How Back-In-Time Works

Back-In-Time is a backup solution for GNU/Linux desktops that uses rsync and hard links to reduce space used for unchanged files.[1] It comes with a graphical user interface (GUI) and a command line interface (CLI).[1]

Versioning Mechanism

The versioning mechanism in Back-In-Time works by creating a snapshot of the files at a particular point in time. It uses rsync to take manual or scheduled snapshots and stores them locally or remotely through SSH.[2] Each snapshot is in its own folder with copies of the original files, but unchanged files are hard-linked between snapshots to save storage space.[2]

Hard Links and Storage

The use of hard links is crucial in reducing storage space. When a file remains unchanged between snapshots, Back-In-Time creates a hard link to the original file instead of duplicating it.[3] This means that removing old snapshots will not cause problems when restoring newer snapshots, as the unchanged files are still referenced by the newer snapshots.[3]

Modes of Operation

Back-In-Time supports several backup profile modes, including Local, Local encrypted, SSH, and SSH encrypted.[1] The Local profile stores backups on local drives or volumes, while the SSH profile stores backups on a remote host using the Secure Shell protocol (SSH).[1]

Key Features

Some key features of Back-In-Time include:

  • Backup and restore: Back-In-Time allows users to backup and restore files and folders.[1]
  • Versioning: Back-In-Time uses rsync and hard links to create snapshots of files at different points in time.[2]
  • Local and remote storage: Back-In-Time supports storing backups on local drives or volumes, as well as on remote hosts using SSH.[1]

Benefits

The benefits of using Back-In-Time include:

  • Efficient storage: The use of hard links reduces storage space required for backups.[3]
  • Easy restore: Back-In-Time allows users to easily restore files and folders from previous snapshots.[1]
  • Flexibility: Back-In-Time supports multiple backup profile modes, including Local and SSH.[1]

Back-In-Time versioning works by creating snapshots of files at different points in time, using rsync and hard links to reduce storage space. It supports multiple backup profile modes, including Local and SSH, and allows users to easily restore files and folders from previous snapshots.


Authoritative Sources

  1. Back In Time Documentation. [Back In Time Read the Docs]
  2. Back In Time. [Arch Linux Wiki]
  3. How does Back in Time back up work?. [Fedora Discussion Forum]

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