# Back up Linux servers to a remote server with Borg and SSH: n8n workflow

> Started by someone submitting a form, and works across n8n data table. 15 steps, 1 branch: a working afternoon to understand properly.

Source: https://millionrounds.com/workflow/back-up-linux-servers-to-a-remote-server-with-borg-and-ssh (Millionrounds; every figure on the page links to its filing or article)

[Automation library](https://millionrounds.com/workflows) · [Integrations](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?category=Integrations#library)

# Back up Linux servers to a remote server with Borg and SSH

Started by someone submitting a form, and works across n8n data table. 15 steps, 1 branch: a working afternoon to understand properly.

Medium

[Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fback-up-linux-servers-to-a-remote-server-with-borg-and-ssh)

**15 steps** Medium: a working afternoon

**1** Branch: places the flow splits

**0** Loops or waits

**1** Service it connects to

## The flow

Starts it 2 Logic 3 Service 10

The steps in the order they run, from what starts it.

- 1 **Run Scheduled Backup** Schedule trigger *Starts it*
- 2 **When Backup Setup Form Submitted** Form trigger *Starts it*
- 3 **Load Backup Configuration** Data Table *Service*
- 4 **Build Backup Config Code** Code *Logic*
- 5 **Install Borg on Source Server** Ssh *Service*
- 6 **Store Borg Passphrase on Source Server** Ssh *Service*
- 7 **Install Borg on Destination Server** Ssh *Service*
- 8 **Initialize Configuration Table** Data Table *Service*
- 9 **Source: Check & Get SSH Key** Ssh *Service*
- 10 **Save Backup Configuration** Data Table *Service*
- 11 **Parse SSH Setup Result** Code *Logic*
- 12 **Destination: Create Restricted borg_backup User** Ssh *Service*
- 13 **Route by Backup Mode** If *Logic*
- 14 **Create Single Up-to-date Backup (Borg, pruned)** Ssh *Service*
- 15 **Create Borg Backup and Push to Second Server** Ssh *Service*

## How it's built

- **Starts on:** Someone submitting a form
- **Steps:** 15, with 1 branch
- **Size:** Medium: a working afternoon
- **Connects to:** n8n data table
- **Model:** None. This is plumbing, not judgement

## Questions

What does it need to run?

An n8n account. You connect your own accounts after importing it; none are included.

What starts it?

It starts on someone submitting a form.

Does it use AI?

No. Every step is fixed logic or a call to a service, so it does the same thing every time.

How long does it take to set up?

Plan an afternoon. 15 steps is enough that you should read each one before running it.

How do I import it?

Copy the workflow, open a new workflow in n8n and paste. The steps appear on the canvas, ready for your own accounts.

**Before you run it**

Nothing here has been tested by us. It is somebody's working automation, read and described from its own steps. Treat the connections it wants as a list of accounts it will touch, and read the 15 steps before you point it at anything that matters.

## Run it in n8n

- **Create your n8n account** Free to start. n8n is where the workflow runs. [Create an n8n account ↗](https://millionrounds.com/n8n)
- **Download the workflow** Free with a Millionrounds account. [Download free](https://millionrounds.com/login?next=%2Fapp%2Fworkflow%2Fback-up-linux-servers-to-a-remote-server-with-borg-and-ssh)
- **Paste it into n8n** Open a new workflow in n8n and paste. Then connect your own accounts.

Stored with the author's traces removed: canvas notes, instance identifiers, saved credential names and any live document they had left behind.

## Connects to

Each opens the other workflows that use it.

[n8n data table](https://millionrounds.com/workflows?service=n8n+data+table#library)

## Workflows like it

Also integrations, with the same services where possible, closest in size first.

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- [**Aggregate daily tech trends from Hacker News, TechCrunch** 14 steps · RSS, n8n data table](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/aggregate-daily-tech-trends-from-hacker-news-techcrunch)
- [**New Submission** 14 steps · n8n data table](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/new-submission)
- [**Protect downstream APIs with Data Tables** 16 steps · n8n data table](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/protect-downstream-apis-with-data-tables)
- [**Validate signup email addresses with DNS and Data Tables** 16 steps · n8n data table](https://millionrounds.com/workflow/validate-signup-email-addresses-with-dns-and-data-tables)