borg create using all files

To perform a backup using Borg, a powerful and efficient deduplicating archiver, you need to understand how to use the borg create command effectively. Borg is widely appreciated for its advanced features like compression, encryption, and deduplication, which make it an excellent choice for managing backups.

Understanding the borg create Command

The borg create command is utilized to create an archive. This archive can include all specified files and directories, which makes it particularly useful for full backups. When you run this command, Borg recursively traverses all listed paths to collect files for the backup.

Command Syntax

The basic syntax for the borg create command is as follows:

borg create [OPTIONS] REPO::ARCHIVE PATH [...]

• REPO: The repository where your backup will be stored.
• ARCHIVE: A name or timestamp for the backup archive.
• PATH: The files or directories that you want to back up.

Creating a Backup of All Files

To create a backup of all the files in a directory, you might use a command structured like this:

borg create /path/to/repo::my-backup-$(date +%Y-%m-%d) /path/to/backup/

This command will create an archive named my-backup-YYYY-MM-DD in the specified repository, backing up all files found in /path/to/backup/.

Example Command to Backup Home Directory

If you want to back up your entire home directory, for example, you could issue the following command:

borg create /path/to/repo::home_backup_$(date +%Y-%m-%d) /home/username/

Important Options

• --compression: To enable compression, use options like --compression lz4. This reduces the size of the backup archive.
• --encryption: Use --encryption repokey to secure your backups with encryption.
• --exclude: To exclude certain files or directories from being backed up, such as virtual environments or temporary files.

Example Command with Options

borg create --compression lz4 --encryption repokey /path/to/repo::full_backup_$(date +%Y-%m-%d) /home/username/

This command will create a compressed and encrypted backup of your home directory.

Key Considerations

When using Borg to back up all files:

• Disk Space: Be aware of the available disk space in your repository, especially if backing up large files.
• Backup Frequency: Establish a backup schedule to minimize data loss. Borg supports incremental backups, which means it only backs up changes made since the last backup.
• Testing Restores: Regularly test restoring from your backups to ensure data integrity and familiarize yourself with the restoration process.

Comprehensive Documentation

For further details and advanced features, you can refer to the official Borg documentation, which provides in-depth examples and explanations on utilizing the software effectively: Borg Official Documentation.

Conclusion

Using borg create to back up all files is a straightforward process that can be tailored with various options to suit your needs. By leveraging its powerful deduplication and compression capabilities, Borg ensures that you can manage your backups efficiently and securely. Remember to regularly check and update your backup strategies to align with best practices in data protection.