This script is designed to intelligently split a large folder (such as /srv/media) across multiple external drives — one drive at a time.

• Stage-based copy: connect one drive at a time
• Real usable space supported (MiB from lsblk)
• Logs a .backup_manifest.txt to mark drives as completed
• Resumable: skips already completed drives
• Dry run supported

python3 backup_stager.py \
  --source "/srv/media" \
  --drive "DriveA:2861588" \
  --drive "DriveB:1953513" \
  --output "/mnt/backup"

Use:

lsblk -b -o NAME,SIZE,MOUNTPOINT

Then divide the SIZE in bytes by 1024^2 to get MiB.

Ensure your mountpoint (/mnt/backup by default) is mounted before continuing. The script will stop if it's not.

Each connected drive will receive a .backup_manifest.txt log with the files it was assigned.

If you need to re-do a drive, just delete the .backup_manifest.txt file from its root.

Created for safe and repeatable staged backups from a server.