rdiff-backup is a popular, free, open source mirroring and incremental backup system for posix based operating systems like linux & Mac OS X. It uses rysnc algorithm through librsync but it doesn't use rsync. The documentation of rdiff-backup focuses on push model for backup where client machines pushes their backup data to backup server. This model is problematic when the backup server is on a well protected secure network behind a firewall. Client machines on external servers cannot easily connect to a machine behind firewall without punching a hole which reduces security of the system. A better alternative is to use the pull model where the backup server requests for backup from client machine, at regular intervals, over secure ssh connection.

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In the process of mirroring Fedora Core updates repository over a slow (256 Kbps) connection using rsync, I realized that the process can be extremely frustrating as you spend lots of time looking at the console, waiting for something to happen…anything. Then I found the magic option to show a progress meter - –progress. Add this to your rsync command options and you can see in realtime the status of your download, the current connection speed etc. While it will not speed your downloading it will at least make the pain bearable.

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