Déjà Dup

Exactly when do scheduled backups happen?

Asked by Zack Weinberg

My computer is generally only on when I'm using it. If I set deja-dup to do backups at some interval, how do I know when the computer needs to be on so that the backup happens?

Question information

Language:
English Edit question
Status:
Solved
For:
Déjà Dup Edit question
Assignee:
No assignee Edit question
Solved by:
Stefan A Keel
Solved:
Last query:
Last reply:
Revision history for this message
Best Stefan A Keel (sak102010) said : 		#1

Hey Zack,

I thought I'd try and answer your question as best as I'm able. From what I can tell, DejaDup has a little monitor built in that checks for last time your back up was performed. If it's been longer than the duration you've set in your preferences, then DejaDup will run a back up.

For example, say an incremental back up took place on 09 September 2010, at 11:30 AM. If you have your preference set to "Daily," DejaDup will check each day at 11:30 AM to see if a back up needs to take place. If your computer is turned on at 11:30 AM on 10 September 2010, then DejaDup will go ahead and perform the next incremental back up. If, however, you don't turn your computer on until 2:30 PM, then DejaDup will notice that it's past time for a back up to take place, and go ahead and do one. On 11 September 2010, DejaDup will then check at 2:30 PM, and so on.

Basically, DejaDup is smart enough to know that your computer wasn't turned on, and will do a back up first thing if it's needed.

At least this is my rough understanding, based on my observations of my own back up files. Michael may be able to give a better answer.

Hope that helps.

Sak.

Revision history for this message
Zack Weinberg (zackw) said : 		#2

That's not ideal from my perspective - it's basically always going to happen first thing, then; the disk is already being thrashed when I log in, let's not add more to it. But thanks for the explanation.