matrix-docker-ansible-deploy/docs/configuring-playbook-backup-borg.md

# Setting up borg backup (optional)

The playbook can install and configure [borgbackup](https://www.borgbackup.org/) with [borgmatic](https://torsion.org/borgmatic/) for you.
BorgBackup is a deduplicating backup program with optional compression and encryption.
That means your daily incremental backups can be stored in a fraction of the space and is safe whether you store it at home or on a cloud service.

You will need a remote server where borg will store the backups. There are hosted, borg compatible solutions available, such as [BorgBase](https://www.borgbase.com).

The backup will run based on `matrix_backup_borg_schedule` var (systemd timer calendar), default: 4am every day.

## Prerequisites

1. Create a new SSH key:

```bash
ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -N '' -f matrix-borg-backup -C matrix
```

This can be done on any machine and you don't need to place the key in the `.ssh` folder. It will be added to the Ansible config later.

2. Add the **public** part of this SSH key (the `matrix-borg-backup.pub` file) to your borg provider/server:

If you plan to use a hosted solution, follow their instructions. If you have your own server, copy the key over:

```bash
# example to append the new PUBKEY contents, where:
# PUBKEY is path to the public key,
# USER is a ssh user on a provider / server
# HOST is a ssh host of a provider / server
cat PUBKEY | ssh USER@HOST 'dd of=.ssh/authorized_keys oflag=append conv=notrunc'
```

## Adjusting the playbook configuration

Minimal working configuration (`inventory/host_vars/matrix.DOMAIN/vars.yml`) to enable borg backup:

```yaml
matrix_backup_borg_enabled: true
matrix_backup_borg_location_repositories:
 - USER@HOST:REPO
matrix_backup_borg_storage_encryption_passphrase: "PASSPHRASE"
matrix_backup_borg_ssh_key_private: |
	PRIVATE KEY
matrix_backup_borg_location_source_directories:
  - "{{ matrix_base_data_path }}"
```

where:

* USER - SSH user of a provider/server
* HOST - SSH host of a provider/server
* REPO - borg repository name, it will be initialized on backup start, eg: `matrix`
* PASSPHRASE - passphrase used for encrypting backups, you may generate it with `pwgen -s 64 1` or use any password manager
* PRIVATE KEY - the content of the **private** part of the SSH key you created before

`matrix_backup_borg_location_source_directories` defines the list of directories to back up, `{{ matrix_base_data_path }}` is the base directory for every service's data, such as Synapse, Postgres and the bridges. You might want to exclude certain directories or file patterns from the backup using the `matrix_backup_borg_location_exclude_patterns` variable.

Check the `roles/matrix-backup-borg/defaults/main.yml` file for the full list of available options.

## Installing

After configuring the playbook, run the [installation](installing.md) command again:

```
ansible-playbook -i inventory/hosts setup.yml --tags=setup-all,start
```