{ "created": "2024-01-23T02:29:27Z", "hierarchy": [ { "name": "ROOT", "type": "folder", "uri": "/ROOT" }, { "name": "ZFS Notes", "type": "article", "uri": "ZFS_Notes" } ], "html": "\n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n ZFS Notes – Nikhil's Personal Wiki\n \n \n \n \n \n
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ZFS Notes\n \n

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Some Commonly Used Commands

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# View snapshots for a particular pool\nzfs list -t snapshot -r mypool\n\n# View snapshot names only for a given pool (silences the header too)\nzfs list -r -t snapshot -o name -H mypool\n\n# Rename a snapshot\nzfs rename mypool/dataset_foo mypool/dataset_bar\n\n# View the space used by snapshots and the pool\nzfs get used,usedds,usedbysnapshots,usedrefreserv orangepool/media\n\n# Look for zpools\nzfs import\n\n# Import a zpool named 'tank'\nzfs import tank -f\n\n# To see where things are mounted. In Ubuntu's case, it will be at /tank\nzfs get mountpoint\n\n# See the list of upgrades to the zpools\nzpool upgrade\n\n# Perform the upgrades to ALL zpools (YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS AND WHAT\n# YOU'RE DOING HERE.)\nsudo zpool upgrade -a\n\n# See when a snapshot is created. You can get other properties this way as well.\nzfs get creation -t snapshot tank/dataset\n

Backups

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Backup all datasets and snapshots in a Zpool to an external USB drive. This person has basically the same approach except that they’re doing it via manual cron job.

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Run all this stuff as root! Get weird errors with zfs not being able to unmount before receiving snapshots :/

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#!/usr/local/bin/bash\n\nexport SOURCE_POOL="source"\nexport DESTINATION_POOL="backup"\nexport SNAPSHOT_LABEL="manual_monthly_backup"\nexport SNAPSHOT_LABEL_PREV="${SNAPSHOT_LABEL}_previous"\n\n# --- Initial Backup ---\n\n# First, take a snapshot of the pool to back up\n# I have underlying underlying datasets, so make this recursive\nzfs snapshot -r "$SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL"\n\n# Initial transfer. `pv` shows progress nicely. We\n# are backing up all datasets and their snapshots.\nzfs send -R "$SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL" | pv | zfs receive -vF $DESTINATION_POOL\n\n# --- All subsequent backups ---\n\n# Incremental backups! First, rename the old\nzfs rename -r $SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL $SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL_PREV\n\n# Take a fresh new snapshot\nzfs snapshot -r $SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL\n\n# Send incrementals to the destination. The `-i` flag\n# will send the difference between the two arguments to\n# the destination.\n#\n# If all intermediary snapshots are required, use '-I'\nzfs send -R -i $SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL_PREV $SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL | pv | zfs receive -vF $DESTINATION_POOL\n\n# Don't need the previous snapshots anymore... clean up\nzfs destroy -r $SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL_PREV\nzfs destroy -r $DESTINATION_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL_PREV\n

cron Job

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From that forum post up top:

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(\n    zfs rename -r mainpool@offsite-backup-new mainpool@offsite-backup-old;\n    zfs snapshot -r mainpool@offsite-backup-new;\n    zfs send -Ri mainpool@offsite-backup-old mainpool@offsite-backup-new | zfs recv -vFdu usbdrivepool;\n    zfs destroy -r mainpool@offsite-backup-old;\n    zfs destroy -r usbdrivepool@offsite-backup-old;\n) | mail -s "FreeNAS Replication to USB Drive" "myemail@example.com"\n

Other Notes

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I ended up just making a small script that uses rsync and snapshots. Sample:

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TIMESTAMP=$(date "+%Y-%m-%dT%H.%M.%S")\n\nzfs snapshot "backup/miscellaneous@$TIMESTAMP"\nrsync -avWHh --progress --stats /mnt/orangepool/miscellaneous/ /mnt/backup/miscellaneous/\n\nzfs snapshot "backup/media@$TIMESTAMP"\nrsync -avWHh --progress --stats /mnt/orangepool/media/ /mnt/backup/media/\n

Other useful commands:

