---
title: Nextcloud Backup
description: Native + Kopia
published: true
date: 2026-02-20T04:19:28.405Z
tags: 
editor: markdown
dateCreated: 2026-02-14T23:52:25.405Z
---

---
title: Nextcloud AIO Backup and Recovery Guide
description: Comprehensive backup and recovery procedures for Nextcloud All-in-One using native BorgBackup and Kopia offsite storage
published: true
date: 2026-02-17
tags: nextcloud, backup, borgbackup, kopia, docker, aio
editor: markdown
---

# Nextcloud AIO Backup and Recovery Guide

## Overview

This document provides comprehensive backup and recovery procedures for Nextcloud All-in-One (AIO). Nextcloud AIO includes a **built-in BorgBackup solution** that runs daily automated backups. We enhance this with Kopia for offsite storage in vaults, following the same two-tier approach used for Mailcow and Immich.

## Quick Reference

### Common Backup Commands

```bash
# Run Kopia snapshot script (snapshots AIO's backups)
/opt/scripts/backup-nextcloud.sh

# Manually trigger AIO backup via web interface
# Navigate to: https://your-server:8080 → Backup section → Create Backup

# List Kopia snapshots
kopia snapshot list --tags nextcloud

# View backup logs
tail -f /var/log/nextcloud-backup.log

# Check AIO backup status
docker exec -it nextcloud-aio-mastercontainer ls -lh /mnt/docker-aio-config/data/borg/
```

### Common Restore Commands

```bash
# Restore using AIO's built-in interface (RECOMMENDED)
# Navigate to: https://your-server:8080 → Backup section → Restore

# Restore from Kopia to new server
kopia snapshot list --tags nextcloud
kopia restore <snapshot-id> /opt/nextcloud-backups/

# Check container status after restore
docker ps | grep nextcloud
docker logs -f nextcloud-aio-mastercontainer
```

## Critical Components to Backup

### 1. Nextcloud AIO BorgBackup Repository
- **Location**: Docker volume `nextcloud_aio_mastercontainer` → `/mnt/docker-aio-config/data/borg/`
- **Contains**: 
  - Complete PostgreSQL database
  - All user files and data
  - Nextcloud configuration
  - Apps and their data
- **Importance**: This is Nextcloud AIO's primary backup - contains everything needed for restore
- **Encryption**: Encrypted with BorgBackup password

### 2. Nextcloud Data Directory
- **Location**: `/srv/NextCloud-AIO` (per NEXTCLOUD_DATADIR setting)
- **Purpose**: User files, photos, documents
- **Note**: Already included in AIO BorgBackup, but can be backed up separately with Kopia

### 3. AIO Mastercontainer Volume
- **Volume**: `nextcloud_aio_mastercontainer`
- **Contains**: AIO configuration, certificates, Borg repository
- **Critical**: Required to restore AIO itself

### 4. Docker Compose Configuration
- **Location**: `/opt/nextcloud/docker-compose.yml`
- **Purpose**: Container definitions, network settings, environment variables
- **Importance**: Needed to recreate the AIO setup

### 5. Backup Credentials
- **BorgBackup Password**: `0c038ada7a620e59802f43422b6fea409b46bab8821be6d3`
- **Storage**: Store securely in password manager
- **Critical**: Required for restoring from Borg backups

## Backup Strategy

### Two-Tier Backup Approach

We use a **two-tier approach** combining Nextcloud AIO's native BorgBackup with Kopia for offsite storage:

1. **Tier 1 (Nextcloud AIO Native)**: BorgBackup creates deduplicated, encrypted backups daily at 02:00
2. **Tier 2 (Offsite)**: Kopia snapshots the Borg repository at 03:00 and syncs to vaults

#### Why This Approach?

- **Best of both worlds**: AIO's BorgBackup is Nextcloud-aware and handles everything correctly, Kopia provides offsite protection
- **Native restore**: Use AIO's built-in restore interface (easiest, most reliable)
- **Disaster recovery**: Full system restore from Kopia backups on new server
- **Deduplication at two levels**: Borg deduplicates within Nextcloud data, Kopia deduplicates across backups
- **Proven strategy**: Same approach used for Mailcow and Immich

#### Backup Schedule
- **02:00** - AIO's daily BorgBackup runs automatically
- **03:00** - Kopia script snapshots the completed Borg repository
- **Retention (AIO Borg)**: `--keep-within=7d --keep-weekly=4 --keep-monthly=6`
- **Retention (Kopia/Offsite)**: 30 daily, 12 weekly, 12 monthly

