Backup to server using Automator?

Has anyone had success setting up an Automator workflow which will automatically backup to a networked server? I've downloaded the 'backup folder' action and have also managed to get a workflow to connect to the server, but the solution still eludes me!

Any bright ideas anyone???

Hi,

I haven't used the "Backup Folder Action" myself but I shall download it and have a look...

From what to what are you backing up, if you see what I mean...

Mac to PC, Mac to Mac...

Are you trying to do a full Backup or just an Incremental Backup...

Regards

Ric

Thanks Ric, I'm trying to backup from a G5 to a networked linux server.

The backup action:
http://www.automatorworld.com/archives/backup-folders/

I'm new to Automator but surely this must be possible - I can already connect to the server using Get specified URL>Connect to specified server, but I'm not clear about how to set the rest up. I want to do an incremental backup (I assume this only replaces altered files), set up automatically via an iCal alarm (I've read this is the way to schedule it). It's a shame BackUp doesn't work with servers...

many thanks for the offer of help

Stan

Hi Stan,

First go to the source and check that you have the latest version.

If you download it from there you get a few Sample workflows and quite a good readme...

The way I read it...

1) Get Specified Server -Your Server

2) Connect to Server

3) Unlink Action 2 and 4 -very important !

4) Get Specified Finder Items (in here add in two folders-depending on what you set, the first will be the source "the folder to get backed up" and the second will be "where it gets backed up to")

5) Backup Folder Action


Just doing a quick video aid...

regards

Ric

Hi Stan,

watch the movie, here

Depending on how you set up your keychain the Server request...etc shouldn't show, have left them in for visual puposes...

Instead of using the get specified server-->connect to server...you can replace those two with a Get Specified Finder items--> an Alias of the folder where you are backing up to !

regards

Ric

Hi Ric

It's getting close but not quite working yet. I think I need to start with 'get specified url', then 'connect to server', (with your way it's asking me for the server address half way through). It connects fine to the server using above method - I can see the connection appear on my desktop. The problem is that it seems to forget the location of my backup folder on the server once it's disconnected. My backup folder loses it's path within 'get specified finder items', but having said that it has created the 1st subfolder of the work folder I wish to backup - it is however empty, and I received this error message:

'Applescript error. Finder got an error. An item with the same name already exists within the destination (-15267)'

Perhaps it's all working but can't write to that folder for some reason?

...scratching my head ...

Stan

oops, I'll watch the video now - thank you!

Stan

Wow, thanks for the movie - that's what I call 'service'!

I've a feeling I have a problem writing to the server - getting some strange error messages. When i do it manually now I'm getting errors because of filename too long / unsupported characters. I've no idea why as it's a linux server and I'm on a mac! I'll have another look through your method and get back to you.

thanks again

Stan

No problem !

regards

Ric

Hi Ric

I followed your video step by step. I'm still getting a strange error -
'Applescript error. Finder got an error. An item with the same name already exists within the destination (-15267)'
Any ideas about this glich?
Also, by entering my user:password within the URL I can connect straight to the server (without clicking 'connect'). Still doesn't get me there though!

Will perservere

Stan :)