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# View snapshots for a particular pool\nzfs list -t snapshot -r mypool\n\n# View snapshot names only for a given pool (silences the header too)\nzfs list -r -t snapshot -o name -H backup\n\n# Rename a snapshot\nzfs rename mypool/dataset_foo mypool/dataset_bar\n

Importing and renaming pools:

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# View importable pools\nzpool import\n\n# Import a pool\nzpool import my-pool\n\n# If you messed up a pool's name, export it...\nzpool export my-polo\n\n# ... and import it with the correct name\nzpool import my-polo my-pool\n
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\n \n \n \n \n \n\n", "id": "eaab0a91-5a5a-50bc-8c10-81a89f1fb640", "modified": "2026-01-13T18:47:28Z", "revisions": [ { "authorEmail": "mail@nikhil.io", "authorName": "Nikhil Anand", "date": "2026-01-13T18:47:28Z", "id": "2436477560f26e23d00a24add1cbfeafdca4af78", "shortId": "24364775", "subject": "No compression\n", "content": "## Some Commonly Used Commands\n\n```shell\n# View snapshots for a particular pool\nzfs list -t snapshot -r mypool\n\n# View snapshot names only for a given pool (silences the header too)\nzfs list -r -t snapshot -o name -H mypool\n\n# Rename a snapshot\nzfs rename mypool/dataset_foo mypool/dataset_bar\n\n# View the space used by snapshots and the pool\nzfs get used,usedds,usedbysnapshots,usedrefreserv orangepool/media\n\n# Look for zpools\nzfs import\n\n# Import a zpool named 'tank'\nzfs import tank -f\n\n# To see where things are mounted. In Ubuntu's case, it will be at /tank\nzfs get mountpoint\n\n# See the list of upgrades to the zpools\nzpool upgrade\n\n# Perform the upgrades to ALL zpools (YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS AND WHAT\n# YOU'RE DOING HERE.)\nsudo zpool upgrade -a\n\n# See when a snapshot is created. You can get other properties this way as well.\nzfs get creation -t snapshot tank/dataset\n```\n\n## Backups\n\nBackup all datasets and snapshots in a Zpool to an external USB drive. [This person](https://www.ixsystems.com/community/threads/manually-on-demand-replicating-entire-main-pool-to-external-usb-drive-for-physical-offsite-emergency.79804/) has basically the same approach except that they're doing it via manual `cron` job.\n\n_Run all this stuff as `root`_! Get weird errors with zfs not being able to unmount before receiving snapshots :/\n\n```bash\n#!/usr/local/bin/bash\n\nexport SOURCE_POOL=\"source\"\nexport DESTINATION_POOL=\"backup\"\nexport SNAPSHOT_LABEL=\"manual_monthly_backup\"\nexport SNAPSHOT_LABEL_PREV=\"${SNAPSHOT_LABEL}_previous\"\n\n# --- Initial Backup ---\n\n# First, take a snapshot of the pool to back up\n# I have underlying underlying datasets, so make this recursive\nzfs snapshot -r \"$SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL\"\n\n# Initial transfer. `pv` shows progress nicely. We\n# are backing up all datasets and their snapshots.\nzfs send -R \"$SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL\" | pv | zfs receive -vF $DESTINATION_POOL\n\n# --- All subsequent backups ---\n\n# Incremental backups! First, rename the old\nzfs rename -r $SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL $SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL_PREV\n\n# Take a fresh new snapshot\nzfs snapshot -r $SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL\n\n# Send incrementals to the destination. The `-i` flag\n# will send the difference between the two arguments to\n# the destination.