### Nextcloud AIO Native Backup (BorgBackup)

Nextcloud AIO includes an integrated BorgBackup solution that:
- Backs up PostgreSQL database (hot backup, no downtime)
- Backs up all user files and data
- Backs up Nextcloud configuration and apps
- Provides deduplication and compression
- Runs on daily schedule (configured in AIO interface)
- Includes built-in restore interface

**Key Features:**
- **Deduplication**: Only stores changed blocks (very efficient)
- **Compression**: Reduces backup size significantly
- **Encryption**: Backups are encrypted with password
- **Incremental**: Only backs up changes after first backup
- **Web UI**: Manage backups through AIO's admin interface

**BorgBackup Location:**
- Inside mastercontainer volume: `/mnt/docker-aio-config/data/borg/`
- On host: `/var/lib/docker/volumes/nextcloud_aio_mastercontainer/_data/data/borg/`

## Setting Up Nextcloud AIO Backups

### Prerequisites

#### Connect to Kopia Repository

```bash 
sudo kopia repository connect server \
  --url=https://192.168.5.10:51516 \
  --override-username=admin \
  --server-cert-fingerprint=696a4999f594b5273a174fd7cab677d8dd1628f9b9d27e557daa87103ee064b2 
```

> **Note on Multiple Kopia Repositories**: The backup script handles multiple Kopia repositories by explicitly connecting to the Nextcloud-specific repository at the start of each backup. To use a different repository, edit the variables in `/opt/scripts/backup-nextcloud.sh`.

### Step 1: Configure AIO's Daily Backup

First, configure Nextcloud AIO's built-in backup system:

1. **Access AIO Admin Interface**:
   ```
   https://your-server:8080
   ```

2. **Navigate to Backup Section** in the AIO interface

3. **Configure Daily Backup**:
   - Set **Backup time**: `02:00` (2 AM)
   - Enable **Daily backup**
   - Optionally enable **Automatic updates after backup**
   - Optionally enable **Success notification**

4. **Verify Backup Location**:
   The backup location should be set to (default):
   ```
   /mnt/docker-aio-config/data/borg
   ```

5. **Trigger First Backup** manually via AIO interface to verify it works:
   - Click "Create Backup" button
   - Wait for completion (may take a while on first run)
   - Verify success in the interface

6. **Verify Backup Exists**:
   ```bash
   docker exec nextcloud-aio-mastercontainer ls -lh /mnt/docker-aio-config/data/borg/
   ```

### Step 2: Configure Local Backup Directory

Create the backup directory for Kopia metadata:

```bash
sudo mkdir -p /opt/nextcloud-backups
sudo chown -R root:root /opt/nextcloud-backups
sudo chmod 755 /opt/nextcloud-backups
```

### Step 3: Install Kopia Backup Script

```bash
# Create scripts directory if not exists
sudo mkdir -p /opt/scripts

# Copy the backup script
sudo cp backup-nextcloud.sh /opt/scripts/
sudo chmod +x /opt/scripts/backup-nextcloud.sh
```

### Step 4: Configure Backup Script

Edit `/opt/scripts/backup-nextcloud.sh` and verify these settings:

```bash
BACKUP_DIR="/opt/nextcloud-backups"               # Local backup storage
KEEP_DAYS=7                                       # Keep 7 days locally
NEXTCLOUD_DIR="/opt/nextcloud"                    # Your Nextcloud compose location
DATADIR="/srv/NextCloud-AIO"                      # Your NEXTCLOUD_DATADIR
KOPIA_SERVER_URL="https://192.168.5.10:51516"    # Your Kopia server
KOPIA_USERNAME="admin"
KOPIA_FINGERPRINT="696a4999..."
```

### Step 5: Test Manual Backup

Run your first Kopia snapshot manually:

```bash
sudo /opt/scripts/backup-nextcloud.sh
```

Expected output:
```
========================================
Starting Nextcloud Kopia snapshot process
Note: AIO daily backup runs at 02:00, this script snapshots it
========================================
[timestamp] Connecting to Kopia repository...
[timestamp] Kopia repository connected successfully
[timestamp] Checking Nextcloud AIO status...
[timestamp] Mastercontainer is running
[timestamp] Verifying AIO Borg backups...
[timestamp] Found Borg backup repository at: /mnt/docker-aio-config/data/borg
[timestamp] Backing up AIO mastercontainer volume...
[timestamp] Mastercontainer volume backup completed (5.2G)
[timestamp] Creating Kopia snapshots for offsite storage
...
✓ AIO Borg backups verified
✓ Mastercontainer volume backed up (5.2G)
✓ Kopia snapshots created for offsite storage
========================================
```

