Difference in vzdump modes

[monster]

vzdump support the following modes:

--stop
--suspend
--snapshot

I've tried them all on my VE.

While --stop guaranties consistent data, is there any advantage to using --suspend instead of --snapshot? Are backups with --suspend "more consistent" the --snapshot?

Since the running applications don't get told to flush to disk, isn't restoring a --snapshot backup equivalent to booting after a power failure?

If yes, is there some trick to make it "less risky" as a backup form?

 

[dietmar]

is there any advantage to using --suspend instead of --snapshot?

It does not create a snapshot (which uses system/hd resources).

Are backups with --suspend "more consistent" the --snapshot?

no

Since the running applications don't get told to flush to disk, isn't restoring a --snapshot backup equivalent to booting after a power failure?

yes

If yes, is there some trick to make it "less risky" as a backup form?

I don't see the risk - all major filesystems/databases use journals.

Besides, you can use a full featured backup solution - there are many of them.