Cloud Backup - How to Set Up DigitalOcean Spaces for Cloud Backup

Cloud Backup

DigitalOcean Spaces provides a low-cost, scalable cloud storage location for secure off-site data protection. Retrospect 12.6 for Windows and Retrospect 14.6 for Mac are certified for DigitalOcean Spaces. Follow these step-by-step instructions for configuring Retrospect to integrate with Spaces.

Account Setup

After you sign up for a free DigitalOcean account, follow DigitalOcean’s step-by-step guide for creating a space and their knowledgebase article for getting your access key and secret key.

Information for Retrospect

Retrospect needs three pieces of information to access DigitalOcean Spaces:

• Path for New York – nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com/your_bucket_name
• Path for Amsterdam – ams3.digitaloceanspaces.com/your_bucket_name
• Path for Singapore – sgp1.digitaloceanspaces.com/your_bucket_name
• Access Key – Use the Access Key from above.
• Secret Key – Use the Secret Key from above.

Adding Cloud Storage in Retrospect

Adding cloud storage as a destination is simple. Retrospect has a new set type called "Cloud". Create a new backup set/media set and select "Cloud" as the type.

Next you’ll need to enter your cloud storage credentials.

Using Cloud Storage in Retrospect

Using cloud storage is simple. After you have created a cloud set, create a new script or add it to an existing one, and click "Run". The backup will begin with the contents of the set being uploaded to your cloud storage location. You can track the progress in the execution/activity.

Throttling Cloud Backups in Retrospect

Throttling for cloud backup and cloud restore is available in Preferences.

General Tips

Below are a number of tips for using cloud storage in Retrospect:

• Bandwidth Measurement Tool – Measure your upload and download bandwidth with this free tool: Speedtest.net.
• Disable Backup Verification – Verification will download all of the data that you upload. See more details about why you should disable it for cloud backups in Cloud Backup - Best Practices for Data Protection with Cloud Storage.

Last Update: June 21, 2021