Verify the backup:
```bash
# Check local backup
ls -lh /opt/nextcloud-backups/
cat /opt/nextcloud-backups/nextcloud-*/manifest.txt

# Check Kopia snapshots
kopia snapshot list --tags nextcloud

# Check AIO Borg backups
docker exec nextcloud-aio-mastercontainer ls -lh /mnt/docker-aio-config/data/borg/
```

### Step 6: Automated Backup with Cron

**Important Timing**: Schedule this AFTER AIO's built-in backup completes.
- AIO backup: **02:00** (configured in AIO interface)
- Kopia script: **03:00** (snapshots the completed Borg backup)

Add to root's crontab:

```bash
sudo crontab -e
```

Add this line for daily backups at 3 AM:
```
0 3 * * * /opt/scripts/backup-nextcloud.sh 2>&1 | logger -t nextcloud-backup
```

Alternative schedules:

**Twice daily (3 AM and 3 PM):**
```
0 3,15 * * * /opt/scripts/backup-nextcloud.sh 2>&1 | logger -t nextcloud-backup
```

**After AIO backup completes (2 AM AIO + 1 hour buffer):**
```
0 3 * * * /opt/scripts/backup-nextcloud.sh 2>&1 | logger -t nextcloud-backup
```

### Step 7: Configure Kopia Retention Policy

Set retention for Nextcloud snapshots:

```bash
kopia policy set /opt/nextcloud-backups \
  --keep-latest 30 \
  --keep-daily 30 \
  --keep-weekly 12 \
  --keep-monthly 12

kopia policy set /opt/nextcloud \
  --keep-latest 7 \
  --keep-daily 7

# If backing up datadir directly (and it's small enough)
kopia policy set /srv/NextCloud-AIO \
  --keep-latest 7 \
  --keep-daily 7
```

## Backup Validation

### Regular Verification

Perform these checks monthly to ensure backups are working:

#### Test 1: Verify AIO Borg Backups Exist

```bash
# List Borg archives inside container
docker exec nextcloud-aio-mastercontainer \
  borg list /mnt/docker-aio-config/data/borg/borgbackup

# Expected output: List of backup archives with dates
```

#### Test 2: Check Borg Backup Integrity

```bash
# Run Borg check (non-destructive)
docker exec nextcloud-aio-mastercontainer \
  borg check /mnt/docker-aio-config/data/borg/borgbackup

# Expected output: Repository and archive checks passing
```

#### Test 3: Verify Local Kopia Backups

```bash
# List recent local backups
ls -lth /opt/nextcloud-backups/ | head -5

# Check most recent backup
LATEST=$(ls -td /opt/nextcloud-backups/nextcloud-* | head -1)
cat "${LATEST}/manifest.txt"
```

#### Test 4: Verify Kopia Snapshots

```bash
# List Kopia snapshots
kopia snapshot list --tags nextcloud

# Verify snapshot content (without restoring)
kopia snapshot list --show-identical

# Check Kopia repository status
kopia repository status
```

#### Test 5: Verify Backup Encryption

```bash
# The BorgBackup password should be required for restore
# Test by attempting to list archives (should require password)

docker exec -it nextcloud-aio-mastercontainer bash
export BORG_PASSPHRASE="0c038ada7a620e59802f43422b6fea409b46bab8821be6d3"
borg list /mnt/docker-aio-config/data/borg/borgbackup
exit
```

