On 4/27/2011 10:40 AM, Adam Goryachev wrote:
>
>>>
>>> I've got a number of random people's home PC's that I backup (friends
>>> and relatives etc), and I'm wondering what methods people use to handle
>>> this sort of environment.
>>>
>>> My latest method is to use the following components:
>>> 1) dynamic DNS to find them
>>> 2) static IP on the machine
>>> 3) static port forwarding on their home modem/router
>>> 4) install and configure cygwin SSH and rsync (not rsyncd)
>>>
>>> This method works pretty well for backing up non-open files (ie, the
>>> users real documents/etc).
>>
>> Your step #4 I don't do, instead, I just copy a directory and use the open
>> file backup method outlined here:
>>
>> http://www.goodjobsucking.com/?p=62
>
> The first problem I see with this is that it requires the windows box to
> be completely visible on the public IP... or at least enough port
> forwarding as to expose the ADMIN$ share so that winexe can connect
> remotely and execute the pre-exec.cmd etc...
>
> I'd prefer to restrict the external visibility to port 22, and restrict
> that to key logins only...
>
> I can't be responsible for exposing peoples machines to attacks by
> worms/virus/hackers/script kiddies/etc...
>
> Certainly solves some of the software installation and open files backup
> though...
>
> Could that method be used over SSH? That would help the open files, but
> then lead back to the same installation problem of installing SSH and
> the service/etc...
>
> Suggestions/thoughts?

An easy solution would be to run openvpn or equivalent which also takes 
care of the DNS/dynamic IP issue on the client side since the vpn can 
assign fixed private addresses.  Openvpn works nicely over a single UDP 
port and is nat and port-forwarding friendly.  Or you could use some 
convoluted scheme of ssh port-forwarding to get the same effect through 
a scheduled ssh connection established from the client.

But running cygwin sshd should work if you go through some contortions 
to escalate privileges:

http://sourceforge.net/apps/mediawiki/backuppc/index.php?title=User_Scripts_-_Client_-_Windows_VSS
http://majentis.com/2011/01/03/backuppc-with-sshrsyncvss-on-windows-server/



-- 
   Les Mikesell
    lesmikesell AT gmail DOT com

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