rsnapshot-timestamp

Rsnapshot wrapper using timestamps as snapshot directory names

rsnapshot-timestamp completely replaces rsnapshot's rotation and cleanup. It makes use of the sync_first option, calls rsnapshot sync, then copies the .sync directory to the current timestamp, and cleans up old snapshots. The cleanup occurs based on values specified in rsnapshot.conf retain settings. Due to the way the cleanup works, the names of the retain periods are no longer arbitrary.

Quick Start

• Change your 'retain' periods to these values, which mean what they say:
  • hours
  • days
  • weeks
  • months
  • years
• Enable sync_first
• Ensure link_dest is disabled
• Replace rsnapshot calls with rsnapshot-timestamp
  • On your shortest duration rsnpashot, now use rsnapshot-timestamp sync
  • Remove longer duration rsnapshot calls

Usage

rsnapshot-timestamp [-vt] [-c cfgfile] [rsnapshot_options] sync

rsnapshot-timestamp passes the entire argument string on to rsnapshot. Just call it exactly like you would rsnapshot, but ONLY ever with sync as the last parameter. rsnapshot-timestamp understands rsnapshot's -c, -t, and -v options, and uses them in the same way rsnapshot does.

Example rsnapshot.conf

config_version	1.2
snapshot_root	/.snapshots/
cmd_cp	/bin/cp
cmd_rm	/bin/rm
cmd_rsync	/usr/bin/rsync
cmd_ssh	/usr/bin/ssh
cmd_logger	/usr/bin/logger
retain	days	7
retain	weeks	4
retain	months	12
sync_first	1
backup	/etc/	localhost/
backup	/usr/local/	localhost/
backup	/home/	localhost/

Example crontab

# Default rsnapshot entries disabled
#30 2   1 * *   root    /usr/bin/rsnapshot monthly
#0  3   * * 1   root    /usr/bin/rsnapshot weekly
#30 3   * * *   root    /usr/bin/rsnapshot daily
# Rsnapshot-timestamp handles sync, rotation, and cleanup in one go
30 3    * * *   root    /opt/rsnapshot-timestamp/rsnapshot-timestamp sync