ZFS Datastore on a child filesystem instead of the main pool.

[mgaudette112]

Question:

I've always set my PBS to use the entire ZFS pool (using the ZFS root filesystem). Is there any technical reason why I can't use a child filesystem?

Say the ZFS pool is named backup - In other words, instead of using 'backup" as the datastore I would create a new filesystem (zfs create backup/main) and use that child filesystem instead.

That way if I need a temporary, separate datastore on the same ZFS pool I can create and use something like "backup/temp". (in case I need to zfs send/receive somewhere easily, or test and optimize ZFS settings on a temp filesystem)

Note: I have tested it, PBS seems to accept it without issue. Any pitfalls down the road or is it a non-issue?

 

[UdoB]

Any pitfalls down the road or is it a non-issue?

I do it the same way - for years now. So I would be surprised if there is any actual drawback...

 

[mgaudette112]

I do it the same way - for years now. So I would be surprised if there is any actual drawback...

Thank you, I appreciate you sharing your positive experience doing this.