Hello everyone!

I have a small OrangePi running some small services on it (some with Docker and some without Docker).

And I’d love to know how do you backup your single-board computers.

Do you just rsync the system to a storage server ? Do you plug in a USB drive and rsync on it ? Do you save only the important data or the whole system ?

For now my SBC is not backed-up and I’d like to get a good backup solution up and running quickly! (I don’t trust SD cards to last long…)

I have access to USB drives and disks and also another big server with 20TB of storage which I can make the backup to if needed!

Thanks for your help !

  • KalciferEnglish
    5·
    11 months ago

    The fact that it’s a “single board” computer, specifically, is mildly irrelevant, imo; just follow standard backup practices. The only way the type of computer really comes into question is whether or not it has adequate resources to run whatever backup solution that you choose. For my usecase, Borg works great, but choose whatever solution fits your requirements. The “simplest”, and lightest solution is probably rsync, but that may leave a lot to be desired.

    • bartolomeo@suppo.fiEnglish
      3·
      11 months ago

      SBCs often run on sd cards or emmc modules so there are other possibilities than a standard desktop computer.

      • KalciferEnglish
        1·
        10 months ago

        […] so there are other possibilities than a standard desktop computer.

        Would you mind elaborating? I’m curious to know what you’re referring to.

        • Darkassassin07@lemmy.caEnglish
          3·
          10 months ago

          Copying the entire drive into a bootable backup using tools like dd is more feasible when you’re whole fs is only 8-16gb.

          Larger systems often require more selectivity or more sophisticated methods to reduce output size.

          You can also pull the card occasionally and backup via another system easier. Some people like this route.

          • KalciferEnglish
            1·
            10 months ago

            Fair points! I hadn’t considered these nuances.

        • bartolomeo@suppo.fiEnglish
          11·
          10 months ago

          Re:

          The fact that it’s a “single board” computer, specifically, is mildly irrelevant

          • KalciferEnglish
            1·
            10 months ago

            Did you forget to complete your reply, or did it perhaps glitch out?

            • bartolomeo@suppo.fiEnglish
              1·
              10 months ago

              Haha sorry mate I must have assumed you had your mind reading hat on. Basically what darkassasin said above.