I am starting to put together a command to backup my system. Right now I am having a hard time figuring out how to make rsync accomplish root privileges on the server.

Here's my setup and situation:

Linux Mint 18.3 Cinnamon
4.13.0-41 kernel

- My server doesn't allow root login (for security)

- I have my private keys active so no password needed to ssh

- I can't access the destination folder (on server) without root access. I don't want to change permissions. I have been using sudo -s for the very rare case that I need to access it through the CLI.

I am standing on other people's shoulders with how far I have gotten. I can't find much on the subject since 2012 so that tells me people must have found a better way to do it

I left off with this command:
Please know at this point I am just guessing, LOL! I started with a few lines from 2010 and I have been reading up and playing with the results.

If anyone could help me out, I would appreciate it. I know there is probably an easier way (something more GUI) but I enjoy learning the CLI so I KNOW what is going on and can have more control.

Thank you for your past help and future help!!

~T

That command line is incorrect, and I do not really understand what was your plan with that.
To do the job I would rather suggest you to use rsync protocol (instead of ssh). You need to set up an rsyncd on that server and "share" the directory you want to rsync.

Here is a tweaked form. It won't run as-is.

You'll have to build up the arrangement between the two machines in several steps. That will include adjusting /etc/sudoers on the remote machine, as well as locking down that specific key once you have things figured out.

Also, the -z might slow things down or it might speed things up. However, for most binary data it will be irrelevant.
And mind the closing / on the directory paths. They are important.

In this bit of code --rsync-path='sudo rsync' did you try --rsync-path='sudo /the/full/path/to/rsync'

And now I remember I had to do something with sudo and rsync in the past when I was using "dirvish" for backups, you may find the following useful reading:

http://dirvish.org/pipermail/dirvish...ne/000387.html

OK.
It is probably not what you are looking for, but here is my backup script:

~/scripts/{username}-backup.bash

which calls the root shellscript

sudo /root/scripts/backup.bash

the main script is:

#!/bin/bash
rsync --archive --delete --verbose --progress --stats /home/kevin /home/BACKUP2/
rsync --archive --delete --verbose --progress --stats /boot /home/BACKUP2/
rsync --archive --delete --verbose --progress --stats /var /home/BACKUP2/
rsync --archive --delete --verbose --progress --stats /etc /home/BACKUP2/
rsync --archive --delete --verbose --progress --stats /opt /home/BACKUP2/
rsync --archive --delete --verbose --progress --stats /home/VDO /home/BACKUP2/
rsync --archive --delete --verbose --progress --stats /root /home/BACKUP2/
rsync --archive --delete --verbose --progress --stats /usr /home/BACKUP2/
rsync --archive --delete --verbose --progress --stats /bin /home/BACKUP2/
rsync --archive --delete --verbose --progress --stats /lib /home/BACKUP2/
rsync --archive --delete --verbose --progress --stats /lib64 /home/BACKUP2/
rsync --archive --delete --verbose --progress --stats /sbin /home/BACKUP2/
rsync --archive --delete --verbose --progress --stats /home/VIDEO/ /home/BACKUP1/


OK. It is not as efficient as it can be, but it works for me, AS LONG AS ALL THE NAMED DRIVES ARE MOUNTED!!!!!

Suggest looking at rsnapshot, which uses rsync but also provides a configuration file to define what to backup and when.
Here's a snippet from the rsnapshot log file that shows what happened this morning:
As you can see, this uses ssh, and the remote server has passwordless connection setup

Sorry for not being able to keep up with this post today, I got busy with regular work.

Just to make it clear- I am trying to gain "root" access on my server. I have disabled root login and I have switched from using a password to using SSH keys. The goal is to be able to log in to my server, access a file folder that requires root access (sudo -s), and copy a backup from my desktop to said folder. I am pretty new to rsync, so please have patience with my lack of knowledge.

Pan64- Yes, I understand the command is incorrect. I pulled a similar command from online and was playing around with it to try and see how to manipulate it to work for what I am needing. I had been reading and trying things for a few hours before posting up with what I had left off with.

Turbocapitalist- Thank you! I will be reading the link after posting this....

TenTenths- Are you talking about the path to the rsync command itself or the path to the file I am trying to rsync to? Thank you, I will be reading about Dirvish about this post as well.

Kevinbenko- Thank you! Actually seeing how other people run commands helps me learn faster than starting at page one in the book and learning the history of the command inventors childhood. LOL! I am just better at hands on learning. My ADD kicks in about page 3 and I have to start practising what I am reading about.

scasey- Thank you Sean! I have it opened in another tab and will read up on rsnapshot after this post.

Habitual- Yes, I was scanning through this last night (and this morning).

Thank you all! The biggest problem I am running into is setting this up to save on a server that requires root access to even see the files. I know it can be done and I also realize that I am not the first to ever do this either

Off to read up some more!


~T

again, use rsync protocol and rsyncd, all of the login/ssh/sudo related problems will disappear.....

Thank you! I will dive into this once I get changed out of my work clothes. I've had a Monday for a Wed :/

I appreciate the help!

~T

Reading up on rsyncd and it doesn't appear to be encrypted, is that correct? I need to have this traffic encrypted...

Thanks!

~T

yes, you need to use ssh tunnel together with rsyncd - if you wish encrypted communication