I want to keep a relatively fresh backup of my dual-boot laptop onto a 2tb NAS box that I connect to through NFS. I've done all my backups with dd so far and that works great if it's a one time backup only but an incremental, updated one won't work with that. Rsync seems to be the best tool for this but it's a bit complicated. So far, by reading the manual I've got this:

Does this look right? I'm not entirely sure about the -HAX and the link preservation. What I want to be able to do eventually is to be able to copy both the XP partition and the linux one onto the box, do incremental updates on them and if something breaks, be able to reverse the backup into the original partitions.

At the very least be able to fully copy the XP partition and it's data (binaries and configuration), the linux partition's binaries and configuration and if need be, somehow reinstall the particular distro and copy the binaries and confs into it.

I understand what you mean about figuring out rsync. The command is so versatile and has so many possible arguments that finding the right combination can be overwhelming.

For backing up my own laptop, I use something much simpler:

I've found that adequate for my needs as a home user.

Rsync is definitely complicated. Do your backups work in reverse? Meaning, in case of file corruption or disk failure, would you be able to do rsync /[destination] /[source] and have a working system? Or would you have to transfer all your data by hand? Also, without --delete doesn't your incremental backup get larger with files that don't exist in the source anymore?

Yes, you will most likely want the "--delete" option.

One thing to keep in mind is that rsync won't backup your MBR. So if you really screw up and wipe your MBR you will have to fix that yourself.

That's precisely why I don't use delete mode. Files I may no longer need on my laptop can stiff be found on my file server. There's ample HDD space over there.

Every six months or so, I go through the backups and clean out the dustbunnies.