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-   -   LVM snapshots of ext3 filesystem (https://www.linuxquestions.org/questions/linux-newbie-8/lvm-snapshots-of-ext3-filesystem-4175554519/)

sammie10 09-25-2015 03:23 PM

LVM snapshots of ext3 filesystem
 
I hope I'm posting in the right place, hello, I'm a forum and linux newbie. I am a storage engineer and know enough proprietary linuxese to get by on my various arrays and FC switches. I have tried to find the answer to this question myself through Google but my linux ignorance stumps me. My question: is it possible with RedHat 6.6, filesystem ext3, clustered servers, to set up copy-on-write snapshots (not a clone) of a filesystem. I have no control over the filesystem version, it is ext3.

Thank you for any information and guidance!!

sandy

syg00 09-25-2015 08:11 PM

Probably not - read this page.
Good manual to download - as are the rest of those in the storage section (at least) - docs.redhat.com will get you started, just pick the right version.

ericson007 09-25-2015 09:30 PM

If the reason why you are asking is because of compliance reasons, then I think that in itself will be argument enough to switch file systems.

I am no master at these things, but if versioning for audits are required, I think best to try moving to ext3cow.

Maybe setup a test box and try converting some of that system. If it goes smooth, you may be able to convince higher ups

syg00 09-25-2015 10:49 PM

Snaps of ext3 aren't the problem, clustering is the issue.
Using ext3 in a cluster in the first place might be a much bigger problem though.

Edit: I wouldn't be recommending a filesystem that hasn't had an update since 2008.

sammie10 09-26-2015 08:57 AM

Thanks much ericson & syg! I will look at the docs. I am migrating this data (~100TB) from an existing ext3 RedHat 6.6 server. We're keeping file system to ensure a good migration. It will be a one shot deal, I won't have the opportunity to backup the initial migration or remigrate if a follow-on filesystem upgrade runs into issues. Taking cluster out of the picture, that is an option.

syg00 09-26-2015 07:00 PM

I assume you know all this, but there are some considerations. Snaps are great for backup like that, but;
- snaps are "point in time". If that (source) filesytem is write active, you will lose any updates after the snap is taken.
- if it is (very) active, the snap will start consuming space - maybe (very) quickly. If the snap fills it will usually be automatically unmounted.


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