OFF TOPIC is for things NOT related to rclone
I was using b2 and was pretty satisfy until I try to do a restore using a drive that they ship and realized that they go out of their way to make impossible to use Linux.
So I am looking for another option for offsite backup. I looked at jotta but the fact that you sync (meaning that if you delete in the site it got deleted from the computer is a show stopper)
Is there a service that you recommend?
Hmmm,
I have two Cloud drives that I use for storing documents. And I synchronize them both to a third as a method of backup.
I used to do it manually with rclone. Now I use a service called multcloud. They synchronize my data from the first two Cloud drives to the third cloud drive automatically on a regular schedule and none of the data goes down and up my internet at home which I need because i only have one terabyte capacity per month for up and down.
Personally I use and have been happy with for years backblaze. Just switched to b2.
I really like two things about backblaze.
The second choice I would recommend is Mega S4. I was a beta tester for that product and I found it to work extremely well and fast.
I know 2 people happy with idrive s3
welcome to the forum,
just curious. if the drive is just set of files, why is it impossible to use linux?
rclone sync does not delete source files
When I say they go out of their way, they really go out of their way. I do not even know how they implement some of the stuff they use:
a) If you are using Linux when you connect the device you cannot mount it. You can not even see it on KDE or Gnome, nor mounting it using the command line. You can see it on /dev/. Using a VM does not recognize the drive neither
b) Some times they told me that you use their program to unencrypte the zip file (program that just works on Windows or Mac). Sometimes they tell me that they use the mechanism on the zip format. I was unable to get the file so I do not know what is the case
Like 1TB, and they do not support HTTP cont so good luck downloading without the computer going to sleep. Also you can only use FF, edge or Chrome (the 3wc will be so proud) so you cannot use a text based browser.
That is my situation. Luckily most of it are my music files
the problem is that erase the file on the site erase it on the computer. Not a good backup plan
as mentioned, rclone sync does not delete file on the source
i would recommend hetzner storage box, supports, sftp, webdav, smb|samba, ssh and more.
in addition, i rent a cheap cloud vm in the same data center and mount the storagebox.
install tailscale and emby, for a cheap media server.
or
amazon s3 deep storage at about $1.00/TiB/Month.
i use that to store large veeam backup files that i plan to never access.
Hi,
Regarding backblaze shipping you a hard drive. When you request the drive you have to request the file system that you want or need and the most universal file system that can be read by a Mac by Linux and by Windows is NTFS so what you need to do with that company when you request a drive request it in NTFS format.
Additionally, you have to make sure that you do not use server side encryption on your bucket.
DID SOME RESEARCH
It turns out that for security and safety purposes the drive that they send you no matter what it's formatted as has a backblaze encryption lock on the drive and there is a recovery code in your account that you need to unlock the drive.
My research also suggested that if you have Linux if you can you should first connect the drive to either a Windows or a Mac computer because both of those are autoplay where you plug them in and you'll get a pop-up box asking you for the recovery code and it will unlock the drive. After the drive is unlocked you can plug it into Linux and it will look just like a regular drive with all the files on it.
They do not support that feature in Linux.
They're suggestion and I agree is to install virtual machine software on your Linux machine and I would highly recommend VMware Workstation Pro over virtualbox regarding the connection of USB drives. Virtualbox can be a little tricky where is VMware Workstation Pro is very straightforward and it's free so there's no reason not to use that. You just need to download windows iso and install the virtual machine with Windows and use it just long enough to do the unlocking of the drive.
Here are my notes and research.
If you tried and did not succeed with virtualbox I would recommend trying VMware Workstation pro. If you can't find the free download let me know and I will post the links. You will need to create your own login to the company website in order to open the link to download the software but it's free.
How to unlock a Backblaze recovery drive.
Here is more specific information regarding where in your backblaze account you find your recovery code for the drive.
Here is one of the reasons why you'll have difficulty with linux. They typically use Western Digital hard drives that come with a hidden partition that contains the software that unlocks the drive and it's only compatible with Windows and Mac
Apparently they do this in case the drive gets lost during shipping. No one who recovers your drive can access your data without your recovery code.
they do not communicate any of that, when you order a drive they do not ask if it is windows or mac. Do you work for them?
Do you know why they do not support HTTP Cont, if you have to download 1TB is a good idea, and it is supported for Apache.
No, I do not work for them but I have however been a customer of theirs for more than 20 years.
I started with them before B2 storage. They have a single computer backup product and you buy that for about $8 a month and it will back up one computer and you can put as much stuff on there as you want you could hang a dozen hard drives off the computer and it will back them all up for $8.
My understanding is they do support HTTP control but it must be done through https.
If you are using Linux: The "HTTP Control" you are looking for actually exists in the B2 service itself. You can use tools like rclone to achieve exactly the level of programmatic, HTTP-based control you want, completely bypassing the need for physical hardware or the proprietary software that causes these compatibility issues.
Here is where the confusion starts. What the company does is they analyze what operating system type you're running because you have installed the single computer backup software on your computer. When using that software they know whether you're using Windows Linux or Mac. Now, because you are a B2 customer you don't fall into this category. If you don't tell them they have no way of knowing what you need. The question is how are you supposed to know that?
To order a restore drive, you must go through the Backblaze Web Console while logged into your account. There is no direct "public" link to a checkout page because the order process is tied to your specific account data.
How to access the restore menu:
Sign in to your account at https://secure.backblaze.com.
For Personal Backup: Click View/Restore Files in the left-hand navigation menu.
For B2 Snapshots: Click Snapshots in the left-hand navigation menu under the B2 Cloud Storage section.
Select USB Hard Drive: Once you are in either the "View/Restore Files" or "Snapshots" section, you will see an option to choose a restore method. Select USB Hard Drive.
From there, the interface will guide you through selecting the specific files or snapshot you want to put on the drive and prompt you for the shipping and payment details.
Separation of Concerns
Backblaze separates its services into two distinct categories:
API-Based Access (B2): This is where you do have full control via standard protocols. You use HTTPS (secure HTTP) via the B2 Native API or the S3-Compatible API to push/pull data. This is how you should handle Linux environments, as you have total control over the software stack (rclone, etc.).
they do not
they do not support Linux for this product
They are really confuse. Why that have to do with restoring file?
so you are doing free advertisment
They are crap. If you go throw their very narrow path they might work but it you deviate even a millimeter from that path not only they do not support you, they work against you.
PEOPLE SHOULD AVOID THEM LIKE A PLAGUE
I have also been a customer of them for 20+ years. They were reasonably good until I need them
@LeoW, all that is very interesting.
Thanks.
Rclone gets heavy use from me. I use NSSM software to create rclone services that connects my cloud drives when I log in.
I have also used all of the graphical user apps. I gave some feedback to the folks at rcloneview and they were nice enough to reward me with a free lifetime license for one computer. Not a perfect app but hopefully it will get there someday.
I actually learn a lot while providing open source technical support. I try and give back to a few communities.
I store all the answers to questions in either Joplin or Obsidian. That way I don't have to repeat my research or answers..