burp
Lightweight client/server network backup and restore tool with librsync deduplication, TLS client authentication, and Windows and Unix clients.
burp is a client/server network backup and restore program for Unix-like servers, with clients for Linux, BSD and Windows. Backups travel over TLS with per-client SSL certificates and built-in CA tooling (burp_ca), and scheduled runs are driven by server-side timers: clients periodically poll the server, which decides when each one actually backs up.
Storage on the burp server is deduplicated with librsync deltas, and the storage layout mirrors the client's file tree using hard links for unchanged data, keeping repeated backups compact without a separate dedup layer. Client-side encryption can be enabled in the configuration for sensitive environments.
Compared with Commvault, burp is deliberately minimal: no web console and no agent management suite, just text-file configuration, a CLI, and cron-style scheduling, with a Windows installer and scheduler task for Windows clients. The documentation covers automatic client upgrades and bare-metal restore procedures for Windows and Ubuntu, and the codebase has been actively developed since 2011 as a compact, scriptable alternative to heavier network backup systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which platforms does burp support?
The server runs on Unix-like systems, with source builds or packages for the Debian/Ubuntu and RHEL/CentOS families. Clients exist for Linux and BSD via package managers or source, and Windows via a downloaded installer that registers a scheduler task.
How are backups scheduled in burp?
The server sets timer rules per client, and clients periodically poll the server - from cron on Unix or the Windows scheduler task - to check whether it is time to back up. Forced manual backups run with the burp -a b command.
How does burp handle encryption?
All client-server communication is TLS-encrypted using an SSL certificate per client, with the burp_ca utility managing the certificate authority. Client-side file encryption can be enabled through the client configuration for extra protection.
Can burp restore a full machine after failure?
Yes. The burp documentation includes step-by-step bare-metal restore guides for Windows and Ubuntu, walking through booting replacement hardware and restoring the system from the burp server.
How does burp manage client upgrades?
A built-in autoupgrade mechanism pushes new client versions from the server, so administrators can update Linux and Windows clients without touching each machine individually.
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Updated 9/28/2026, 5:01:06 PM
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