"Step-by-Step-Guide-to-Setup-a-Linux-VPS-Backup-Server-using-Rsync\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Creating regular backups for your Linux-based VPS<\/a> is crucial for safeguarding your data and configurations. This tutorial walks you through the process of configuring a simple backup system with the useful and effective file synchronization program rsync<\/a>. There are other file synchronization programs also for this function such as fwbackups<\/a>, Duplicity<\/a><\/code> and Bacula<\/a><\/code> but for this tutorial we use rsync<\/code> for its simplicity of use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this tutorial, we will be using another Linux-based VPS for backup storage. Alternatively, you can consider using a different service such as cloud services like Amazon S3<\/a>, Google Cloud Storage<\/a>, or external servers depending on your choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Prerequisite<\/h4>\n\n\n

Install rsync on both devices:<\/strong>
You can install it on a Debian\/Ubuntu system using the following command:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

sudo apt update
sudo apt install rsync<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
For RedHat\/Centos system:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
sudo yum install rsync<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
After installation, ensure that the rsync<\/code> service is enabled and running:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
sudo systemctl enable rsync\nsudo systemctl start rsync\nsudo systemctl status rsync<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
(rsync is usually pre-installed on most Linux distributions, but it’s always good to make sure you have the latest version<\/em>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Install Source Server SSH-Key on the Backup Server:<\/strong>
You can generate a key on your source server using the following command:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ssh-keygen -t rsa<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
(Press Enter to accept the default file location and passphrase)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
After generating the key, copy the public key to the backup server. For that execute the following command replacing the username and IP address on your source server:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
ssh-copy-id username@backup_server_ip<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
(Follow the prompts to complete the copy)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n
From the source server, try to SSH into the backup server to ensure the key is working!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reference: https:\/\/www.veeble.org\/kb\/ssh-login-without-password\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n
Create and Configure the Rsync Script<\/h4>\n\n\n
A sample script, backup_script.sh<\/code>, is provided for synchronization. Customize paths, usernames, and IP addresses as needed. The script logs actions, checks Rsync’s exit status, and deletes old backups based on a specified retention period.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Example Script:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n
#!\/bin\/bash\n\n# Configuration\nSOURCE=\"\/path\/to\/source\/\"\nDEST=\"backup_user@backup_server_ip:\/path\/to\/backup\/\"\nLOGFILE=\"\/var\/log\/rsync_backup.log\"\nDATE=`date +%Y-%m-%d`\nHOSTNAME=$(hostname)\nRETENTION_DAYS=30  # Number of days to keep backups\n\n# Start backup\necho \"Backup for $DATE on $HOSTNAME\" > $LOGFILE\nrsync -avz --delete $SOURCE $DEST >> $LOGFILE 2>&1\n\n# Check if rsync is successful\nif [ $? -eq 0 ]; then\n    echo \"Backup completed successfully\" >> $LOGFILE\nelse\n    echo \"Backup failed\" >> $LOGFILE\nfi\n\n# Delete old backups\necho \"Deleting backups older than $RETENTION_DAYS days\" >> $LOGFILE\nssh backup_user@backup_server_ip \"find \/path\/to\/backup\/ -mtime +$RETENTION_DAYS -type f -delete\" >> $LOGFILE 2>&1<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
This script facilitates the synchronization of the “\/path\/to\/source\/” directory on your VPS with the “\/path\/to\/backup\/” directory on the backup server. Ensure to replace placeholders with precise values for the source and backup paths, username, and IP address of the backup server.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The script meticulously logs every action it takes, providing a straightforward means for debugging and monitoring the backup process. It verifies the exit status of rsync, logging any failures if the status is not equal to 0.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To enhance tracking, the script incorporates the date and hostname in its logs, which proves especially useful when managing multiple servers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Additionally, the script utilizes the find command to locate and remove files older than a specified retention period (in this instance, 30 days). The “-mtime +$RETENTION_DAYS” option in find identifies files modified more than $RETENTION_DAYS days ago, while the “-type f -delete” options instruct find to delete these identified files.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Make the Script Executable<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Set the script as executable with the command:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
chmod +x ~\/backup_script.sh<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Reference: https:\/\/www.veeble.org\/kb\/linux-file-permissions\/<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n
Automating Task Execution with Cron<\/h4>\n\n\n
To create a cron job, execute the following command to open the cron job editor:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
crontab -e<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Add or modify the line for your backup schedule:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
0 1 * * * \/home\/yourusername\/backup_script.sh<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Refer https:\/\/www.veeble.org\/kb\/cron-job-how-to-schedule-recurring-user-jobs\/<\/a> for modifying cron according to your choice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To confirm the addition of your cron job, you can view a list of your user’s scheduled tasks using the following command:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
crontab -l<\/code><\/pre>\n\n\n\n
Your script is set to execute automatically at the designated time specified in the cron job.<\/p>\n\n\n
Notes<\/h4>\n\n\n