How to efficiently use the 'duplicacy' command (with examples)

Duplicacy is a robust command-line tool designed to provide a lock-free deduplication solution for cloud backups. By supporting various storage backends and offering features like encryption, it caters to users who need a flexible and secure way to manage backups. With Duplicacy, users can effortlessly perform tasks like initializing backups, listing, restoring, checking integrity, and more across multiple storage solutions.

Initialize the repository with encrypted SFTP storage

Code:

duplicacy init -e snapshot_id sftp://user@192.168.2.100/path/to/storage/

Motivation:

The initial setup of a repository with an encrypted storage solution is crucial for users who prioritize security and privacy in their backup solutions. By utilizing SFTP (Secure File Transfer Protocol), the data is securely transferred over the network, and the encryption ensures that even if the data is intercepted or accessed, it cannot be read without the encryption password. This is a vital step for businesses and individuals managing sensitive data.

Explanation:

• duplicacy init: Initializes a new repository.
• -e: Enables encryption for the storage. A password prompt will ensure that the data is encrypted.
• snapshot_id: A unique identifier for this backup snapshot. It helps in differentiating between different backup sets.
• sftp://user@192.168.2.100/path/to/storage/: Specifies the SFTP URL pointing to the storage destination, including the user credentials and the storage path on the server.

Example Output:

Enter storage password:
Re-enter storage password to confirm:

Save a snapshot of the repository to the default storage

Code:

duplicacy backup

Motivation:

Regularly backing up your data ensures that you always have a recent copy available in case of data loss, corruption, or accidental deletion. This command captures the current state of the repository and saves it, allowing you to restore it in the future if needed.

Explanation:

• duplicacy backup: Triggers the backup process for the current repository. Without specifying additional parameters, it targets the default storage.

Example Output:

Backup for snapshot snapshot_id at revision 1 completed

List snapshots of the current repository

Code:

duplicacy list

Motivation:

Listing the available snapshots provides visibility into all the saved revisions and backup points of the current repository. This can be beneficial to verify backup consistency and to select specific points for restoration.

Explanation:

• duplicacy list: Lists all the snapshots related to the current repository, showing details like snapshot ID and time of backups.

Example Output:

Snapshot snapshot_id revision 1 created at 2023-04-16 09:00 -hash
Snapshot snapshot_id revision 2 created at 2023-04-17 09:00 -hash

Restore the repository to a previously saved snapshot

Code:

duplicacy restore -r revision

Motivation:

Having the ability to restore your files to a particular state in time is incredibly useful when dealing with data corruption, errors, or unintended changes. This command allows users to revert the current repository to a specified past snapshot.

Explanation:

• duplicacy restore: Initiates the restoration process.
• -r revision: Specifies the exact revision you want to restore.

Example Output:

Restoring snapshot_id at revision 1
Restoration completed

Check the integrity of snapshots

Code:

duplicacy check

Motivation:

Regular integrity checks ensure the consistency and reliability of the backup data. This command helps detect issues like data corruption early, allowing corrective steps to be taken before a critical need arises to restore from a compromised backup.

Explanation:

• duplicacy check: Commences an integrity check across all snapshots, verifying file contents and snapshot structure.

Example Output:

Snapshot snapshot_id at revision 1 is complete
All chunks referenced by snapshot snapshot_id at revision 1 exist

Add another storage to be used for the existing repository

Code:

duplicacy add storage_name snapshot_id storage_url

Motivation:

Adding multiple storage backends increases redundancy and flexibility in backup management. Users can distribute backups across various locations or service providers, enhancing data redundancy and disaster recovery strategies.

Explanation:

• duplicacy add: Adds a new storage to the existing repository.
• storage_name: A label to identify this new storage.
• snapshot_id: Specifies the snapshot ID this storage aligns with.
• storage_url: The location or URL of the new storage.

Example Output:

New storage 'storage_name' added

Prune a specific revision of snapshot

Code:

duplicacy prune -r revision

Motivation:

Efficient backup management often involves removing unnecessary data to optimize storage usage and costs. Pruning a specific revision helps clear outdated or unneeded backups, freeing up resources and maintaining relevant data.

Explanation:

• duplicacy prune: Engages the pruning process.
• -r revision: Targets the specific revision you wish to delete.

Example Output:

The snapshot snapshot_id at revision 1 has been pruned

Prune revisions, keeping one revision every n days for all revisions older than m days

Code:

duplicacy prune -keep n:m

Motivation:

Strategically managing retention policies enables users to balance between having enough historical data and optimizing storage space. Keeping one revision every n days for older backups ensures long-term visibility without cluttering storage with excessive snapshots.

Explanation:

• duplicacy prune: Initiates the pruning action.
• -keep n:m: A policy that retains one revision every n days for revisions older than m days to streamline storage management.

Example Output:

Pruned 3 revisions. Kept one backup per 7 days for all revisions older than 30 days.

Conclusion:

Duplicacy offers a comprehensive and versatile tool for managing backups with robust features like deduplication, encryption, and multi-storage support. Understanding these commands and their nuanced uses allows users to curate dynamic backup solutions that align with their specific needs and security requirements, ultimately providing ease of mind and data safety.