I recently switched to iDrive for my backup needs but couldn’t work out how to get it running on Linux. iDrive provide a series of scripts for Debian machines but this is obviously no good for non Debian systems (using Nixos here). I read about a method of hacking the scripts so they think you’re running Debian, but this didn’t work. Anyway, I eventually figured it out and thought I’d share the workaround here in case it’s useful to anyone. The solution is to use Distrobox. Just set up a Debian box there and run the scripts as described. It took me 2-3 goes to get the dependencies installed but now it’s all great and working as intended. Good luck, fellow iDrive users.
You could’ve used rclone?
I didn’t look much into this. I think (but could very well be wrong) that it only works with their S3/E2 packages. And I wanted all the config options provided by the official scripts.
Honestly I would personally use a DIY solution. There are plenty of Linux backup tools and you can always encrypt and upload to a external source
I’m not that tech savvy, and iDrive is cheap 🤣
You can get the scripts and use them directly. See https://www.idrive.com/readme for details. You don’t need Distrobox or anything else.
I have this working on Fedora no problems. Also their customer service is fully supportive and able to answer questions regarding Linux if you need help too, they may even alter the scripts for you if it isn’t working on Nixos if you ask nicely.
Yeah I think it works on Fedora ok. I spoke to customer service, but they told me I was out of luck with Nixos.
Glad to see you found a solution then that works.
To use the native scripts I guess you’d probably have to package it correctly to work with Nixos as it needs Perl which I didn’t consider earlier.
Hehe ^^ I would never have thought of dockerizing my stupid backup-scripts although i work with container-stuff fairly often.
I’ve never dared to try anything other than debian based distros though.
Is that a common approach for non-debian people?
I think the common approach would be to just alter or rewrite the scripts if they are open. Shouldn’t be difficult.
The scripts are loooooooong. And the main problem for me is that Nixos doesn’t use the FHS, so it’s difficult to use standard .deb files.
Wait…the scripts work for iDrive personal? For some reason I thought they were for the e2 storage.
Yeah, the personal backup and sync. Sorry, I didn’t think to make it clear.
No worries at all. You just helped me make a decision. I’ve been an iDrive customer for years but recently switched to Linux for my primary OS and thought I was out of luck regarding the 5TB for $79/yr plan. So I’ll have to investigate further.
Oh cool. For some bizarre reason iDrive ask you to email them to get the link for the scripts. But you can get them here: https://www.idrive.com/online-backup-linux-download So just download the scripts, install Distrobox, and pull the Debian 12 image. Then enter the Distrobox Debian and navigate to the scripts. Change the permissions (chmod a+x *.pl) and execute the account_settings.pl script. I think I got an error about perl, but I just installed it myself (sudo apt install perl) and carried on. I think I might have had another error at some point but I just ran it again and it all pulled through properly. And now my Distrobox is on my iDrive dashboard and everything works properly. Just remember that if you reboot you might need to go back into the Distrobox and execute account_settings.pl again, but because everything’s already installed it will just ask you to login, and that’s it - you’re back online. Good luck!
Oh, I’m running Pop!_OS so it’s running just fine. But like I said, I had it mixed up in my head that it was only e2, not their personal tier. But this is great. Thanks!
