Differential Backup and Hardlinks to a Full Backup
This guide shows you step by step how to set up two profiles to perform a space-saving differential backup using hardlinks. The result: Each backup generation appears as a full copy but requires significantly less storage space.Backup Concept
This strategy requires two separate profiles:- Profile 1: Full Backup
Executed once (e.g., on Mondays) and creates a complete copy of all data. - Profile 2: Differential Backup with Hardlinks
Executed regularly (e.g., Tuesday to Friday) and backs up only modified files. Unchanged files are created as hardlinks to the full backup.
Profile 1: Full Backup
This profile creates the initial full backup and resets the archive attribute of the source files.1. Create Profile
- Create a new profile.
- Cancel the profile assistant if it appears.
- Enable the expert view.
2. Configure Profile
- Select Copy Mode from the menu.
- Select the copy mode '1:1 Copy'.
- Select File Attributes from the menu.
- Enable the options 'Modify source file attributes' and 'Clear archive attribute'.
- Select Folders from the menu.
- Add the folder containing the data to be backed up to the source folder list.
- Add the destination folder for the full backup to the destination folder list.
3. Save Settings
- Save the settings using the OK button.
Profile 2: Differential Backup with Hardlinks
This profile creates the ongoing backups using hardlinks.1. Create Profile
- Create a new profile.
- Cancel the profile assistant if it appears.
- Enable the expert view.
2. Configure Profile
- Select Copy Mode from the menu.
- Select the copy mode 'Backup'.
- Select Copy Rules from the menu.
- Enable the copy rule 'Copy only files with archive attribute set'.
- Select Folder Options from the menu.
- Enable the option 'Delete empty folders created during copy operation'.
- Select Backup Options from the menu.
- Enable the option 'Create differential backup based on full backup' and select the folder where the full backup is stored (destination folder of Profile 1).
- Enable the option 'Create hardlinks'.
- Enable the option 'Create backup folder in destination'.
- Enable the option 'Create backup generations' and define the number of backups (e.g., 4 for Tuesday to Friday).
- Select Folders from the menu.
- Add the folder containing the data to be backed up to the source folder list.
- Add the folder where the backup folders should be created to the destination folder list.
3. Save Settings
- Save the settings using the OK button.