\n#\n# If all intermediary snapshots are required, use '-I'\nzfs send -R -i $SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL_PREV $SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL | pv | zfs receive -vF $DESTINATION_POOL\n\n# Don't need the previous snapshots anymore... clean up\nzfs destroy -r $SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL_PREV\nzfs destroy -r $DESTINATION_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL_PREV\n```\n\n### `cron` Job\n\nFrom that forum post up top:\n\n```bash\n(\n zfs rename -r mainpool@offsite-backup-new mainpool@offsite-backup-old;\n zfs snapshot -r mainpool@offsite-backup-new;\n zfs send -Ri mainpool@offsite-backup-old mainpool@offsite-backup-new | zfs recv -vFdu usbdrivepool;\n zfs destroy -r mainpool@offsite-backup-old;\n zfs destroy -r usbdrivepool@offsite-backup-old;\n) | mail -s \"FreeNAS Replication to USB Drive\" \"myemail@example.com\"\n```\n\n### Other Notes\n\nI ended up just making a small script that uses `rsync` and snapshots. Sample:\n\n```bash\nTIMESTAMP=$(date \"+%Y-%m-%dT%H.%M.%S\")\n\nzfs snapshot \"backup/miscellaneous@$TIMESTAMP\"\nrsync -avWHh --progress --stats /mnt/orangepool/miscellaneous/ /mnt/backup/miscellaneous/\n\nzfs snapshot \"backup/media@$TIMESTAMP\"\nrsync -avWHh --progress --stats /mnt/orangepool/media/ /mnt/backup/media/\n```\n\nOther useful commands:\n\n```bash\n# View snapshots for a particular pool\nzfs list -t snapshot -r mypool\n\n# View snapshot names only for a given pool (silences the header too)\nzfs list -r -t snapshot -o name -H backup\n\n# Rename a snapshot\nzfs rename mypool/dataset_foo mypool/dataset_bar\n```\n\nImporting and renaming pools:\n\n```bash\n# View importable pools\nzpool import\n\n# Import a pool\nzpool import my-pool\n\n# If you messed up a pool's name, export it...\nzpool export my-polo\n\n# ... and import it with the correct name\nzpool import my-polo my-pool\n```\n\n" }, { "authorEmail": "mail@nikhil.io", "authorName": "Nikhil Anand", "date": "2025-07-04T17:34:30Z", "id": "139c56faf338c711cd73868b79ba2312482709d3", "shortId": "139c56fa", "subject": "Notes on snapshot usage\n", "content": "## Some Commonly Used Commands\n\n```shell\n# View snapshots for a particular pool\nzfs list -t snapshot -r mypool\n\n# View snapshot names only for a given pool (silences the header too)\nzfs list -r -t snapshot -o name -H mypool\n\n# Rename a snapshot\nzfs rename mypool/dataset_foo mypool/dataset_bar\n\n# View the space used by snapshots and the pool\nzfs get used,usedds,usedbysnapshots,usedrefreserv orangepool/media\n\n# Look for zpools\nzfs import\n\n# Import a zpool named 'tank'\nzfs import tank -f\n\n# To see where things are mounted. In Ubuntu's case, it will be at /tank\nzfs get mountpoint\n\n# See the list of upgrades to the zpools\nzpool upgrade\n\n# Perform the upgrades to ALL zpools (YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS AND WHAT\n# YOU'RE DOING HERE.)\nsudo zpool upgrade -a\n\n# See when a snapshot is created. You can get other properties this way as well.\nzfs get creation -t snapshot tank/dataset\n```\n\n## Backups\n\nBackup all datasets and snapshots in a Zpool to an external USB drive. [This person](https://www.ixsystems.com/community/threads/manually-on-demand-replicating-entire-main-pool-to-external-usb-drive-for-physical-offsite-emergency.79804/) has basically the same approach except that they're doing it via manual `cron` job.\n\n_Run all this stuff as `root`_! Get weird errors with zfs not being able to unmount before receiving snapshots :/\n\n```bash\n#!/usr/local/bin/bash\n\nexport SOURCE_POOL=\"source\"\nexport DESTINATION_POOL=\"backup\"\nexport SNAPSHOT_LABEL=\"manual_monthly_backup\"\nexport SNAPSHOT_LABEL_PREV=\"${SNAPSHOT_LABEL}_previous\"\n\n# --- Initial Backup ---\n\n# First, take a snapshot of the pool to back up\n# I have underlying underlying datasets, so make this recursive\nzfs snapshot -r \"$SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL\"\n\n# Initial transfer. `pv` shows progress nicely. We\n# are backing up all datasets and their snapshots.\nzfs send -R \"$SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL\" | pv | zfs receive -vF $DESTINATION_POOL\n\n# --- All subsequent backups ---\n\n# Incremental backups! First, rename the old\nzfs rename -r $SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL $SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL_PREV\n\n# Take a fresh new snapshot\nzfs snapshot -r $SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL\n\n# Send incrementals to the destination. The `-i` flag\n# will send the difference between the two arguments to\n# the destination.\n#\n# If all intermediary snapshots are required, use '-I'\nzfs send -R -i $SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL_PREV $SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL | pv | zfs receive -vF $DESTINATION_POOL\n\n# Don't need the previous snapshots anymore... clean up\nzfs destroy -r $SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL_PREV\nzfs destroy -r $DESTINATION_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL_PREV\n```\n\n### `cron` Job\n\nFrom that forum post up top:\n\n```bash\n(\n zfs rename -r mainpool@offsite-backup-new mainpool@offsite-backup-old;\n zfs snapshot -r mainpool@offsite-backup-new;\n zfs send -Ri mainpool@offsite-backup-old mainpool@offsite-backup-new | zfs recv -vFdu usbdrivepool;\n zfs destroy -r mainpool@offsite-backup-old;\n zfs destroy -r usbdrivepool@offsite-backup-old;\n) | mail -s \"FreeNAS Replication to USB Drive\" \"myemail@example.com\"\n```\n\n### Other Notes\n\nI ended up just making a small script that uses `rsync` and snapshots. Sample:\n\n```bash\nTIMESTAMP=$(date \"+%Y-%m-%dT%H.%M.%S\")\n\nzfs snapshot \"backup/miscellaneous@$TIMESTAMP\"\nrsync -avWHh --progress --stats /mnt/orangepool/miscellaneous/ /mnt/backup/miscellaneous/\n\nzfs snapshot \"backup/media@$TIMESTAMP\"\nrsync -avWHh --progress --stats /mnt/orangepool/media/ /mnt/backup/media/\n```\n\nOther useful commands:\n\n```bash\n# View snapshots for a particular pool\nzfs list -t snapshot -r mypool\n\n# View snapshot names only for a given pool (silences the header too)\nzfs list -r -t snapshot -o name -H backup\n\n# Rename a snapshot\nzfs rename mypool/dataset_foo mypool/dataset_bar\n```\n\nImporting and renaming pools:\n\n```bash\n# View importable pools\nzpool import\n\n# Import a pool\nzpool import my-pool\n\n# If you messed up a pool's name, export it...\nzpool export my-polo\n\n# ... and import it with the correct name\nzpool import my-polo my-pool\n```\n\n" }, { "authorEmail": "mail@nikhil.io", "authorName": "Nikhil Anand", "date": "2025-06-06T14:38:23Z", "id": "c94a7e7ca1fce8cd9c634d81b8b5711166546c9c", "shortId": "c94a7e7c", "subject": "Merge branch 'master' of github.com:afreeorange/wiki.nikhil.io.articles\n", "content": "## Some Commonly Used Commands\n\n```shell\n# View snapshots for a particular pool\nzfs list -t snapshot -r mypool\n\n# View snapshot names only for a given pool (silences the header too)\nzfs list -r -t snapshot -o name -H mypool\n\n# Rename a snapshot\nzfs rename mypool/dataset_foo mypool/dataset_bar\n\n# Look for zpools\nzfs import\n\n# Import a zpool named 'tank'\nzfs import tank -f\n\n# To see where things are mounted. In Ubuntu's case, it will be at /tank\nzfs get mountpoint\n\n# See the list of upgrades to the zpools\nzpool upgrade\n\n# Perform the upgrades to ALL zpools (YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS AND WHAT\n# YOU'RE DOING HERE.)\nsudo zpool upgrade -a\n\n# See when a snapshot is created. You can get other properties this way as well.\nzfs get creation -t snapshot tank/dataset\n```\n\n## Backups\n\nBackup all datasets and snapshots in a Zpool to an external USB drive. [This person](https://www.ixsystems.com/community/threads/manually-on-demand-replicating-entire-main-pool-to-external-usb-drive-for-physical-offsite-emergency.79804/) has basically the same approach except that they're doing it via manual `cron` job.