Full Linux System Backups with the dd_image.sh Script – Compressed, Remote, Automated

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Repository: https://github.com/andreas-schwab-swx/dd_image

If you’re looking for a simple yet powerful solution for full disk image backups on Linux, the dd_image script offers a versatile tool: it creates complete disk images, compresses them on-the-fly, and transfers them automatically via SSHFS to a remote server – with logging, retention logic, and optional notifications.

Features at a Glance

  • Full disk backups using dd
  • On-the-fly compression with xz
  • Remote storage via sshfs
  • Automatic cleanup of old backups
  • Progress monitoring and detailed logging
  • Prevents concurrent runs using a lock file
  • Optional email notifications on success or failure
  • Optional zero-fill for better compression

Requirements

  • Root access to a Linux system
  • Installed tools: sshfs, xz-utils, mailutils (optional)
  • SSH access with key authentication to the backup server
  • Sufficient storage space on the remote backup target

Installation and Configuration

Clone the repository and configure the script:

Bash
git clone https://github.com/andreas-schwab-swx/dd_image.git
cd dd_image
cp config.example.sh config.sh
nano config.sh

In the config.sh file, you configure SSH access, the backup destination, the disk device (/dev/sda, /dev/nvme0n1, etc.), retention period, logging options, and email addresses.

Install the script:

Bash
chmod +x deploy-script.sh
sudo ./deploy-script.sh

The script is installed to /usr/local/sbin/dd_image.sh, logs are saved in /var/log/dd_image/, and configuration files are located in /etc/dd_image/.

Run Backup Manually or via Cron

Run manually:

Bash
sudo /usr/local/sbin/dd_image.sh

Weekly cron job (e.g., Sunday at 2:00 AM):

Bash
sudo crontab -e
0 2 * * 0 /usr/local/sbin/dd_image.sh

Optional GitHub Actions Integration

For automated updates via CI/CD, you can use the included GitHub Actions workflow file (.github/workflows/deploy.yml). SSH access to the server and defined secrets in your repository (HOST, USERNAME, SSH_KEY) are required.

Performance Tips

  • Block size: bs=32M (recommended for systems with 8 GB+ RAM)
  • xz threads: -T2 (for systems with 4 vCPUs)
  • Compression: -3 (default), -5 for better compression
  • Memory limit: xz is limited to 4 GiB to prevent RAM overload

Conclusion

The dd_image script is ideal for anyone looking to create full system backups without relying on complex tools or graphical interfaces. Its combination of live compression, remote storage, and optional automation provides a solid foundation for any Linux backup strategy.

More information and source code: https://github.com/andreas-schwab-swx/dd_image

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