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[[File:Ploop-backup.png|300px|right|thumb|How backup via snapshot is done]]
This article explains how to do consistent file-based backups for [[ploop]] containers, using ploop snapshot feature.
== Types of backup ==
There are two ways of doing backups, both have their pros and cons.
* When doing an '''image backup''', one copies ploop image files directly. There can be only one big file, or maybe a few relatively big files. Copying a few big files (rather than a lot of small files) is faster because there's not too much metadata (file info) to be copied). Also, filesystem properties are fully preserving (since images containing the filesystem are copied).
* When doing a '''file backup''', one copies individual container' files. This is more suitable if you want selective backups (such as only some directories/files).
The following table summarizes pros and cons of both approaches.
{| class="wikitable"
! Characteristic
! Image
! File
|-
|| Incremental backups
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes-No}}{{H:title|Requires tools such as rsnapshot|<sup>*</sup>}}
|-
|| Selective backups
| {{No}} || {{Yes}}
|-
|| Faster full backup and restore
| {{Yes}} || {{No}}
|-
| Preserve filesystem properties
| {{Yes}} || {{No}}
|-
|| Compatible with pre-ploop backups
| {{No}} || {{Yes}}
|-
|| Restore individual files
| {{Yes}} || {{Yes}}
|}
== Image-based backups ==
Assuming you have a running container identified by <code>$CTID</code>. The following needs to be done:
<source lang="bash">
# Known snapshot ID
ID=$(uuidgen)
VE_PRIVATE=$(VEID=$CTID; source /etc/vz/vz.conf; source /etc/vz/conf/$CTID.conf; echo $VE_PRIVATE)
# Take a snapshot without suspending a CT and saving its config
vzctl snapshot $CTID --id $ID --skip-suspend --skip-config
# Perform a backup using your favorite backup tool
# (cp is just an example)
cp $VE_PRIVATE/root.hdd/* /backup/destination
# Delete (merge) the snapshot
vzctl snapshot-delete $CTID --id $ID
</source>
== File-based backup ==
Assuming you have a running container identified by <code>$CTID</code>. The following needs to be done:
</source>
[[Category:ploop]]
[[Category:HOWTO]]
