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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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Resume work from backup on another device? (feddit.org)

submitted 2 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

12 comments fedilink hide all child comments

I use 2 different computers in 2 different locations both running Universal Blue.

I was wondering if there is any way to create a backup system where i could backup Computer1 over the internet to Computer2 and continue work like nothing happened with all the user data and installed applications being there. The goal is to only need to transfer the user data/applications and no system data (that should be the same for both because of Ublue, right?), to keep the backup size small.

To be clear, i need help figuring out the backup part, not the transfering over the internet part.

If I were to backup the directories on Computer1, which store user data, with for example borgbackup, could I restore them on Computer2 and have a working system? Or would there be conflicts because of more low level stuff missing like applications and configs? Which directories would I need and which could be excluded?

Is there a better option? Any advice is appreciated!

I also came across btrfs snapshot capabilities and thought they could possibly used for this. But as far as I understand it, that would mean transferring the whole system and not only the data and applications. Am i missing something?

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[–] [email protected] 17 points 2 months ago (3 children)

two ways syncthing

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

or 3 way with an always on server (like a raspi or cheapest VPS with just enough storage) so that you don't have to have both computers on at the same time (thats what I am doing currently and it works great).

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago

I use syncthing for this purpose all the time. I seemlessly move from my work PC, home PC or laptop. I sync my data directories and most of my config settings. some are different per system (monitors, etc). 10/10 highly recommend

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 months ago (1 children)

Question if you don't mind: is it theoretically possible to use syncthing on the root directory of a given arch install, somehow blacklist hardware specific components, and basically have a running clone between both systems? I've never heard of syncthing before this but it sounds intriguing

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

I am not sure technically, but even if possible it would be a nightmare of resolving conflicts manually, since a lot of system files are constantly written to and read from and it would mess everything up if syncthing is overwriting the file at the same time.