1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.

Networks FTP backup over 3G

Discussion in 'Tech Support' started by Nealieboyee, 19 Sep 2014.

  1. Nealieboyee

    Nealieboyee Packaging Master!

    Joined:
    14 Aug 2009
    Posts:
    3,821
    Likes Received:
    456
    Hi All,

    We have an ftp server setup at the office. We are trying to a daily backup of a single file to that server using a 3g dongle. I was using cobian backup but it seems to be intermittent. If I run the task manually it works. On the schedule, it works sometimes.

    Is there a more reliable automated method?

    If it matters, I have firewall rules on the client side blocking all ports incoming and all ports outgoing except port 21 for FTP. This is because windows services are eating the data on the dongle.

    Thanks
    Betty
     
  2. phuzz

    phuzz This is a title

    Joined:
    28 May 2004
    Posts:
    1,712
    Likes Received:
    27
    What are you uploading the file from? If it's Windows or Linux you could write a script that would keep trying to upload until it worked, and run that as a scheduled job.
     
  3. Nealieboyee

    Nealieboyee Packaging Master!

    Joined:
    14 Aug 2009
    Posts:
    3,821
    Likes Received:
    456
    Its from Windows FTP server (also windows). I've thought about using a script with scheduler, but the thing that bugs me is WHY its failing. All the usernames and passwords are correct. Its passive, if that makes a difference. I read somewhere that filezilla server has random errors from time to time. Not sure if thats true.
     
  4. Jim

    Jim Ineptimodder

    Joined:
    2 Sep 2007
    Posts:
    311
    Likes Received:
    7
    I have spent many miserable hours in the past trying to debug inexplicable Filezilla failures.
     
  5. Nealieboyee

    Nealieboyee Packaging Master!

    Joined:
    14 Aug 2009
    Posts:
    3,821
    Likes Received:
    456
    Did you end up using another software? If so, which?
     
  6. Jim

    Jim Ineptimodder

    Joined:
    2 Sep 2007
    Posts:
    311
    Likes Received:
    7
    Afraid not - it was a short-term thing for work that was eventually binned altogether and I think resulted in a proprietary solution.
     
  7. Pookie

    Pookie Illegitimi non carborundum

    Joined:
    4 May 2010
    Posts:
    3,565
    Likes Received:
    172
    How much data are you backing up?
     
  8. lp rob1

    lp rob1 Modder

    Joined:
    14 Jun 2010
    Posts:
    1,530
    Likes Received:
    140
    The problem with FTP is that it is an all-or-nothing protocol. If the transfer of a large file is interrupted, the whole file needs to be re-transferred, not just the bits that weren't copied successfully. I'd use rsync instead, since it can do exactly that - it only transfers the changes made to a file rather than the whole file. It also means your backup will use less bandwidth.
     
  9. Nealieboyee

    Nealieboyee Packaging Master!

    Joined:
    14 Aug 2009
    Posts:
    3,821
    Likes Received:
    456
    Its a database file, so its increasing steadily in size. At the moment its 4MB.

    I'll look into that thanks!
     
  10. Pookie

    Pookie Illegitimi non carborundum

    Joined:
    4 May 2010
    Posts:
    3,565
    Likes Received:
    172
    Just use Dropbox?
     
  11. Nealieboyee

    Nealieboyee Packaging Master!

    Joined:
    14 Aug 2009
    Posts:
    3,821
    Likes Received:
    456
    I was considering that this morning, but the client doing the uploading of said 4mb file only has 150MB of data per month. I'm trying to figure out a way to limit dropbox data usage. The problem is if someone edits the file on the other end, then it gets synced again and again.
     
  12. Pookie

    Pookie Illegitimi non carborundum

    Joined:
    4 May 2010
    Posts:
    3,565
    Likes Received:
    172
    They could easily disabe the dropbox service and start it when needed. Once it's uploaded the backup just disable it again. For each backup they could just create a new folder with the date as the name. Pretty simple I think.
     
  13. Nealieboyee

    Nealieboyee Packaging Master!

    Joined:
    14 Aug 2009
    Posts:
    3,821
    Likes Received:
    456
    Simple for us, yes. But we are dealing with complete laymen who can barely use a computer. I'm automating as much as possible. It took a week to teach them how to copy a file to a usb stick.

    Strangely, I increased the timeout periods in Cobian backup so that it wouldn't timeout due to slow 3g connection and it seems to be working, at least on one of the computers. Its done 8 backups in a row without failing.

    With my luck, as soon as I take it back to site its going to fail.


    Will update the thread after seeing how it performs.
     
  14. Pookie

    Pookie Illegitimi non carborundum

    Joined:
    4 May 2010
    Posts:
    3,565
    Likes Received:
    172
    I feel your pain :D Fingers crossed you have solved it anyway :thumb:
     

Share This Page