CrashPlan first time setup on Linux

Summary

Initializing the Code42 Backup (CrashPlan) service on Linux.

Environment

  • Linux
  • Code42 Crashplan

Caution: Code42 CrashPlan does not work on Ubuntu 18.10 and 19.04. It also does not work on RHEL 6 or earlier versions of RHEL.

Directions

  1. Log in locally at the system console, or use the X2Go client, and login via a remote connection ideally using XFCE as the desktop choice, as that desktop is very reliable with X2Go.  (Using an ssh -X may work, but YMMV)
  2. From a terminal, either run "code42" or find the Code42 application in the Applications → Accessories menu and open it.
  3. In the Code42 client, enter your full UMICH email address (uniqname@umich.edu) and the server clients.us2.crashplan.com.
  4. Next, you will be prompted to sign in to U-M Microsoft Office 365 with your full UMICH email address and UMICH (Level-1) password (or shared account password, if applicable).
  5. You will then be prompted to complete Duo Two-Factor Authentication. (Shared or group accounts will not see the Duo prompt at this time, but they may be required to enroll in the future.)
  6. Finally, you will be given the option to stay signed in if you wish. 
  7. Once you are in the Code42 program, click the Manage Files button. You will see your home directory will be selected for backup by default. You may wish to change this to /home to back up all local user data (or other local directories, as appropriate).  
    • Please note: Do NOT select any volumes mounted from the network. They are backed up by other means.
  1. If you make any changes to the folder selection, click Save.
  2. That should initialize the backup, and you can then exit from the client.