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Creating Rsync Tasks

  4 minute read.

Last Modified 2022-05-19 10:42 EDT

Users often have to copy data to another system for backup or migrating to a new system. A fast and secure way of doing this is by using rsync. These instructions assume that you are using TrueNAS systems for both sides of the rsync task: Host and Remote.

Basic Requirements

Rysnc requires a dataset with the needed data on the Host or Remote system. Rsync provides the ability to either Push or Pull data. When using rsync to Push, data copies from a Host system to a Remote system. When using rsync to Pull, data is pulled from a Remote system and put on the Host system.

The Remote system must have the rsync service activated. TrueNAS has additional requirements depending on if you choose the Module or SSH rsync mode.

Creating a Module Rsync Task

Module Requirements

Before you create an rsync task on the Host system, you must create a module on the Remote system. When TrueNAS is the Remote system, create a module by going to Services and clicking for the rsync service. Click the Rsync Module tab, then click ADD.

Module Mode Process

Log in to the Host system interface, go to Tasks > Rsync Tasks, and click ADD.

TasksRsyncTasksAddModeModule

Select the source dataset to use with the rsync task and a user account to run the rsync task. Choose a direction for the rsync task.

Select a schedule for the rsync task.

Next, enter the Remote Host IP address or hostname. Use the format username@remote_host when the user name differs on the Remote host. Select Module in the Rsync Mode dropdown. Enter the Remote Module Name as it appears on the Remote system.

Configure the remaining options according to your specific needs.

Unsetting Enabled disables the task schedule. You can still save the rsync task and run it manually.

Creating an SSH Rsync Task

SSH Requirements

The Remote system must have SSH enabled. To enable SSH in TrueNAS, go to Services and toggle SSH.

The Host system needs an established SSH connection to the Remote for the rsync task. To create the connection, go to System > SSH Connections and click ADD. Configure a Semi-automatic connection and set Private Key to Generate New.

Go to the Shell on the Host system. When a TrueNAS account other than root manages the rsync task, enter su - USERNAME, where USERNAME is the TrueNAS user account that runs the rsync task. Enter ssh-keygen -t rsa to create the key pair. When prompted for a password, press Enter without setting a password (a password breaks the automated task). Here is an example of running the command:

truenas# ssh-keygen -t rsa
Generating public/private rsa key pair.
Enter file in which to save the key (/root/.ssh/id_rsa):
Created directory '/root/.ssh'.
Enter passphrase (empty for no passphrase):
Enter the same passphrase again:
Your identification has been saved in /root/.ssh/id_rsa.
Your public key has been saved in /root/.ssh/id_rsa.pub.
The key fingerprint is:
SHA256:NZMgbuPvTHeEqi3SA/U5wW8un6AWrx8ZsRQdbJJHmR4 tester@truenas.local
The key randomart image is:
+---[RSA 2048]----+
|      . o=o+     |
|     . .ooE.     |
|      +.o==.     |
|     o.oo+.+     |
|     ...S+. .    |
|    . ..++o.     |
|     o oB+. .    |
|    . =Bo+.o     |
|     o+==oo      |
+----[SHA256]-----+

The default public key location is ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub. Enter cat ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub to see the key and copy the file contents. Copy it to the corresponding user account on the Remote system in Accounts > Users. Click EDIT and paste the key into SSH Public Key.

Next, copy the host key from the Remote system to the Host system user .ssh/known_hosts directory, using ssh-keyscan.

On the Host system, open the Shell and enter ssh-keyscan -t rsa {remoteIPaddress} >> {userknown_hostsDir} where remoteIPaddress is the Remote system IP address and userknown_hostsDir is the known_hosts directory on the Host system. Example: ssh-keyscan -t rsa 192.168.2.6 >> /root/.ssh/known_hosts.

SSH Mode Process

Go to Tasks > Rsync Tasks and click ADD.

TasksRsyncTasksAddModeSSH

Configure the SSH settings first by selecting SSH in the Rsync Mode dropdown and entering the Port number and Remote Path.

Next, define the Source dataset for the rsync task and select an account in User. The name in User must be identical to the SSH Connection Username.

Choose a direction for the rsync task, either Push or Pull, and define the task Schedule.

Next, enter the Remote host IP address or host name. Use the format username@remote_host if the user name differs on the Remote host. Configure the remaining options according to your specific needs.

Unsetting Enabled disables the task schedule without deleting the configuration. You can still run the rsync task by going to Tasks > Rsync Tasks and clicking , then RUN NOW.

Rsync Service and Modules

The rsync task does not work when the related system service is off. To turn the rsync service on, go to Services and toggle rsync. See ConfiguringRsync for more information on rsync configuration and module creation.