Arq

Introduction

Arq is a backup software that allows you to use your own cloud storage account on a Mac or Windows-based system. You can use Arq with Storj S3-compatible storage.

Main site: Arqbackup - you can download and follow the instructions to install Arq here.

Set up Storj

Create an Account

To begin, you will need to create a Storj account.

Navigate to https://storj.io/signup?partner=arq to sign up, or log in https://storj.io/login if you already have an account.

Create a Bucket

Once you have your Storj account you can create a bucket for your data to be stored in.

1. Navigate to Browse on the left side menu.

2. Click on the New Bucket button.

3. Assign the bucket an easily identifiable name, such as "my-bucket".

4. Optional: Enable Object Lock (required for immutability in many applications).

   • If you enable Object Lock, you can also set a default retention period using either Governance or Compliance Mode

5. Optional: Enable Object Versioning (note that this will be enabled by default if Object Lock is enabled)

6. Click Create bucket

Generate S3 credentials

Storj has an Amazon S3 compatible API and you'll need generate S3 credentials to use it. S3 credentials consist of an access key, secret key, and endpoint.

Create S3 credentials in the Storj console:

1. Navigate to Access Keys on the left side menu.

2. Click the New Access Key button.

3. When the New Access dialog comes up, set specifications according to the following guidelines:

   • Name: The name of the credentials (e.g. my-access)
   • Type: S3 Credentials

4. Choose Full Access or Advanced

   • In most cases, you DO NOT want to choose full access.

5. Provide Access encryption Information

   In order to see the data uploaded to your bucket in the Storj console, you must unlock the bucket with the same encryption passphrase as the credentials.

   • Use the current passphrase: this is default option
   • Advanced: you may provide a different encryption phrase either your own or generate a new one.
     • Enter a new passphrase: use this option, if you would like to provide your own new encryption phrase
     • Generate 12-word passphrase: use this option, if you would like to generate a new encryption phrase

6. Select the permissions you want to allow:

   • Read
   • Write
   • List
   • Delete

7. Select the object lock permissions you want to allow

   • PutObjectRetention
   • GetObjectRetention
   • BypassGovernanceRetention
   • PutObjectLegalHold
   • GetObjectLegalHold
   • PutObjectLockConfiguration
   • GetObjectLockConfiguration

8. Choose the buckets you want the access to include:

   • All Buckets
   • Select Buckets

9. Set an expiration

10. Click Create Access to finish creation of your S3 credentials

11. Your S3 credentials are created. Write them down and store them, or click the Download all button. You will need these credentials for the following steps.

Object Lock Permission Details

Configure Arq to use Storj

1. Pick New Backup Plan from Arq’s File menu.

   New Users should be presented with the option to Create a backup plan. Existing users may need to create a backup plan from a menu.

2. Click Add Storage Location, choose Storj, and click Continue

   

3. Copy and paste the Access Key and Secret Key values from your web browser into the Storj Access Key ID and Storj Secret Access Key fields in Arq and click Continue:

   

4. Check Use existing bucket, choose your bucket, and click Continue:

   

5. Click Continue to use the storage location you just added:

   

6. Choose an encryption password for Arq to encrypt your data before transmitting it (this password will never leave your computer):

   Files are stored encrypted within the Storj network. Using Arq's encryption would add a second layer of encryption. Users may want to uncheck Encrypt with password when given the option. This is optional.

   

7. Choose which files you’d like to back up, and click Create Backup Plan:

   To change the schedule, the files being backed up, and many other options, click on your backup plan on the left and click “Edit…”.

   

Congratulations, you have successfully configured Arq to back up your data to Storj!