How to back-up/snapshot a Debian installation?

[johnflamar]

Hi all,

As it took me quite a bit of time and research to configure my Debian installation to my taste, I'd like to create a snapshot of it. The official Debian documentation contains a script for that purpose on https://www.debian.org/doc/manuals/secu ... ot.en.html

But as far as I understand this script writes data to a floppy disk, which I do not have. As a newbie I'm not quite ready to modify scripts to use other - more modern - devices. So I wonder, what methods do other Debian users use to create a back-up of their system? Or what method would you recommend for novices?

Cheers,
johnflamar

PS:
1. If at all possible, I'd prefer not to use a solution based on sector by sector copying (in order to save disk space).
2. The notebook has a cd-rom drive, so the back-up doesn't have to be created from a system that is live.

[sunrat]

I use fsarchiver from a separate multibooted system to an external USB HD. You could instead use it from a live USB distro such as PartedMagic. It compresses well and doesn't copy empty space.
I hear Timeshift is quite popular and easy to use, and is also available in Debian repo - https://wiki.debian.org/timeshift

[johnflamar]

Cheers, @sunrat , that's useful information. I suppose I will use fsarchiver, as it doesn't require to be set up when I use PartedMagic.

[bester69]

Cheers, @sunrat , that's useful information. I suppose I will use fsarchiver, as it doesn't require to be set up when I use PartedMagic.

fsarchiver is best choice.. Ive always used fsarchiver..it never fails on restoring system; very easy to use (back and restoring process) and backup never gets corrupted

[stevepusser]

There is an AppImage of the MX Snapshot tool that should let you make a bootable and installable ISO of your present system: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8y_mL2Sctc

[rodvitner]

I use Timeshift.

[cds60601]

Monthly clonezilla here along with daily tarballs of /etc/, /root, /home

[bester69]

Monthly clonezilla here along with daily tarballs of /etc/, /root, /home

In my opinion and experience, these are best options clearly:

for rolling back to previous state (home, etc, root) : btrfs (snapshots)
for data home daily backup : borg
for system backup: fsarchiver or btrfs
for cloud backup: borg + duplicity (backend rclone)

[bester69]

I use Timeshift.

Use btrfs with Timeshift or btrfs + snapper-gui

[cds60601]

for data home daily backup : borg

This Borg you speak of, looks interesting. New project for this evening.

UPDATE: While interesting and may very well be a practical in most cases, this was not a good fit for my workflow and environment.
Still - a very good choice to consider.