Which is a better easy to use free solution to take remote backup of my linux server.

I'm aware of dd, tar , rsync, partimage and how i can create my backup scripts with cron. I have shared a partition using samba on a remote machine where i will backup my server. I then mount that samba share locally on the Linux server.

Now,
If i do rsync it will not preserve file ownership/permission.
If i do tar it won't backup correctly because the partitions are mounted especially the "/var" partition
If i do dd & partimage then same problem of mounted partitions.

I know Windows/Linux softwares like Acronis True Image which is not free that can make perfect image of mounted partition.

Please suggest

TIA

You might want to investigate mondoarchive. I use it monthly, however, my experience is limited to burning to CD's. It does, on the menu, allow backups to mounted hard drives, so maybe that's viable. Also, remember that cp -arvf WILL preserve permissions, ownership, etc.