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Backup using Areca

These notes describe how to setup backups using the UW.Areca backup software

Making a Backup Job

Instructions:

• Create a new target, you will need to give it a name, and tell it where to store the backups
  • If you don't know what any of the Repository options mean, use 'Local Repository'
• In the section labelled 'Compression', enable the option: Add '.zip' extension to filenames
  • If you want to recover your files later, this option is a must
• In the section 'Filters', add the filter: Locked file filter
  • This needs to be added, the backup will abort midway through if you forget this
• Finally, in the 'Sources' section, you can tell Areca where to find the files you want backed up
• When you are done, press the Save button to save the target

Scheduling Backups

Whether you are using Windows or Linux, you will need to use the wizard: Generate backup shortcut
On Windows this will make a .bat file, and on Linux it will make a .sh script.

Scheduling a Task on Windows

Open the Microsoft Management Console.
It can be found by right clicking 'My Computer', and selecting 'Manage'

Inside the management console, open the Task Scheduler.
Create a new Task, using the following example as a guideline.

Suggested task settings:

• General
  • [*] Run whether user is logged in or not
  • [*] Run with highest privileges
• Trigger: On Idle
• Action: Run the .bat file we made earlier

Scheduling a Task on Ubuntu or Debian

Replace the first line of the script with #!/bin/sh
Rename the script: Remove the '.sh' at the end of the filename.
If you are an advanced user, raising the nice value of the backups is recommended.

Copy the script into a cron folder

• available folders:
  • /etc/cron.hourly
  • /etc/cron.daily
  • /etc/cron.weekly
  • /etc/cron.monthly

Cron won't run unless the machine is on at the scheduled time!

• 17th minute of the hour for cron.hourly
• 6:25 AM everyday for cron.daily
• 6:47 AM every Sunday for cron.weekly
• 6:52 AM on the 1st of every month for monthly