ZFS Send / Receive

[dannyboy1121]

Unless I'm missing something - Rsync is still the main engine for replication on NAS4FREE?

For an OS that has a file system with the ability to deliver block level incremental replication via ZFS send / receive, this seems like absolute madness to me.

For anyone using block based functionality (iSCSI LUNs) - nightly backup by replication becomes a full copy exercise rather than a delta copy of changed blocks.

I think it would add value and further credibility to the project if this became a base function of the OS. Rsync has its uses but it's not a tool any serious storage vendor would use at the core of any offering these days.

[b0ssman]

where does it say that rsync is the main engine?

zfs send/receive works on nas4free.

you use that what fits your needs.

[dannyboy1121]

So we have an RSYNC UI management page along with associated scheduler - but I have to rely on scripting zfs send/receive. Yet they're seen to have parity in this distribution?

On the features page .. RSYNC (strangely listed as a protocol, I thought it was a utility but still) - and no mention of ZFS S&R. But equal?

I've been using Nas4Free for a couple of years now and really appreciate the work that's gone in to it - but I continue to be amazed that this is overlooked. Block level incremental replication is a significant feature in storage technology. Why would you not push this as a core feature through the UI with scheduling support?

[b0ssman]

you are free to contribute this as feature.

[actyler1001]

It looks like FreeNAS might be your answer. I am looking into this as well and it is all manual with Nas4Free. Too bad.

[Parkcomm]

I think saying you have to rely on a script is overstating it - zfs send and receive are extremely simple command line commands. I would call it trivial, which means a web gui adds little value. (admittedly it adds a little, but you get my drift)

[ernie]

I think that perhaps Zrep is your solution and there is a post for its installation.

viewtopic.php?t=8166

And the source.
http://www.bolthole.com/solaris/zrep/

It works for me.

[Parkcomm]

You could also look at http://www.manualpages.de/FreeBSD/FreeB ... fer.8.html

I think it'll easily install and run from within a jail - but I haven't tried to do that so i can't confirm for sure. Have a look at Ex1 - Backup a pool (including snapshots and properties)