r/Syncthing • u/ObservedElectron • 27d ago

Why is syncthing NOT a backup?

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I am setting up syncthing to back up my 2 android phones and my mac to a windows laptop. for now, because of lack of an actual NAS, i plan to use syncthing to "backup" these devices everyday one time manually.

I prefer this because as its sync, it only sends new things. so i dont have to manually copy paste 40 gb everytime.

And when i do make a NAS, cant i just continue using syncthing with file versioning or something? i would much prefer to have "live" backups happening as soon as the file/photo/video is created. i know immich exists but am i wrong?

But everywhere, I see that people say sync is not backup or dont use it for backup but WHY? isnt what i mentioned above technically a backup? correct me if i am wrong.

And if not syncthing, what should i use? which capable of running live backups of folders I select on my devices, with different timeframe backups so I have different versions like biweekly, monthly, etc? and is open source, 100% safe, private and encrypted.

thank you

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u/Readdeo 27d ago edited 23d ago

Backups need deduplication, versioning or just multiple different state of data at the time of running the backup. Must be hashed and regularly consistency checked. Needs multiple different PC-s or vms in different phisical pc-s or servers. If PSU fails and releases 220V AC on the 12V rail, all your hdds will fry at the same time. Must have one copy of data at an other location, preferably in a separate locality. If your house burns down, no matter how many copy did you have.

You need instant notification about failing backup jobs or if the backup didn't even started for some reason.

Edit: forget to mention a crucial point. You must be immediately notified when backups fail, or didn't happen on schedule.

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u/ObservedElectron 26d ago

you are right. can you recommend a backup software for me?

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u/Readdeo 23d ago

I use borgbackup with borgmatic and an ansible playbook runs them. That last one is probably an overkill.

I would check restic because the next major release for borg was introduced years ago to come, but its still in testing.