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Github Issues replaces Mantis


The Bareos project will use GitHub Issues (instead of Mantis).

In 2012, the Bareos project was launched with a commitment to fostering close integration with the community and leveraging advanced automation services. However, a span of 10 years provides ample opportunity for evolution and innovation. Over the course of this decade, we have continuously adapted and modernized our infrastructure.

Among other changes, we have made significant advancements in the following areas:

Code:
Since the beginning, we have relied on git and GitHub as our code repository. Initially, we accepted contributions in the form of emails and patches. However, for some time now, we have exclusively transitioned to using Pull Requests, automated tests, and a structured review process.

Package Building:
Originally, our package building process relied heavily on the powerful https://openbuildservice.org/ for Linux packages. However, we had to resort to different approaches for other platforms. Therefore we have transitioned to using Jenkins, Build-Worker, and Docker containers for all platforms. This transition has been seamless for end-users, but it allows us to create packages for all our platforms within the same streamlined process. Additionally, this optimized process tailored for Bareos operates much faster.

Bugtracker:
Since our inception in 2012, we have utilized Mantis as our bug tracker, and for the most part, we were satisfied with its performance. However, due to a tighter integration with our other processes, we have decided to migrate to Github Issues in April 2024. We anticipate that this transition will result in a better integration of error reporting, development, and pull requests.

Support:
In addition to our internal processes, we utilize https://zammad.org as a ticketing system for customers with support contracts.


World Unplugging Day! 🌿

In our always-on digital life, it’s refreshing to hit the pause button. Bareos keeps your data safe, giving you the perfect reason to unplug without worries. Spend your day reconnecting with the joys outside the digital sphere – nature, loved ones, or a good book. Embrace the peace of mind, knowing everything digital is secure back home with us. See you offline! #WorldUnpluggingDay #DigitalDetox #Bareos #Enterprise #Backup #OpenSource


Bareos expert circle Q1/2024

Dear customers and partners,

With organizations around the world adopting open source strategies Bareos delivers highly scalable backup & archiving solutions for SMB and enterprises. While trying to have an excellent documentation of our product, we’d like to offer an interactive Q&A session for you with our experts: founders, consultants, and support specialists on a variety of topics.

Topics include:
deployment use cases / best practises
infrastructure options (flash arrays, tape libraries and cloud)
availability & resilience
design automation / tool integration / deployments / monitoring

This online event takes place on Thursday, March 7, 2024 at 17:00 CET / 08:00 AM PT / 16:00 GMT.

To participate, please register with corporate email via link and provide specific topics you’re interested in, please include question(s) in our registration.


Bareos Applied as Mentoring Organization in Google Summer of Code 2024


Google Summer of Code (GSoC) and Mentor Organizations

GSoC, now in its 20th year, is a global, online program focused on bringing new contributors into open source software development. GSoC Contributors work with an open source organization on a 12+ week programming project under the guidance of mentors.

Bareos as a Mentoring Organization

In 2024, Bareos applied for the first time as mentoring organization for GSoC. Here’s why you should be excited:

  • Diverse Project Ideas: Bareos has curated a list of intriguing project ideas for GSoC 2024. From enhancing backup performance to improving user interfaces, there's something for everyone. Check out the project ideas list to explore the possibilities.
  • Welcoming Community: Bareos promotes a welcoming and inclusive community. The goal is to bring new contributors into the fold.

How to Get Involved

As Bareos steps into its role as a mentoring organization, we invite you to be part of this exciting journey. If you’re a student and an open-source enthusiast, GSoC 2024 is a great opportunity to develop various skills and get involved in an important open-source project.

The next step is to check our project ideas list at https://github.com/bareos/GSoC2024/. You can also propose your own project idea there.

Important Next Items on the GSoC 2024 Timeline

  • February 21 – 18:00 UTC: List of accepted mentoring organizations will be published
  • February 22 – March 18: Potential GSoC contributors discuss application ideas with mentoring organizations
  • March 18 – April 2: GSoC contributor application period

For more information about GSoC, visit https://summerofcode.withgoogle.com/

Enhance security by hardening the Bareos filedaemon

The Bareos filedaemon (client) runs per default with administrator/root privileges in order to be able to backup all files. The Filedaemon also is able to execute scripts before and after the backups and restores. In order to perform restores, the filedaemon has the ability to overwrite all files on the client machine. While all of this is required for normal backup and restore operation, certain environments might have higher security requirements.
Bareos offers the following options are available to enhance the security and limit the power of the filedaemon:

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  • Limit the directories from where the filedaemon executes scripts. This can be achieved with the configuration directive Allowed Script Dir
  • Limit the Job Commands that the filedaemon accepts. The Allowed Job Command directive determines which of the existing job commands (backup, restore, verify, estimate and runscript) are allowed. By prohibiting the restore command, the filedaemon will not allow to do restores. Without the runscript command, no runscripts will be executed.
  • run the filedaemon as non-root user with the capabilities CAP_DAC_READ_SEARCH. This uses the Linux capabilities mechanism to run as normal user but have the the right to read all files. Writing files will not be possible in this setup.

These security measures can prevent an attacker that gained control over the bareos director to alter the files of the machines being backed up.
However, when a restore is required, the filedaemon on the client needs to be reconfigured to allow restores and/or runscripts. Alternatively, a second bareos filedaemon can be started that has a configuration that allows restores.

Usually the amount of restores is much smaller than the backups, so these measures still can enhance the security with relatively little effort and inconvenience.

Import and export tapes from your tape library with Bareos


Tape libraries usually offer an option to insert and remove tape cartridges. Therefore, the libraries have a number of dedicated slots (so called import/export slots or mail slots) that can be accessed from outside of the library without the danger of the operator to collide with the tape robot. Bareos supports this functionality with the bconsole commands import and export commands:

  • To import tapes into the library, just fill the import/export slots with the tapes and type import.
  • To export tapes from the library, use export volume=<volumename>
  • Tapes used by a job can be automatically exported with use of a runscript

For more details, please check the bconsole documentation about import and export console commands.

Bareos joins Open Invention Network

Bareos GmbH & Co. KG strengthens Commitment to Open Source Collaboration by Joining the Open Invention Network.

Bareos GmbH & Co. KG, a leading provider of open-source data backup and recovery solutions, proudly announces its membership in the Open Invention Network (OIN), underscoring the company’s dedication to fostering collaboration and innovation within the open-source community. The Open Invention Network is a shared defensive patent pool committed to protecting the open-source ecosystem. By joining this network, Bareos GmbH & Co. KG demonstrates its commitment to providing a secure and collaborative environment for developers, users, and partners.

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