Where Is the rsnapshot Config and Snapshot Root?
rsnapshot main config file and snapshot root folder paths on Linux for rsync based backup jobs. Covers defaults.
Last updated
rsnapshot keeps one config file that defines everything. That file is /etc/rsnapshot.conf with intervals, backup points, and the snapshot root. Tabs separate fields, spaces break the parse, so edit carefully.
Snapshots land under the snapshot_root with hourly, daily, and weekly folders using hardlinks. Each interval rotates into the next on schedule. Back up the config with the snapshot tree. The config alone rebuilds schedules without history. Link destinations share unchanged files automatically. Verbose flags debug skipped backup points.
Where rsnapshot stores this, by platform
/etc/rsnapshot.conf
Intervals, backup points, and snapshot_root for all jobs. Uses tabs between fields. Test changes with rsnapshot configtest before relying on them.
/var/cache/rsnapshot (snapshot root)
Hardlinked hourly and daily folders per interval. Size for several full copies despite hardlink savings. Copy with rsnapshot idle for consistency.
Frequently asked questions
what do i back up for an rsnapshot server move
Copy /etc/rsnapshot.conf with the snapshot root contents. The config holds intervals and backup points. Snapshots use hardlinked hourly and daily folders. Both restore the schedule.
where is the rsnapshot snapshot root folder
Open rsnapshot.conf and read the snapshot_root line. Common spots are /var/cache/rsnapshot and /backups. The config is the reliable pointer since defaults vary by distro.
Notice an outdated path? Let us know.