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Re: [Xen-users] Yet another backup proposal (file based vbd's & lvm)

To: xen-users@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Re: [Xen-users] Yet another backup proposal (file based vbd's & lvm)
From: Mark Williamson <mark.williamson@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Sat, 21 Oct 2006 04:06:25 +0100
Cc: Roger Lucas <roger@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
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> > What I'd like to attempt to setup (based on the feedback I receive) is
> > the following.
> >
> > 1. Pause the domU using "xm pause"
> > 2. Sync the domU using "xm sysrq"
> > 3. Use rdiff-backup to make a local backup of the file VBD
> > 4. Resume the domU using "xm unpause"

> 1. Pause the domU using "xm pause"
> 2. Sync the domU using "xm sysrq"
> 3. Use LVM to snapshot to LV providing the VBD to the DomU
> 4. Resume the domU using "xm unpause"
> 5. Use rdiff-backup to make a local backup of the snapshot LV
> 6. Remove the snapshot

You're both going to have to change the sync-ing stage to come before the 
pause - otherwise the domain won't be running and therefore won't be able to 
sync it's disks!

Cheers,
Mark


>
> Moving the rdiff-backup from stage 3 to stage 5 will allow you to reduce
> the time between the pause and unpause actions.  Running rdiff-backup on
> (for example) a 10GB block device image will still take some time even on a
> fast system (e.g. with 200MB/sec disk access, just scanning the block
> device for data changes will take more than 100 seconds, 50 secs to read
> the old backup image and 50 secs to read the new file VBD), so you probably
> wouldn't want to have to freeze a running server for this long.  In
> comparison, taking a snapshot of a LV should take less than a second, after
> which you can resume the server again.
>
> BR,
>
> Roger
>
>
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> http://lists.xensource.com/xen-users

-- 
Dave: Just a question. What use is a unicyle with no seat?  And no pedals!
Mark: To answer a question with a question: What use is a skateboard?
Dave: Skateboards have wheels.
Mark: My wheel has a wheel!

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