Tech Log-automated backup infrastructure set up for 3 machines
Tech Log Entry — Three-Machine Automated Backup Infrastructure (or, OpenSSH + sshfs + rsync Across Windows and Linux) Background and Context This entry documents the design and implementation of a fully automated backup system spanning all three machines in my homelab LAN: one Windows 11 desktop ([desktop]) and two Linux Mint laptops ([laptop #1] and [laptop #2]). All three machines are connected via a dedicated gigabit switch on an isolated local subnet, separate from the home Wi-Fi network. The goal was to have nightly automated backups from all three machines land on a single large external hard drive ("Coffee Canister", 14.5TB) attached to [desktop] — without any manual intervention, without data leaving the LAN (indeed, without involving the internet at all), and with appropriate security restrictions between machines. Prior state before this session: [desktop] had automated local backups via FreeFileSync (documented in a previous entry) [laptop #1] and [laptop #2] had ...