[HOWTO] Backup with Zrep

#1

Hi All,

Here is the How To in order to use zrep in backup mode.

The normal mode allows a source server to send snapshots to another server. It allows to save data. But a no password ssh connection is need between both servers.

In backup mode, source server do nothing. Only the backup server will take the data, only ssh connection is needed from the backup server to the source server (not both sides).

First you need to have installed zrep: https://www.xigmanas.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=1118
WARNING : Thanks to manage backup of your system and your data before modifications.

For initialization of backup server:

The data must be on the backup server (via rsync, via zfs send / receive,....)

You use the following command line on backup server via ssh (you need to adapt the path):

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zrep init pool1/films hostnameserveurmaitre pool1/destinationfs

Note: if zrep was already used in normal mode, the metadata must be deleted for each dataset before:

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zrep clear pool1/films

It will not delete your data, only specific information for zrep that you have with normal mode.

For each dataset, use the following command (you need to adapt the path)

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zrep failover pool1/films

Then for each dataset (you are always on the backup server) :

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zrep refresh pool1/films

The backup server will take the data from source server (and not the source server which pushes the data).

How to recover backup data via zrep for source server ?

You identify the datasets that you want to recover

You delete metadata for each dataset on backup server (you need to adapt the path)

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zrep clear pool1/films

It doesn't delete the data.

You initialize each dataset with zrep (always connected on backup server)

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zrep init pool1/films hostnameserveurmaitre pool1/destinationfs

Backup server will push data on source server.
It is done