### Backup Monitoring Script

Create `/opt/scripts/check-nextcloud-backup.sh`:

```bash
#!/bin/bash

LOG_PREFIX="[Nextcloud Backup Check]"

# Check 1: AIO Borg backups
echo "$LOG_PREFIX Checking AIO Borg backups..."
BORG_COUNT=$(docker exec nextcloud-aio-mastercontainer \
  find /mnt/docker-aio-config/data/borg -type d -maxdepth 2 2>/dev/null | wc -l)

if [ "$BORG_COUNT" -gt 0 ]; then
    echo "$LOG_PREFIX ✓ AIO has $BORG_COUNT Borg backup items"
else
    echo "$LOG_PREFIX ✗ WARNING: No Borg backups found!"
    exit 1
fi

# Check 2: Local backups
echo "$LOG_PREFIX Checking local backups..."
LAST_BACKUP=$(ls -td /opt/nextcloud-backups/nextcloud-* 2>/dev/null | head -1)

if [ -z "$LAST_BACKUP" ]; then
    echo "$LOG_PREFIX ✗ WARNING: No local backups found!"
    exit 1
fi

BACKUP_DATE=$(basename "$LAST_BACKUP" | sed 's/nextcloud-//')
BACKUP_EPOCH=$(date -d "${BACKUP_DATE:0:8} ${BACKUP_DATE:9:2}:${BACKUP_DATE:11:2}:${BACKUP_DATE:13:2}" +%s 2>/dev/null)
NOW=$(date +%s)
AGE_HOURS=$(( ($NOW - $BACKUP_EPOCH) / 3600 ))

if [ $AGE_HOURS -gt 26 ]; then
    echo "$LOG_PREFIX ✗ WARNING: Last backup is $AGE_HOURS hours old"
    exit 1
else
    echo "$LOG_PREFIX ✓ Last backup: $AGE_HOURS hours ago"
    BACKUP_SIZE=$(du -sh "$LAST_BACKUP" 2>/dev/null | cut -f1)
    echo "$LOG_PREFIX   Size: $BACKUP_SIZE"
fi

# Check 3: Kopia snapshots
echo "$LOG_PREFIX Checking Kopia snapshots..."
KOPIA_COUNT=$(kopia snapshot list --tags nextcloud --json 2>/dev/null | jq '. | length' 2>/dev/null)

if [ -n "$KOPIA_COUNT" ] && [ "$KOPIA_COUNT" -gt 0 ]; then
    echo "$LOG_PREFIX ✓ Kopia has $KOPIA_COUNT snapshots"
    KOPIA_LAST=$(kopia snapshot list --tags nextcloud --json 2>/dev/null | jq -r '.[0].startTime' 2>/dev/null)
    echo "$LOG_PREFIX   Latest: $KOPIA_LAST"
else
    echo "$LOG_PREFIX ✗ WARNING: Cannot verify Kopia snapshots"
    exit 1
fi

echo "$LOG_PREFIX ========================================="
echo "$LOG_PREFIX All backup checks passed!"
echo "$LOG_PREFIX ========================================="
```

Make executable and add to cron:
```bash
chmod +x /opt/scripts/check-nextcloud-backup.sh

# Add to crontab (check daily at 8 AM)
sudo crontab -e
0 8 * * * /opt/scripts/check-nextcloud-backup.sh | logger -t nextcloud-backup-check
```

### Test Restore (Non-Production)

Perform a test restore in a non-production environment quarterly:

1. **Provision test server** with same OS
2. **Install Docker** and Kopia
3. **Restore from Kopia** following disaster recovery steps below
4. **Verify Nextcloud** works correctly
5. **Document any issues** encountered
6. **Destroy test environment**

## Recovery Procedures

### Understanding Two Recovery Methods

We have **two restore methods** depending on the scenario:

1. **AIO Native Restore** (Preferred): Use AIO's built-in restore interface
2. **Kopia Full Restore**: For complete disaster recovery to a new server

### Method 1: AIO Native Restore (Recommended)

Use this method when:
- Restoring on the same server
- AIO is still functional
- You have AIO Borg backups available

This is the **easiest and most reliable** method for Nextcloud AIO.

#### Via AIO Web Interface (Easiest)

1. **Access AIO Admin Interface**:
   ```
   https://your-server:8080
   ```

2. **Navigate to Backup Section**

3. **Select Restore**

4. **Enter BorgBackup Password**:
   ```
   0c038ada7a620e59802f43422b6fea409b46bab8821be6d3
   ```

5. **Choose Backup Date** from available Borg backups

6. **Confirm Restore**
   - AIO will:
     - Stop Nextcloud containers
     - Restore database
     - Restore all files
     - Restore configuration
     - Restart containers

7. **Verify** Nextcloud is working after restore:
   - Access web interface
   - Check files are accessible
   - Verify user logins work

#### Via Command Line (Advanced)

If you need to restore from Borg backup directly:

```bash
# Enter the mastercontainer
docker exec -it nextcloud-aio-mastercontainer bash

# Set Borg password
export BORG_PASSPHRASE="0c038ada7a620e59802f43422b6fea409b46bab8821be6d3"

# List available backups
borg list /mnt/docker-aio-config/data/borg/borgbackup

# Extract specific backup (example - adjust archive name)
borg extract /mnt/docker-aio-config/data/borg/borgbackup::20260217-020001

# Exit container
exit
```

> **Note**: Using AIO's web interface is much safer and handles all the container orchestration automatically.

