# Restic: Multi-User Syncthing Backup Strategy
# Overview
This document covers the backup of multi-user Syncthing data from the **Syncthing-LXC** (ID: `130`) via the **Vault-LXC**(ID: `150`). We utilize a single unified Restic repository on the NAS to maximize deduplication across common files shared between users.
## Storage Configuration
Individual ZFS subvolumes for each user are passed to the Vault-LXC as **Read-Only** mount points.
User
Host Source (ZFS)
Vault-LXC Mount Point
**UserA**
`tank/subvol-130-disk-2`
`/source/sync-usera`
**UserB**
`tank/subvol-130-disk-3`
`/source/sync-userb`
**UserC**
`tank/subvol-130-disk-4`
`/source/sync-userc`
```bash
# Executed on Proxmox Host to map disks
pct set 150 -mp132 /tank/subvol-130-disk-2,mp=/source/sync-usera,ro=1
pct set 150 -mp133 /tank/subvol-130-disk-3,mp=/source/sync-userb,ro=1
pct set 150 -mp134 /tank/subvol-130-disk-4,mp=/source/sync-userc,ro=1
```
---
## The Unified Backup Script
Using tags allows us to store all users in one repository (`/syncthing`) while being able to filter snapshots by user during recovery.
**`/root/scripts/backup-syncthing.sh` (Vault-LXC):**
```bash
#!/bin/bash
# Auth & Network (Direct 2.5GbE Pipe)
export RESTIC_REPOSITORY="rest:http://vault-user:Pass123@10.1.1.2:8000/syncthing"
export RESTIC_PASSWORD="Sync_Encryption_Key_44"
# Define users and their source directories
declare -A users=(
["usera"]="/source/sync-usera"
["userb"]="/source/sync-userb"
["userc"]="/source/sync-userc"
)
# 1. Individual User Backups (Enables granular recovery)
echo "Starting Syncthing Backups..."
# Loop through users and perform backups
for user in "${!users[@]}"; do
source_dir="${users[$user]}"
restic backup "$source_dir" --tag "user:$user" --host "syncthing-srv"
done
# 2. Global Prune (Keep last 7 days for all users)
# Run locally on NAS if server is in --append-only mode
restic forget --keep-within 7d --prune
```
---
## Administration & Recovery
### How to list files for a specific user:
To see only Sarah's backups without cluttering the list with other users:
```bash
restic snapshots --tag "user:sarah"
```
### How to restore a single user's data:
If Werner accidentally deletes a folder, you can restore his latest snapshot specifically:
```bash
restic restore latest --tag "user:werner" --target /tmp/restore-werner
```
## Maintenance Notes
- **Deduplication Advantage:** If Carsten and Sarah both download the same 2GB ISO, Restic only stores the blocks **once** in the NAS repository, saving significant space.
- **Integrity Checks:** Run `restic check` once a month from the Vault-LXC to ensure the NAS data remains uncorrupted.
---
[Restic Guide: Backing Up Multiple PCs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnqmLUbT7gw)
This video explains how to manage a single repository for multiple sources using tags and hostnames, which is exactly how you are organizing your individual Syncthing users.