\n\n_Run all this stuff as `root`_! Get weird errors with zfs not being able to unmount before receiving snapshots :/\n\n```bash\n#!/usr/local/bin/bash\n\nexport SOURCE_POOL=\"source\"\nexport DESTINATION_POOL=\"backup\"\nexport SNAPSHOT_LABEL=\"manual_monthly_backup\"\nexport SNAPSHOT_LABEL_PREV=\"${SNAPSHOT_LABEL}_previous\"\n\n# --- Initial Backup ---\n\n# First, take a snapshot of the pool to back up\n# I have underlying underlying datasets, so make this recursive\nzfs snapshot -r \"$SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL\"\n\n# Initial transfer. `pv` shows progress nicely. We\n# are backing up all datasets and their snapshots.\nzfs send -R \"$SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL\" | pv | zfs receive -vF $DESTINATION_POOL\n\n# --- All subsequent backups ---\n\n# Incremental backups! First, rename the old\nzfs rename -r $SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL $SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL_PREV\n\n# Take a fresh new snapshot\nzfs snapshot -r $SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL\n\n# Send incrementals to the destination. The `-i` flag\n# will send the difference between the two arguments to\n# the destination.\n#\n# If all intermediary snapshots are required, use '-I'\nzfs send -R -i $SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL_PREV $SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL | pv | zfs receive -vF $DESTINATION_POOL\n\n# Don't need the previous snapshots anymore... clean up\nzfs destroy -r $SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL_PREV\nzfs destroy -r $DESTINATION_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL_PREV\n```\n\n### `cron` Job\n\nFrom that forum post up top:\n\n```bash\n(\n zfs rename -r mainpool@offsite-backup-new mainpool@offsite-backup-old;\n zfs snapshot -r mainpool@offsite-backup-new;\n zfs send -Ri mainpool@offsite-backup-old mainpool@offsite-backup-new | zfs recv -vFdu usbdrivepool;\n zfs destroy -r mainpool@offsite-backup-old;\n zfs destroy -r usbdrivepool@offsite-backup-old;\n) | mail -s \"FreeNAS Replication to USB Drive\" \"myemail@example.com\"\n```\n\n### Other Notes\n\nI ended up just making a small script that uses `rsync` and snapshots. Sample:\n\n```bash\nTIMESTAMP=$(date \"+%Y-%m-%dT%H.%M.%S\")\n\nzfs snapshot \"backup/miscellaneous@$TIMESTAMP\"\nrsync -avWHh --progress --stats /mnt/orangepool/miscellaneous/ /mnt/backup/miscellaneous/\n\nzfs snapshot \"backup/media@$TIMESTAMP\"\nrsync -avWHh --progress --stats /mnt/orangepool/media/ /mnt/backup/media/\n```\n\nOther useful commands:\n\n```bash\n# View snapshots for a particular pool\nzfs list -t snapshot -r mypool\n\n# View snapshot names only for a given pool (silences the header too)\nzfs list -r -t snapshot -o name -H backup\n\n# Rename a snapshot\nzfs rename mypool/dataset_foo mypool/dataset_bar\n```\n\nImporting and renaming pools:\n\n```bash\n# View importable pools\nzpool import\n\n# Import a pool\nzpool import my-pool\n\n# If you messed up a pool's name, export it...\nzpool export my-polo\n\n# ... and import it with the correct name\nzpool import my-polo my-pool\n```\n\n" }, { "authorEmail": "mail@nikhil.io", "authorName": "Nikhil Anand", "date": "2025-06-03T19:29:56Z", "id": "bbbdc1dbf509041a5df4c4e1a84cfbb274f17fd1", "shortId": "bbbdc1db", "subject": "Some reorg on a fucking plane in a seat I am way too uncomfortable in.\n", "content": "## Some Commonly Used Commands\n\n```shell\n# View snapshots for a particular pool\nzfs list -t snapshot -r mypool\n\n# View snapshot names only for a given pool (silences the header too)\nzfs list -r -t snapshot -o name -H mypool\n\n# Rename a snapshot\nzfs rename mypool/dataset_foo mypool/dataset_bar\n\n# Look for zpools\nzfs import\n\n# Import a zpool named 'tank'\nzfs import tank -f\n\n# To see where things are mounted. In Ubuntu's case, it will be at /tank\nzfs get mountpoint\n\n# See the list of upgrades to the zpools\nzpool upgrade\n\n# Perform the upgrades to ALL zpools (YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS AND WHAT\n# YOU'RE DOING HERE.)\nsudo zpool upgrade -a\n\n# See when a snapshot is created. You can get other properties this way as well.\nzfs get creation -t snapshot tank/dataset\n```\n\n## Backups\n\nBackup all datasets and snapshots in a Zpool to an external USB drive. [This person](https://www.ixsystems.com/community/threads/manually-on-demand-replicating-entire-main-pool-to-external-usb-drive-for-physical-offsite-emergency.79804/) has basically the same approach except that they're doing it via manual `cron` job.\n\n_Run all this stuff as `root`_! Get weird errors with zfs not being able to unmount before receiving snapshots :/\n\n```bash\n#!/usr/local/bin/bash\n\nexport SOURCE_POOL=\"source\"\nexport DESTINATION_POOL=\"backup\"\nexport SNAPSHOT_LABEL=\"manual_monthly_backup\"\nexport SNAPSHOT_LABEL_PREV=\"${SNAPSHOT_LABEL}_previous\"\n\n# --- Initial Backup ---\n\n# First, take a snapshot of the pool to back up\n# I have underlying underlying datasets, so make this recursive\nzfs snapshot -r \"$SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL\"\n\n# Initial transfer. `pv` shows progress nicely. We\n# are backing up all datasets and their snapshots.\nzfs send -R \"$SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL\" | pv | zfs receive -vF $DESTINATION_POOL\n\n# --- All subsequent backups ---\n\n# Incremental backups! First, rename the old\nzfs rename -r $SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL $SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL_PREV\n\n# Take a fresh new snapshot\nzfs snapshot -r $SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL\n\n# Send incrementals to the destination. The `-i` flag\n# will send the difference between the two arguments to\n# the destination.\n#\n# If all intermediary snapshots are required, use '-I'\nzfs send -R -i $SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL_PREV $SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL | pv | zfs receive -vF $DESTINATION_POOL\n\n# Don't need the previous snapshots anymore... clean up\nzfs destroy -r $SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL_PREV\nzfs destroy -r $DESTINATION_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL_PREV\n```\n\n### `cron` Job\n\nFrom that forum post up top:\n\n```bash\n(\n zfs rename -r mainpool@offsite-backup-new mainpool@offsite-backup-old;\n zfs snapshot -r mainpool@offsite-backup-new;\n zfs send -Ri mainpool@offsite-backup-old mainpool@offsite-backup-new | zfs recv -vFdu usbdrivepool;\n zfs destroy -r mainpool@offsite-backup-old;\n zfs destroy -r usbdrivepool@offsite-backup-old;\n) | mail -s \"FreeNAS Replication to USB Drive\" \"myemail@example.com\"\n```\n\n### Other Notes\n\nI ended up just making a small script that uses `rsync` and snapshots. Sample:\n\n```bash\nTIMESTAMP=$(date \"+%Y-%m-%dT%H.%M.%S\")\n\nzfs snapshot \"backup/miscellaneous@$TIMESTAMP\"\nrsync -avWHh --progress --stats /mnt/orangepool/miscellaneous/ /mnt/backup/miscellaneous/\n\nzfs snapshot \"backup/media@$TIMESTAMP\"\nrsync -avWHh --progress --stats /mnt/orangepool/media/ /mnt/backup/media/\n```\n\nOther useful commands:\n\n```bash\n# View snapshots for a particular pool\nzfs list -t snapshot -r mypool\n\n# View snapshot names only for a given pool (silences the header too)\nzfs list -r -t snapshot -o name -H backup\n\n# Rename a snapshot\nzfs rename mypool/dataset_foo mypool/dataset_bar\n```\n\nImporting and renaming pools:\n\n```bash\n# View importable pools\nzpool import\n\n# Import a pool\nzpool import my-pool\n\n# If you messed up a pool's name, export it...