### Method 2: Complete Server Rebuild (Kopia Restore)

Use this when recovering to a completely new server or when AIO is completely lost.

#### Step 1: Prepare New Server

```bash
# Update system
sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

# Install Docker
curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com | sh
sudo systemctl enable docker
sudo systemctl start docker

# Install Docker Compose
sudo apt install docker-compose-plugin -y

# Install Kopia
curl -s https://kopia.io/signing-key | sudo gpg --dearmor -o /usr/share/keyrings/kopia-keyring.gpg
echo "deb [signed-by=/usr/share/keyrings/kopia-keyring.gpg] https://packages.kopia.io/apt/ stable main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/kopia.list
sudo apt update
sudo apt install kopia -y

# Create directory structure
sudo mkdir -p /opt/nextcloud
sudo mkdir -p /opt/nextcloud-backups
sudo mkdir -p /srv/NextCloud-AIO
```

#### Step 2: Connect to Kopia Repository

```bash
# Connect to your offsite vault
sudo kopia repository connect server \
  --url=https://192.168.5.10:51516 \
  --override-username=admin \
  --server-cert-fingerprint=696a4999f594b5273a174fd7cab677d8dd1628f9b9d27e557daa87103ee064b2

# Verify connection
kopia repository status

# List available snapshots
kopia snapshot list --tags nextcloud
```

#### Step 3: Restore Configuration

```bash
# Find and restore the config snapshot
kopia snapshot list --tags config

# Restore to the Nextcloud directory
kopia restore <config-snapshot-id> /opt/nextcloud/

# Verify critical files
ls -la /opt/nextcloud/docker-compose.yml
```

#### Step 4: Restore AIO Mastercontainer Volume

```bash
# Find the backup with mastercontainer
kopia snapshot list --tags mastercontainer

# Restore the most recent backup
kopia restore <snapshot-id> /opt/nextcloud-backups/

# Find the most recent backup directory
LATEST_BACKUP=$(ls -td /opt/nextcloud-backups/nextcloud-* | head -1)
echo "Restoring from: $LATEST_BACKUP"

# Create the Docker volume
docker volume create nextcloud_aio_mastercontainer

# Extract mastercontainer volume backup
docker run --rm \
  -v nextcloud_aio_mastercontainer:/target \
  -v "${LATEST_BACKUP}":/backup:ro \
  alpine tar -xzf /backup/aio-mastercontainer.tar.gz -C /target

echo "Mastercontainer volume restored"
```

#### Step 5: Start Nextcloud AIO

```bash
cd /opt/nextcloud

# Create external network if needed
docker network create netgrimoire

# Start mastercontainer
docker compose up -d

# Monitor logs
docker compose logs -f
```

#### Step 6: Access AIO and Restore from Borg

1. **Wait for mastercontainer to initialize** (1-2 minutes)

2. **Access AIO Interface**:
   ```
   https://new-server-ip:8080
   ```

3. **Navigate to Backup Section**

4. **Select Restore**

5. **Enter BorgBackup Password**:
   ```
   0c038ada7a620e59802f43422b6fea409b46bab8821be6d3
   ```

6. **Choose backup date** and restore

7. **Wait for restore to complete** (may take significant time depending on data size)

#### Step 7: Post-Restore Verification

```bash
# Check all containers are running
docker ps | grep nextcloud

# Expected containers:
# - nextcloud-aio-mastercontainer
# - nextcloud-aio-apache
# - nextcloud-aio-nextcloud
# - nextcloud-aio-database
# - nextcloud-aio-redis
# - nextcloud-aio-imaginary
# - nextcloud-aio-fulltextsearch (if enabled)
# - nextcloud-aio-talk (if enabled)

# Check Nextcloud is accessible via Apache
curl -I http://localhost:11000

# Access web interface
# https://your-server-domain

# Verify:
# - Login works
# - Files are accessible
# - Apps are functioning
# - Sharing works
# - Uploads work
```

### Scenario 2: Restore Specific User's Files

To restore a single user's files without affecting others:

#### Option A: Via AIO Web Interface (Safest)

1. Use AIO's restore to restore to a specific point in time
2. Users can access previous versions via Nextcloud's version history

