Skip to main content

Setting up backups with Duplicati

Duplicati is a free backup programme with a web interface for Windows, Linux and macOS. It performs encrypted, incremental and scheduled backups to S3-compatible storage.

Prerequisites​

  • S3 credentials and a Bucket, e.g. duplicati-backups
  • Duplicati installed; web interface accessible at http://localhost:8200

Create a backup job​

  1. In the web interface, select Add backup → Configure new backup.

  2. General: Assign a name (e.g. Server-Backup) and set a passphrase for AES-256 encryption.

    Achtung

    Without this passphrase, the backups cannot be restored. Keep it safe!

  3. Backup objective:

    • Storage type: S3-kompatibel
    • Server: custom → s3.internet1.de
    • Bucket name: duplicati-backups
    • Folder path: optional, e.g. server01
    • AWS Access ID / AWS Access Key: Enter your access credentials
    • Client library: If you encounter problems, switch between the Amazon AWS SDK and the MinIO SDK

    Check using Test connection. Confirm the prompt asking whether the bucket should be created (if it does not already exist).

  4. Source data: Select the folders to be backed up; you can use filters to exclude, for example, cache directories or *.tmp files.

  5. Schedule: e.g. every day at 02:00.

  6. Options:

    • Volume size: The default of 50 MB is usually sufficient; for very large amounts of data, consider 200–500 MB.
    • Retention: e.g. Smart retention or a fixed number/duration.

  7. Save and run the job for the first time by clicking Back up now.

Restore​

  1. Select Restore from the menu, then select the backup job.
  2. Select the desired version (point in time) and files/folders.
  3. Select the destination: the original path or a different directory; specify the overwrite behaviour.
  4. Start the restore.

Emergency (Duplicati installation lost): Install Duplicati on a new system and, via Restore → Directly from backup files, enter the S3 connection details including the passphrase – the backups in the bucket are sufficient for a full restore.

Recommendations​

  • Carry out test restores regularly.
  • Export the job configuration (Export → As file) and store it separately.
  • Database repair (Advanced → Database → Repair) helps if local metadata and bucket contents become out of sync.
Last updated on