\nzpool export my-polo\n\n# ... and import it with the correct name\nzpool import my-polo my-pool\n```\n\n" }, { "authorEmail": "mail@nikhil.io", "authorName": "Nikhil Anand", "date": "2025-05-25T00:47:10Z", "id": "d3dd8c0e645a14cae31dcbe73cb1c5bcea306c5d", "shortId": "d3dd8c0e", "subject": "Cleanup\n", "content": "```shell\n# View snapshots for a particular pool\nzfs list -t snapshot -r mypool\n\n# View snapshot names only for a given pool (silences the header too)\nzfs list -r -t snapshot -o name -H mypool\n\n# Rename a snapshot\nzfs rename mypool/dataset_foo mypool/dataset_bar\n\n# Look for zpools\nzfs import\n\n# Import a zpool named 'tank'\nzfs import tank -f\n\n# To see where things are mounted. In Ubuntu's case, it will be at /tank\nzfs get mountpoint\n\n# See the list of upgrades to the zpools\nzpool upgrade\n\n# Perform the upgrades to ALL zpools (YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS AND WHAT\n# YOU'RE DOING HERE.)\nsudo zpool upgrade -a\n\n# See when a snapshot is created. You can get other properties this way as well.\nzfs get creation -t snapshot tank/dataset\n```\n" }, { "authorEmail": "mail@nikhil.io", "authorName": "Nikhil Anand", "date": "2024-04-15T23:21:58Z", "id": "4b2d73989d92e9602a635c4b492f41d43673e735", "shortId": "4b2d7398", "subject": "Merge branch 'master' of github.com:afreeorange/wiki.nikhil.io.articles\n", "content": "```shell\n# View snapshots for a particular pool\nzfs list -t snapshot -r mypool\n\n# View snapshot names only for a given pool (silences the header too)\nzfs list -r -t snapshot -o name -H mypool\n\n# Rename a snapshot\nzfs rename mypool/dataset_foo mypool/dataset_bar\n\n# Look for zpools\nzfs import\n\n# Import a zpool named 'tank'\nzfs import tank -f\n\n# To see where things are mounted. In Ubuntu's case, it will be at /tank\nzfs get mountpoint\n\n# See the list of upgrades to the zpools\nzpool upgrade\n\n# Perform the upgrades to ALL zpools (YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS AND WHAT\n# YOU'RE DOING HERE.)\nsudo zpool upgrade -a\n\n# See when a snapshot is created. You can get other properties this way as well.\nzfs get creation -t snapshot tank/dataset\n```\n" }, { "authorEmail": "mail@nikhil.io", "authorName": "Nikhil Anand", "date": "2024-01-23T02:29:27Z", "id": "eb600021ebd2dec6eedf5fcf73e6c8ba5cbafa68", "shortId": "eb600021", "subject": "Initial commit\n", "content": "```shell\n# View snapshots for a particular pool\nzfs list -t snapshot -r mypool\n\n# View snapshot names only for a given pool (silences the header too)\nzfs list -r -t snapshot -o name -H mypool\n\n# Rename a snapshot\nzfs rename mypool/dataset_foo mypool/dataset_bar\n\n# Look for zpools\nzfs import\n\n# Import a zpool named 'tank'\nzfs import tank -f\n\n# To see where things are mounted. In Ubuntu's case, it will be at /tank\nzfs get mountpoint\n\n# See the list of upgrades to the zpools\nzpool upgrade\n\n# Perform the upgrades to ALL zpools (YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS AND WHAT\n# YOU'RE DOING HERE.)\nsudo zpool upgrade -a\n\n# See when a snapshot is created. You can get other properties this way as well.\nzfs get creation -t snapshot tank/dataset\n```\n" } ], "sizeInBytes": 4021, "source": "## Some Commonly Used Commands\n\n```shell\n# View snapshots for a particular pool\nzfs list -t snapshot -r mypool\n\n# View snapshot names only for a given pool (silences the header too)\nzfs list -r -t snapshot -o name -H mypool\n\n# Rename a snapshot\nzfs rename mypool/dataset_foo mypool/dataset_bar\n\n# View the space used by snapshots and the pool\nzfs get used,usedds,usedbysnapshots,usedrefreserv orangepool/media\n\n# Look for zpools\nzfs import\n\n# Import a zpool named 'tank'\nzfs import tank -f\n\n# To see where things are mounted. In Ubuntu's case, it will be at /tank\nzfs get mountpoint\n\n# See the list of upgrades to the zpools\nzpool upgrade\n\n# Perform the upgrades to ALL zpools (YOU NEED TO KNOW WHAT THIS MEANS AND WHAT\n# YOU'RE DOING HERE.)