Backing up FreeBSD jails using Amanda

Created December 26, 2013 · Updated June 27, 2026 · 3 min read · 585 words

While looking for open-source backup solutions for jails on a FreeBSD box, I came across Amanda and Bacula. At first glance Amanda seemed easier to configure, so I tried to install it from ports. There were some hiccups, especially with regards to permissions and missing directories, so I documented the steps I needed to get it running below.

Amanda uses a server/client architecture, although not in the traditional sense where an application is running all the time. The “Amanda server” is the box that runs and keeps the backups, a process that can be scheduled using cron. Amanda “clients” are the machines that have data that needs to be backed up. It is entirely possible to run the server and client on the same device (VM, jail, etc.). In the configuration described here I am running Amanda server in one jail and an Amanda client in another jail.

On the Amanda server

If this is the first time using pkg on the server, install it:
Terminal window
```
sudo pkg
```
Press “Y” to confirm.
Here I am building amanda-server from ports because I plan on using S3 functionality in amanda-server, which is not enabled in the binary packages. If you don’t need S3 (or don’t know what it is), feel free to save some time by skipping to “To install binaries” below.
Install portmaster:
Terminal window
```
sudo pkg install portmaster
```

Install amanda-server:

sudo portmaster --packages-build misc/amanda-server

Follow the prompts, most settings should be self-explanatory.

Install amcrypt:

sudo portmaster --packages-build security/aespipe

Install pinentry-curses:

sudo portmaster -P security/pinentry-curses

To install binaries, use this command instead of those containing portmaster above:
Terminal window
```
sudo pkg install amanda-server aespipe pinentry-curses
```
Enable sendmail, so Amanda can mail backup reports:
Terminal window
```
sudo echo 'sendmail_enable="YES"' >> /etc/rc.conf
```
Start sendmail:
Terminal window
```
sudo service sendmail start
```

On the Amanda clients

If this is the first time using pkg on the server, install it:
Terminal window
```
sudo pkg
```
Press “Y” to confirm.
Install amanda-client, amcrypt and pinentry-curses:
Terminal window
```
pkg install amanda-client aespipe pinentry-curses
```

On the Amanda server

Amanda has been around for a long time, so it calls disk backups for “virtual tapes”. Create a directory for these files:

sudo mkdir -p /data/amanda/vtape/DailySet1
sudo chown amanda:amanda /data/amanda/vtape/DailySet1
sudo chmod -R 750 /data/amanda/vtape/DailySet1

Create configuration directory:

sudo mkdir -p /usr/local/etc/amanda
sudo chown -R amanda:amanda /usr/local/etc/amanda

Create var directory:

sudo mkdir -p /usr/local/var/lib/amanda
sudo chown -R amanda:amanda /usr/local/var/lib/amanda

Assign a shell to user amanda:
Terminal window
```
sudo chsh -s /bin/csh amanda
```
Change to the amanda user:
Terminal window
```
sudo su - amanda
```
Create public/private key pair to access clients:
Terminal window
```
ssh-keygen -t rsa
```
Press Enter at all prompts to create it without a passphrase.

Create a vtape configuration:

amserverconfig DailySet1 --template harddisk --tapedev  /data/amanda/vtape/DailySet1 --mailto EMAIL_RECIPIENT_GOES_HERE --dumpcycle  1week --runspercycle 5 --tapecycle 12 --runtapes 1

Add hosts configuration file:

touch /usr/local/var/lib/amanda/.amandahosts

On the Amanda clients

Assign a shell to user amanda:
Terminal window
```
sudo chsh -s /bin/csh amanda
```
Append or copy ~/.ssh/id_rsa.pub from server to ~/.ssh/authorized_keys on clients

Create directories/files and assign permissions:

sudo mkdir -p /usr/local/var/lib/amanda
sudo touch /usr/local/var/lib/amanda/.amandahosts
sudo mkdir -p /usr/local/etc/amanda
sudo mkdir -p /usr/local/var/amanda/gnutar-lists
sudo chown -R amanda:amanda /usr/local/etc/amanda
sudo chown -R amanda:amanda /usr/local/var/lib/amanda
sudo chown -R amanda:amanda /usr/local/var/amanda

Create /etc/fstab file:
Terminal window
```
sudo touch /etc/fstab
```

Amanda server

Change to the amanda user:
Terminal window
```
sudo su - amanda
```
Add a client (backup job):
In this example, I am backing up the directory /var/www from the client - replace as necessary.
Terminal window
```
amaddclient --config DailySet1 --client CLIENT_HOSTNAME_GOES_HERE --diskdev /var/www --dumptype comp-user-tar
```
Edit the file /usr/local/etc/amanda/DailySet1/amanda.conf:
Terminal window
```
vi /usr/local/etc/amanda/DailySet1/amanda.conf
```
Find this section (line):
```
define dumptype global {
```
In the section, change:
```
auth "bsdtcp"
```
to:
```
auth "ssh"
```
Test configuration:
Terminal window
```
amcheck DailySet1
```
Fix any problems before continuing.
Initiate the first full backup:
Terminal window
```
amdump DailySet1
```
Check that a backup summary is received by e-mail.
Automate this backup using cron:
Terminal window
```
crontab -e
```
Add this line to the file to run backups daily Monday through Friday at 1 AM:
```
0 1 * * 1-5 /usr/local/sbin/amdump DailySet1
```

That’s it, you should now receive a daily mail shortly after 1AM, informing you of a successful backup of /var/www from the client to the server. The first report (hopefully received during the test run above) should be about a full backup and the next couple of reports will only do an incremental backup, with a new full backup every week (as specified in the vtape configuration command).

Some other opensource backup solutions that should work on FreeBSD: