5.19.2 Backing up the User Domains

You can create a backup of all the user domains on a host, or of individual user domains.

There are three ways to back up the user domains:

• Method 1: Back up all user domains in the storage repository using Oracle Cluster File System (OCFS) reflinks to get a consistent backup

  This method backs up the storage repository that is the /EXAVMIMAGES OCFS2 file system. This method provides a more robust and a comprehensive backup than method 2 or 3. Method 3 provides a quicker and an easier backup method, especially in role separated environments.

  Method 1 is best-suited for when a management domain (dom0) administrator is responsible for user domain backups.

• Method 2: Back up individual user domains in the storage repository using Oracle Cluster File System (OCFS) reflinks to get a consistent backup.

  You select which user domains you want to back up from the /EXAVMIMAGES OCFS2 file system. The user domains are located in the /EXAVMIMAGES/GuestImages/user directories.

  Method 2 is best-suited for when a management domain (dom0) administrator is responsible for user domain backups.

• Method 3: Back up a user domain using snapshot-based backup

  This method backs up a single user domain using snapshot-based backup from inside the user domain.

  Method 3 is ideal where a user domain administrator is responsible for the user domain backups.

• Method 1: Back up All the User Domains
  You can back up all the user domains by backing up the storage repository that is the /EXAVMIMAGES OCFS2 file system.
• Method 2: Back up Individual User Domains
  You can back up an individual user domain by backing up its specific folder in /EXAVMIMAGES file system.
• Method 3: Back up a User Domain from Inside the User Domain
  You can take a snapshot-based backup of a user domain from inside the user domain, which can then be used to restore the user domain to a workable state.