#### Option B: Extract from Borg Backup

```bash
# Enter mastercontainer
docker exec -it nextcloud-aio-mastercontainer bash

# Set Borg password
export BORG_PASSPHRASE="0c038ada7a620e59802f43422b6fea409b46bab8821be6d3"

# List available backups
borg list /mnt/docker-aio-config/data/borg/borgbackup

# Mount a specific backup
mkdir -p /tmp/borg-mount
borg mount /mnt/docker-aio-config/data/borg/borgbackup::<archive-name> /tmp/borg-mount

# Navigate to user's files
cd /tmp/borg-mount/nextcloud_aio_nextcloud_data/

# Find the user's directory
ls -la

# Copy specific files out (example)
cp -r /tmp/borg-mount/nextcloud_aio_nextcloud_data/<username>/ /recovery/

# Unmount
borg umount /tmp/borg-mount
exit
```

#### Option C: Using Kopia Mount

```bash
# Mount Kopia snapshot
kopia snapshot list --tags datadir
mkdir -p /mnt/kopia-nextcloud
kopia mount <snapshot-id> /mnt/kopia-nextcloud &

# Find user's files
USER="username"
ls /mnt/kopia-nextcloud/${USER}/files/

# Copy files back
rsync -av /mnt/kopia-nextcloud/${USER}/files/ \
  /srv/NextCloud-AIO/${USER}/files/

# Unmount
kopia unmount /mnt/kopia-nextcloud

# Rescan files in Nextcloud
docker exec -u www-data nextcloud-aio-nextcloud \
  php occ files:scan ${USER}
```

### Scenario 3: Rollback After Failed Update

If a Nextcloud update breaks your installation:

1. **Access AIO Interface**: `https://your-server:8080`

2. **Navigate to Backup Section**

3. **Select Restore**

4. **Enter password**: `0c038ada7a620e59802f43422b6fea409b46bab8821be6d3`

5. **Choose backup** from before the update

6. **Restore and verify**

7. **Disable auto-updates** in AIO until issue is resolved

### Scenario 4: Database-Only Recovery

If only the database is corrupted but files are intact:

**Via AIO Restore (Recommended):**
1. Use AIO's restore feature
2. It will restore the complete state including database

**Note**: AIO's BorgBackup stores everything together, so you cannot easily restore just the database. A full restore is safer and ensures consistency.

## Disaster Recovery Checklist

When disaster strikes, follow this checklist:

- [ ] Confirm scope of failure (server down, storage failure, data corruption)
- [ ] Gather server information (hostname, IP, domain configuration)
- [ ] Retrieve BorgBackup password from secure storage
- [ ] Access offsite Kopia repository
- [ ] Provision new server (if needed) with Docker and Kopia
- [ ] Connect to Kopia repository
- [ ] Restore docker-compose configuration
- [ ] Restore AIO mastercontainer volume
- [ ] Start AIO mastercontainer
- [ ] Use AIO's restore interface with BorgBackup password
- [ ] Verify web interface accessible
- [ ] Test file access and sharing
- [ ] Verify user logins work
- [ ] Check all apps are functioning
- [ ] Update DNS if server IP changed
- [ ] Document issues and lessons learned
- [ ] Update this guide based on experience

## Important Notes

### 1. Backup Schedule Coordination

- **AIO backup**: 02:00 (configured in AIO interface)
- **Kopia script**: 03:00 (must run AFTER AIO backup completes)
- Ensure sufficient time gap for large backups

### 2. BorgBackup Password Security

- **Password**: `0c038ada7a620e59802f43422b6fea409b46bab8821be6d3`
- **Storage**: Keep in password manager (LastPass, 1Password, etc.)
- **Backup**: Print and store in safe location
- **Critical**: Without this password, Borg backups cannot be restored

### 3. Storage Requirements

BorgBackup is deduplicated but can still be large:
- Borg repository: ~1.5x your data size initially
- Grows with retention policy (7 days + 4 weeks + 6 months)
- Kopia adds minimal overhead due to deduplication
- Monitor disk space regularly

### 4. Network Configuration

Your setup uses:
- External network: `netgrimoire`
- Custom Apache port: `11000`
- AIO admin port: `8080`
- Ensure these are documented for restore

### 5. Testing

- Test recovery procedures quarterly in lab environment
- Verify backups monthly with validation scripts
- Keep printed copy of this guide offsite

### 6. Updates

- AIO can auto-update containers after successful backup
- This is configured in the daily backup settings
- Ensure backups run BEFORE updates

