CopyRat -- simple backup app

[dhouston]

I've reviewed this thread but have not downloaded the app so my questions may be obvious to others.

I keep all of my software development files (PB plus two microcontroller compilers) and PCB layout files on Network Attached Storage so I can access them from any of several networked PCs (Windows, Linux, Mac).

Daily, I would like to copy any that have changed to a USB thumb drive and to the HDD on my main Windows machine (from whence I can then backup to cloud storage using the cloud service software). I would like to do this automatically at a scheduled time. I've had two NAS units die on me (their real business seems to be file recovery starting at thousands of dollars per NAS failure) - losing a lot of work each time because my manual backups were not recent enough.

Can CopyRat do this? If not, are you still considering release of your source?

[Amundo]

Hi Dave,

Sorry to hear of your troubles.

Seeing as you already have "several networked PCs (Windows, Linux, Mac)", is an option to setup your own (cheap) RAID array off one of these machines, and dump the NAS?

On the automated backup side, running CopyRat with an input JBS file in batch mode, kicked off by Windows scheduled task would do the job (have not used it in batch mode - yet).

P.S. Interesting projects on your website.

[dhouston]

Seeing as you already have "several networked PCs (Windows, Linux, Mac)", is an option to setup your own (cheap) RAID array off one of these machines, and dump the NAS?

Windows 7 and all of the Linux "machines" are really one machine. I use swappable HDDs to swap operating systems which is one more reason to have a central storage method so all are working with the same source, etc. Using NAS (RAID 1) which all "machines" can see with no setup seems much simpler. And the last NAS was still under warranty. Here's a link to the (discontinued) HDD housings...

• http://www.directron.com/rh17.html

As for the web site, most of the projects are dormant as I've had major health issues for the past couple of years.

[kenmo]

Dave:

1. CopyRat can copy to HDDs, USB drives, SD cards, etc. as long as they are accessed as any normal "letter" drive. For example I typically use it copy files on my laptop's C: drive to my external F: drive. (Really, it's based around PB's CopyFile() command - if that works between drives, this should work between drives.)

2. I haven't used a NAS unit, not sure how you access it... like a simple network mapped path? Or is it more complicated (hostnames needed or something?) Again, if PB's basic CopyFile, FileFingerprint, etc. commands work, CopyRat should work. Might as well test it out on some small folders.

3. There is no built-in scheduling feature, but like Amundo said, you could either save your backup jobs to a file and schedule that, or use a commandline/batch script.

4. The only reason I'm reluctant to release the source is that I would want to tidy it up, make it more readable, and comment it more. The source is one standalone file, only ~2000 lines, but since it started as a personal tool and I kept adding features, it's not the most friendly code in the world... But I could release it soon enough.

[dhouston]

kenmo,

My NAS drives just had IP addresses so access was fairly straightforward under Windows. Some of the Linux versions were a bit more complex but I was able to create desktop shortcuts for most while with some l accessed it via the Places menu. The Macs were the most complicated, requiring numerous mouse clicks for the first access after each boot. My first was a D-Link which I got about the time they were introduced. it was only 20GB but was more than adequate for my needs. The second was a 1TB (2x500GB) Iomega, half of which was setup as a RAID drive to backup my main Windows PC and half was just for network accessed storage. The Iomega ran Linux and I think the D-Link did also. Both died after power failures. Since both had their own power supplies made by D-Link and Iomega, I think it's a design flaw to not make the PS sacrificial and isolate the drive. I've never lost a HDD that was in a PC due to a power failure or brownout.

I should be able to address it as \\nas\public\... or via its IP address - I'm waiting for a replacement unit in order to test. For this purpose, it will run from an XP machine. I've been considering writing my own backup app and I may still do that since yours is a bit more generalized than what I need. Thanks.

[crossrad]

Just a quick note to say that CopyRat is great - all the essential features are there. Backup software sold with certain external HDs doesn't have the "Delete Orphans" feature with the result that they become full of obsolete junk and need to be reformatted. The scripting capability allowing an arbitrary mixture of GUI usage and text editing the .jbs file is excellent. I think there are many individuals and businesses who back up by manually copying data that could benefit from this program.

[blueb]

Great first post crossrad... I agree !00%. I've been using it since Ryan introduced it, and it's a great tool.

[Kuron]

Indeed, great little utility!

[kenmo]

Hey thanks for the nice words!

CopyRat seems like ancient history to me (4-5 years ago). I could re-write the whole thing more user-friendly and add some features now... but honestly it has been serving its purpose with no changes since 2011. I'm glad to hear other people find it useful too!

[davido]

@kenmo

CopyRat looks good, where may I obtain a copy?

[Kuron]

I used to use it heavily and loved it, but needed some features it didn't have and had to move to something else since I couldn't tweak Rat for my needs. Great program though.

[kenmo]

@kenmo

CopyRat looks good, where may I obtain a copy?

Currently here (version 0.99)

[davido]

@kenmo,

Thank you, very much.

[firace]

Looks like a nice tool (haven't tried it yet), but why does it ask for admin rights?
Usually this type of file copying tools don't require admin rights, or am I missing something?

[Tenaja]

Hidden files?