Backup Local Folder on ownCloud using rsync

Overview

To back up a local folder on ownCloud in Ubuntu, we use rsync, a powerful file synchronization tool. The command ensures efficient data transfer while preserving file attributes.

Installing ownCloud Client (If Not Installed)

To install the ownCloud client, run:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install owncloud-client

Sync Local Folder with ownCloud

• Open ownCloud Client (owncloud command if running from the terminal).
• Login to your ownCloud server.
• Click "Add Folder Sync Connection".
• Choose your local folder and map it to the ownCloud directory.

Using rsync for Backup

To manually back up a folder to ownCloud, use the rsync command:

rsync -avz /home/vatan.kumar201/gunnerroofing/ /home/vatan.kumar201/ownCloud/gunnerroofing
 
rsync -avz /home/vatan.kumar201/lth/ /home/vatan.kumar201/ownCloud/lth/

Explanation of Options:

• -a (Archive mode) → Preserves file attributes like timestamps, permissions, symbolic links, and directories.
• -v (Verbose mode) → Displays detailed output of the transfer process.
• -z (Compression) → Reduces data transfer size by compressing files during transfer.

Automate Backup with Cron

To automate the backup process, add a cron job:

crontab -e

Then add the following lines to schedule backups every night at 2 AM:

0 2 * * * rsync -avz /home/vatan.kumar201/gunnerroofing/ /home/vatan.kumar201/ownCloud/gunnerroofing
0 2 * * * rsync -avz /home/vatan.kumar201/lth/ /home/vatan.kumar201/ownCloud/lth/

Verify Sync

To check if the files are correctly synced, use:

owncloudcmd --status /home/vatan.kumar201/ownCloud/

Conclusion

Using rsync with ownCloud ensures that your local folders are backed up efficiently while maintaining file integrity. Automating the process with cron further simplifies the task. 🚀