### 7. Performance Considerations

First backup will be slow (full copy):
- Subsequent backups are incremental (much faster)
- Borg deduplication improves over time
- Large files (videos) take longer

## Backup Architecture Notes

### Why Two Backup Layers?

**Nextcloud AIO BorgBackup** (Tier 1):
- ✅ Nextcloud-aware (knows how to backup everything correctly)
- ✅ Built-in restore interface (easiest to use)
- ✅ Deduplication and compression
- ✅ Encrypted with password
- ✅ Incremental backups (efficient)
- ❌ Single location (inside Docker volume)
- ❌ No offsite replication built-in

**Kopia Snapshots** (Tier 2):
- ✅ Offsite protection in vaults
- ✅ Additional deduplication layer
- ✅ Point-in-time recovery
- ✅ Disaster recovery to new infrastructure
- ✅ Independent of Nextcloud/Docker state
- ❌ Less Nextcloud-aware
- ❌ More complex restore process

### Storage Efficiency

For a 200GB Nextcloud instance:

**BorgBackup (Tier 1):**
- First backup: ~200GB
- Daily incremental: ~2-5GB (only changes)
- With retention policy: ~250GB total

**Kopia (Tier 2) backing up mastercontainer:**
- First snapshot: ~250GB
- Daily changes: ~5-10GB (only changed data in Borg repo)
- Much smaller than backing up raw data repeatedly

**Combined savings**: Borg handles Nextcloud-level deduplication, Kopia handles backup-to-backup deduplication

### Deduplication Layers

1. **Nextcloud level**: File versioning and deleted file retention
2. **Borg level**: Block-level deduplication within Nextcloud data
3. **Kopia level**: File-level deduplication of mastercontainer volume

## Troubleshooting

### "Cannot access AIO interface"

**Symptoms**: Cannot connect to port 8080

**Solutions**:
```bash
# Check mastercontainer is running
docker ps | grep nextcloud-aio-mastercontainer

# Check logs
docker logs nextcloud-aio-mastercontainer

# Restart mastercontainer
cd /opt/nextcloud
docker compose restart

# Check firewall
sudo ufw status
sudo ufw allow 8080/tcp
```

### "Borg backup fails"

**Symptoms**: AIO reports backup failure

**Solutions**:
```bash
# Check disk space
df -h

# Check Borg repository integrity
docker exec nextcloud-aio-mastercontainer bash
export BORG_PASSPHRASE="0c038ada7a620e59802f43422b6fea409b46bab8821be6d3"
borg check /mnt/docker-aio-config/data/borg/borgbackup
exit

# Repair if needed (last resort)
docker exec nextcloud-aio-mastercontainer bash
export BORG_PASSPHRASE="0c038ada7a620e59802f43422b6fea409b46bab8821be6d3"
borg check --repair /mnt/docker-aio-config/data/borg/borgbackup
exit
```

### "Restore hangs or fails"

**Symptoms**: AIO restore doesn't complete

**Solutions**:
```bash
# Check available disk space
df -h /srv/NextCloud-AIO

# Check Docker resources
docker stats

# Check if daily_backup_running marker is stuck
docker exec nextcloud-aio-mastercontainer \
  rm /mnt/docker-aio-config/data/daily_backup_running

# Restart and try again
docker restart nextcloud-aio-mastercontainer
```

### "Wrong Borg password"

**Symptoms**: Cannot restore or list backups

**Solution**:
- Verify password is exactly: `0c038ada7a620e59802f43422b6fea409b46bab8821be6d3`
- No spaces, no quotes when entering in AIO interface
- If password is truly lost, backups cannot be recovered

### "Kopia snapshot fails"

**Symptoms**: Tier 2 backup fails but AIO backup succeeds

**Solutions**:
```bash
# Check Kopia connection
kopia repository status

# Reconnect if needed
kopia repository disconnect
kopia repository connect server --url=...

# Check Kopia repository space
kopia repository status | grep Space

# Manually test snapshot
kopia snapshot create /opt/nextcloud-backups
```

### "Files missing after restore"

**Symptoms**: Nextcloud restored but files don't appear

**Solutions**:
```bash
# Rescan all files
docker exec -u www-data nextcloud-aio-nextcloud \
  php occ files:scan --all

# Check file permissions
docker exec nextcloud-aio-nextcloud \
  ls -la /mnt/ncdata/

# Verify datadir mount
docker inspect nextcloud-aio-nextcloud | grep -A 10 Mounts

# Check Nextcloud logs
docker exec nextcloud-aio-nextcloud \
  tail -100 /var/www/html/data/nextcloud.log
```

