Backup with zfs not using zfs snapshots

[fware]

Hello,

why does a backup with setting "snapshot" on a zfs installation not using/creating a zfs snapshot for the backup ?

To me that would be the best and fastest way to backup a VM disk with no risk of loosing data.
We use that on Solaris for Oracle backups while the DB is running, so it should be fine also for a running VM.

zfs snapshot...
zfs send | gzip..... (if compression is needed)

 

[dietmar]

why does a backup with setting "snapshot" on a zfs installation not using/creating a zfs snapshot for the backup ?
)

Because it is simple not required. The qemu backup feature also provide snapshot semantics with less overhead, and for all types
of storages.

 

[fware]

Sorry, but when I look at the IO on my system using the qemu snapshot backup and a zfs sanpshot.. send the zfs is less stressfull .

Also the quemu has a risk where the zfs snapshot has not. (based on your documentation)

 

[dietmar]

I guess everything has advantages and drawbacks. You ask why we do not use zfs snapshot for the backup, and I answered that question.