\nsudo zpool upgrade -a\n\n# See when a snapshot is created. You can get other properties this way as well.\nzfs get creation -t snapshot tank/dataset\n```\n\n## Backups\n\nBackup all datasets and snapshots in a Zpool to an external USB drive. [This person](https://www.ixsystems.com/community/threads/manually-on-demand-replicating-entire-main-pool-to-external-usb-drive-for-physical-offsite-emergency.79804/) has basically the same approach except that they're doing it via manual `cron` job.\n\n_Run all this stuff as `root`_! Get weird errors with zfs not being able to unmount before receiving snapshots :/\n\n```bash\n#!/usr/local/bin/bash\n\nexport SOURCE_POOL=\"source\"\nexport DESTINATION_POOL=\"backup\"\nexport SNAPSHOT_LABEL=\"manual_monthly_backup\"\nexport SNAPSHOT_LABEL_PREV=\"${SNAPSHOT_LABEL}_previous\"\n\n# --- Initial Backup ---\n\n# First, take a snapshot of the pool to back up\n# I have underlying underlying datasets, so make this recursive\nzfs snapshot -r \"$SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL\"\n\n# Initial transfer. `pv` shows progress nicely. We\n# are backing up all datasets and their snapshots.\nzfs send -R \"$SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL\" | pv | zfs receive -vF $DESTINATION_POOL\n\n# --- All subsequent backups ---\n\n# Incremental backups! First, rename the old\nzfs rename -r $SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL $SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL_PREV\n\n# Take a fresh new snapshot\nzfs snapshot -r $SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL\n\n# Send incrementals to the destination. The `-i` flag\n# will send the difference between the two arguments to\n# the destination.\n#\n# If all intermediary snapshots are required, use '-I'\nzfs send -R -i $SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL_PREV $SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL | pv | zfs receive -vF $DESTINATION_POOL\n\n# Don't need the previous snapshots anymore... clean up\nzfs destroy -r $SOURCE_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL_PREV\nzfs destroy -r $DESTINATION_POOL@$SNAPSHOT_LABEL_PREV\n```\n\n### `cron` Job\n\nFrom that forum post up top:\n\n```bash\n(\n zfs rename -r mainpool@offsite-backup-new mainpool@offsite-backup-old;\n zfs snapshot -r mainpool@offsite-backup-new;\n zfs send -Ri mainpool@offsite-backup-old mainpool@offsite-backup-new | zfs recv -vFdu usbdrivepool;\n zfs destroy -r mainpool@offsite-backup-old;\n zfs destroy -r usbdrivepool@offsite-backup-old;\n) | mail -s \"FreeNAS Replication to USB Drive\" \"myemail@example.com\"\n```\n\n### Other Notes\n\nI ended up just making a small script that uses `rsync` and snapshots. Sample:\n\n```bash\nTIMESTAMP=$(date \"+%Y-%m-%dT%H.%M.%S\")\n\nzfs snapshot \"backup/miscellaneous@$TIMESTAMP\"\nrsync -avWHh --progress --stats /mnt/orangepool/miscellaneous/ /mnt/backup/miscellaneous/\n\nzfs snapshot \"backup/media@$TIMESTAMP\"\nrsync -avWHh --progress --stats /mnt/orangepool/media/ /mnt/backup/media/\n```\n\nOther useful commands:\n\n```bash\n# View snapshots for a particular pool\nzfs list -t snapshot -r mypool\n\n# View snapshot names only for a given pool (silences the header too)\nzfs list -r -t snapshot -o name -H backup\n\n# Rename a snapshot\nzfs rename mypool/dataset_foo mypool/dataset_bar\n```\n\nImporting and renaming pools:\n\n```bash\n# View importable pools\nzpool import\n\n# Import a pool\nzpool import my-pool\n\n# If you messed up a pool's name, export it...\nzpool export my-polo\n\n# ... and import it with the correct name\nzpool import my-polo my-pool\n```\n\n", "title": "ZFS Notes", "untracked": false, "uri": "/ZFS_Notes", "relativePath": "ZFS Notes.md" }