Windows

comp-backup is a backup script, that by default runs once per day and makes a backup to a server (backup.compute.dtu.dk) hosted at DTU Compute. The backup is based on the rclone tool and data on the server is encrypted with a key kept on the backup client. DTU IT Support has a copy of the key. Names of files and folders are not encrypted but obscured.

Backup will be done even when the client is not connected to the DTU network (no VPN required). However, it is required to be connected to the DTU network during the setup.

The server has daily snapshots (a snapshot is a copy of the filesystem on the server as it looked at a specific time) and keeps them for up to one year. It is possible to restore from those snapshots, using the comp-backup.bat program with argument -r (i.e., comp-backup.bat -r).

Requirements: the client should be a member of the DTU Active Directory and the user must log on to the client with DTU credentials.

Installation

Each user must manually set up the backup program. Be sure that you are connected to DTU network (either physically or via VPN) and go to \\nas1.compute.dtu.dk → util → comp-backup

and run the command install.bat

The installer will ask you for your DTU password and will ask you to disable the old robocopy based backup immbackup.

comp-backup is self-contained in the c:\users\USER-NAME\comp-backup (i.e., executables/scripts, configuration files, log files) except that the path environment variable is set to include this folder and a scheduled job comp-backup is defined.

Configuration

Once installed, you should have a look at c:\users\USER-NAME\comp-backup\filter.txt to see what is included in the backup. If no changes are made to the file, it might get updated automatically later.

By default the backup program is scheduled to run once daily between 12:00 and 12:30. To adjust, start the Windows Scheduler and look for the task comp-backup.

How to check if it is running, what is backed up

Look in c:\users\USER-NAME\comp-backup\logfiles

where there is a logfile for each run (file name indicates when it ran).

How to restore

To restore:

1. Look in c:\users\<your user name>\comp-backup\logfiles to see which snapshot has the file you want to restore from
2. Start a powershell or CMD from the start menu
3. In the Powershell/cmd command type comp-backup.bat -r
4. To do the actual restore (from the same powershell/cmd terminal as previous step) type something like: rclone copy compbackup:Users/alice/Documents/Myproject c:\Users\alice\Documents\Myproject_restore

Common questions

How to restore from a different machine?
If you still have access to the backup client (i.e., the machine that did the backup) you must manually copy the rclone.conf file to the new client. If you don't have access to the old client, you must contact itsupport@compute.dtu.dk.

Can the OneDrive folder be included in the backup?
Yes. However, the backup will force the OneDrive client to download all files to your local C: drive, which potentially could use a lot of space.

Can I take a backup of multiple drives on my laptop (e.g., a d: drive)?
Not in the current version.

Can I do a manually initiated backup?
Yes, run the script comp-backup.vbs

How do I uninstall it?
Remove the scheduled job comp-backup, remove c:\users\USER-NAME\comp-backup from your path and remove the folder c:\users\USER-NAME\comp-backup and its content.

comp-backup gives an error with files/folders with long names?
Yes, because of the encryption, file/folder names are limited to 143 chars. Either rename or exclude them via the filter.txt.

I don't see any notification that the backup completed successfully or failed
Most likely it is because your Do not disturb mode is on in your notification area. Check in c:\Users\USER-NAME\comp-backup\logfiles to make sure that it is running.