Hi,

 

I'm in the process of setting up Duplicacy (Hotio's repository) for backing up files (family photos and videos,  documents etc) from my Unraid server.

 

The first to another NAS on my home network - this was straight forward and running wonderfully.

 

The second backup will be to my Google Drive. The setup of which seems straight forward so no concerns there.

 

My question is if I should run the Duplicacy container through a VPN for the remote backup? The backup itself will be encrypted in Duplicacy.

 

If it is best practise then I assume I can just utilise the VPN in Hotio's container with my PIA service?

 

Many thanks in advance,

James

Running a backup container like Duplicacy through a VPN for remote backups to Google Drive can be beneficial, but it’s not strictly necessary in all cases. Let’s break it down:

Why Use a VPN?

 

Enhanced Privacy: A VPN encrypts the traffic between your server and the Google Drive endpoint, preventing ISPs or other intermediaries from seeing your data (even though the backup is already encrypted).

 

Avoiding ISP Throttling: Some ISPs throttle traffic to cloud services. Using a VPN can help bypass such throttling.

Bypassing Geo-Restrictions: If Google Drive has any restrictions in your location, a VPN could help you access it seamlessly.

 

Considerations for VPN Usage

Backup Data Encryption: Since Duplicacy already encrypts the backup, the data is safe during transit. This reduces the necessity for a VPN unless you have specific privacy concerns.

 

Speed Impacts: A VPN can slow down your upload speeds, especially for large backups. This could lengthen the backup process significantly.

Google Drive's Trust Level: If you trust Google Drive’s encryption and infrastructure, and your Duplicacy encryption is strong, a VPN might be overkill.

 

Using VPN with Hotio’s Container

Hotio’s Duplicacy container does support VPN integration. Since you already have a PIA (Private Internet Access) subscription, you can configure it within the container.

Check the container documentation for instructions to enable and test VPN support. Ensure that the VPN is working correctly before initiating the backup.

*Docker compose plugin:
https://hotio.dev/containers/duplicacy/

 

Recommendations

If Privacy is Critical: Use a VPN. Set it up in the container with PIA and verify the VPN is active during the backup process.

If Performance is a Priority: Test the backup process without a VPN first. Given that the data is already encrypted in Duplicacy, this might suffice for most use cases.

Monitor for ISP throttling or connection stability issues, and switch to a VPN only if needed.

Thanks for the explanation bmartino1, this was exactly the clarity I needed! 🙏