## Advanced Topics

### Customizing Borg Retention Policy

Edit your docker-compose.yml:

```yaml
environment:
  # Default: Keep 7 days, 4 weeks, 6 months
  BORG_RETENTION_POLICY: --keep-within=7d --keep-weekly=4 --keep-monthly=6
  
  # More aggressive (less space, shorter history)
  # BORG_RETENTION_POLICY: --keep-within=3d --keep-weekly=2 --keep-monthly=3
  
  # More conservative (more space, longer history)
  # BORG_RETENTION_POLICY: --keep-within=14d --keep-weekly=8 --keep-monthly=24
```

Restart AIO:
```bash
cd /opt/nextcloud
docker compose down
docker compose up -d
```

### Backup to Multiple Kopia Repositories

For critical data, backup to multiple vaults:

```bash
# In backup script, after first Kopia snapshot:

# Connect to second repository
kopia repository disconnect
kopia repository connect server \
  --url=https://backup2.example.com:51517 \
  --override-username=admin \
  --server-cert-fingerprint=...

# Create snapshots in second repository
kopia snapshot create /opt/nextcloud-backups
```

### Backup Notifications

Add to the end of `/opt/scripts/backup-nextcloud.sh`:

```bash
# Email notification
ADMIN_EMAIL="admin@example.com"
if [ $? -eq 0 ]; then
    echo "Nextcloud backup completed successfully" | \
      mail -s "✓ Nextcloud Backup Success" "$ADMIN_EMAIL"
else
    echo "Nextcloud backup FAILED! Check /var/log/nextcloud-backup.log" | \
      mail -s "✗ Nextcloud Backup FAILED" "$ADMIN_EMAIL"
fi

# Healthchecks.io ping
curl -fsS --retry 3 https://hc-ping.com/your-uuid-here

# Webhook notification
curl -X POST https://monitor.example.com/backup-status \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"service":"nextcloud","status":"success"}'
```

### Excluding Directories from Backup

If certain directories don't need backup (temporary files, caches):

This must be configured through AIO's interface or environment variables. Check AIO documentation for current version's options for excluding paths.

### Manual Borg Operations

Advanced users can interact with Borg directly:

```bash
# Enter mastercontainer
docker exec -it nextcloud-aio-mastercontainer bash

# Set password
export BORG_PASSPHRASE="0c038ada7a620e59802f43422b6fea409b46bab8821be6d3"

# List all archives
borg list /mnt/docker-aio-config/data/borg/borgbackup

# Get info about specific archive
borg info /mnt/docker-aio-config/data/borg/borgbackup::<archive-name>

# Check repository
borg check /mnt/docker-aio-config/data/borg/borgbackup

# Compact repository (reclaim space)
borg compact /mnt/docker-aio-config/data/borg/borgbackup

# Exit
exit
```

## Additional Resources

- [Nextcloud AIO Official Documentation](https://github.com/nextcloud/all-in-one)
- [Nextcloud AIO Backup Documentation](https://github.com/nextcloud/all-in-one#backup-and-restore)
- [BorgBackup Documentation](https://borgbackup.readthedocs.io/)
- [Kopia Documentation](https://kopia.io/docs/)
- [Docker Volume Backup Best Practices](https://docs.docker.com/storage/volumes/#back-up-restore-or-migrate-data-volumes)

## Security Considerations

### BorgBackup Password

- **Never commit** the password to git repositories
- **Store securely** in password manager
- **Print and store** physical copy in safe
- **Share with team** via secure channel only
- **Document location** of password storage

### Kopia Repository Access

- Kopia repository credentials stored on server
- Limit access to backup server
- Use firewall rules to restrict Kopia server access
- Consider separate Kopia repositories for different services

### Network Security

- AIO admin interface (8080) - restrict access via firewall
- Apache interface (11000) - behind reverse proxy
- Kopia server (51516) - internal network only

## Revision History

| Date | Version | Changes |
|------|---------|---------|
| 2026-02-17 | 1.0 | Initial documentation - two-tier backup strategy using AIO's BorgBackup + Kopia |

---

**Last Updated**: February 17, 2026  
**Maintained By**: System Administrator  
**Review Schedule**: Quarterly  
**Next Review**: May 17, 2026

**Critical Information**:
- BorgBackup Password: Store securely, required for all restores
- Backup Schedule: AIO 02:00, Kopia 03:00
- Kopia Server: 192.168.5.10:51516
