How to make a backup on Linux with LuckyBackup?

Linux is a fairly stable system and many people who use it attest to that. However, as with any system, it is possible that it may fail and we may have to reinstall. In this case, the main damaged the stored information. To avoid this, it is recommended that periodically, back up the system, so that if required, we have everything safe. So, today you will learn how to make a backup on Linux. For it, we will use LuckyBackup.

To make a Backup, LuckyBackup is the right choice

On Linux, the main backup tool is rsync. It’s too efficient to do it, but it’s used from the terminal. If we use a home or production server, using rsync from the terminal would be ideal. On the contrary, if you have Ubuntu or Linux Mint or you are simply starting to use Linux, it is convenient to use a program that does this without major problems.

So, LuckyBackup is a program that provides a graphical interface to rsync. It has lots of options and all of them give us flexibility when creating a backup.

To install it, just go to the download section and look for the one corresponding to our system. In my case, I’m doing it from Ubuntu 18.04. Then proceed to install from the terminal with gdebi or double click to invoke the installer.

After that, launch it from the main menu.

So, we can start to create a backup on Linux.

Make a backup with LuckyBackup

Creating a Task

By default, LuckyBackup can be run as a regular user or as the root user. The differences are mainly in the permissions that the application can obtain to access certain files.

So, if you want to make a backup of a folder or several of your personal user, you can run it in normal mode. However, if you want to create a backup of the whole system, you have to open it as root user and you will be asked for the password.

To perform a backup, the program calls it “task”. Then, we have to create a new Task.

Clicking on the “add” button will open a window where you can define the basic parameters of the task. There you will be able to give it a name and define the directory to which you are going to make the backup and where you are going to place it. To define the folders, you can click on the button next to the text fields. In addition, you can define how many snapshots you want to save.

Advanced options for making a backup on Linux

Easy, is not it? But that’s not all if you click on the Advanced button. You will be able to access the advanced options. Do it, and you will see the following.

The first tab is very easy. There only, you can add a description. Something that will help you to remember in the future the intention of that task.

The next one is Exclude. In it, you will be able to define which folders you want to exclude from the backup. By default, the program includes some proposals.

However, we can add our own directories so that they are excluded. Click on User Defined.

Then click on the button next to the Add button. The image is of white and pink squares. The following window will be displayed:

Click on the button next to the directory text field to choose the directory you want to exclude. Then click Ok. And click on the Add button to finally add the directory to the exclude list.

More options to create a good backup on Linux

The next tab is Include. In it, you can add the directories you want. It works the same way as Exclude.

If the backup is through the network. In the Remote tab, you can configure the connection parameters.

After that, you can check the Command options tab. There you will have other interesting options to prepare the backup on Linux. For example, there you can decide if you want to keep the file permissions (recommended), add compatibility for FAT 32 file systems or prevent duplicates files in the destination.

The last tab is Also Execute. This to perform tasks parallel to rsync.

Validate and create the backup on Linux

Once you have finished defining your options. You can validate the settings made for errors or incompatibilities. Click on the Validate button.

As you can see from the picture, everything went well. In addition, you will see the command generated by rsync and you can copy or save it for later use.

Then, press Ok. Add the task and if you want to start doing the backup, select the task and click on the Run button. If you want to do a previous simulation, check the Dry option and then click Run.

And that is it.

Conclusion

Backing up is very important today. For it, we have in Linux a great tool like LuckyBackup and today you have learned how to make one.

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