I second the use of rsnapshot. I been using since 2012. I have 7 daily, 4 weekly 4 and 3 monthly 3 backups. In the past I used rsnapshot to backup a single directory. You can also setup remote backups via ssh. Did that with my son's computer until he moved out. I've done several full system restores over the years. I most frequently use I use it for file recovery. Today, a few minutes ago in fact I restored six files I pulled an oops on.

[QUOTE=GazL;6494601]Misformed command: the wildcard is in the wrong place. Should be after the archive file. Also, use of "*" won't include any dot files.

Yup - sorry - I was just working from memory. As a rule, I would NEVER create a "dot" file if I had the choice - those are done by other programs for configs and the like. So "normal" names are what I'm generally interested in. But you are 100% correct. Could have done "* .*" I think I was just pointing out a rather simple command line technique that people like myself use on real production work servers daily - esp for quick+dirty backups.

I tend to rely on program that I KNOW are on EVERY version of Linux/Solaris/*bsd server. And that will almost always mean a non-gui one. Tar is a goto everytime. Zip/pax are a bit iffy. Rsync (wow - genius program) cuts most times - but not on esoteric old machines.

For data archiving I prefer dar over tar.

Some reasons given here. The author also has an article on the difference between backup and archival of data.

Useful dar tips and workflow here.

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