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This isn't the same as with systemd timer because timer lets you specify when you want to run your service exactly and will fallback to running when the system comes online. With @hourly I lose this control and multiple machines could potentially trigger backups at the same time, hogging the physical hard drives and the network.
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layer8 • yesterday at 3:01 PM
Cron also has @reboot. Not exactly the same, but has been sufficient for me so far.
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> fallback to running when the system comes online.
That isn't something I'd want to happen, it sounds like it creates a potential queue of scripts that will flood the system on start, if it works the way you described.
I prefer the deterministic behavior of cron, the script will run when it is specified to run, as you said earlier, as long as the system is running; and as I stated in a separate comment, it will run @reboot if I need it to run then.
> With @hourly I lose this control and multiple machines could potentially trigger backups at the same time
Then don't use @hourly, use staggered times, it's very easy.