[itdiscuss] Using Rsync To Backup VMware Servers

[jthompsonic at gmail.com]

Apparently rsync is on a file basis but with "--inplace" option the files are recreated in-place so possibly large portions of the vmware file is not recreated when only 1% changes thereby increasing the speed of the sync by 50% or more.

I would think this would create a very fast sync of the vmware files.  I have a VM (optimus: the host for itdiscuss) that is 19GB that changes to some degree (forum files) and I copied it over the weekend as a backup.  

I'll run a rsync in-place on the backup I made to see how long it takes.  The physical host is on a SATA drive.  Then I'll copy the VM to another host to see how the in-place rsync faired.  I don't think it will have any problems and could possibly take less than 60 seconds to complete :)

Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

-----Original Message-----
From: <blloyd at buskercom.com>

Date: Mon, 14 Jan 2008 06:51:26 
To:<discuss at itdiscuss.org>
Subject: Re: [itdiscuss] Using Rsync To Backup VMware Servers


Does Rsync backup file-level differences or block-level differences?  If
file-level differences, then how long is your VM down while the backup
finishes?





Bill Lloyd
IT Manager

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From: discuss-bounces at itdiscuss.org
[mailto:discuss-bounces at itdiscuss.org] On Behalf Of Jeffrey Thompson
Sent: Sunday, January 13, 2008 12:59 AM
To: discuss at itdiscuss.org
Subject: [itdiscuss] Using Rsync To Backup VMware Servers



You can use Rsync** to backup your VMware server files.  

Rsync also has an "--inplace" option that enables the Rsync to update
the files without creating temporary files so if you have large files
that change a little, only the part of the file that changed is updated.

The article "Rsync to offsite location"** shows how to give the
vmware-cmd to suspend your virtual server, and then back it up with
rsync (ie, "rsync -av vmware-dir mailto:user at server:/backup/vmware-dir")
and the rsync will use SSH to automatically login and transfer the file
differences.  After the backup has finished, then give another
vmware-cmd to startup your virtual server.  

Seems like a good plan to me. :)

**Rsync: http://samba.anu.edu.au/rsync/
**Rsync to offsite location: http://communities.vmware.com/thread/30206

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