[OT] Understanding Linux backup limitations

[Brian McKee]

On Fri, Sep 12, 2008 at 4:04 PM, Young <tuxman at knology.net> wrote:
> Oh, great guru, please hear my plea. :)
>
> I want to understand why a Linux partition must be unmounted before a
> cloned image can be created. I haven't been able to find anything yet; I
> guess I don't know the key word to search.
>
> I'd appreciate a lead to something that explains this limitation.
>
> First, I'd like to know if it's a kernel issue, or a file system issue.
> Then an explanation of why the problem exists.

I agree with Bart that the only issue is the darned file might change
while you're backing it up.
That's not a Linux thing, it's a computer thing.

LVM can do 'snapshots' that helps overcome this.  I think Windows
shadow copy is similar.  ZFS has something too.

Brian