[OT] Understanding Linux backup limitations

[Florian Diesch]

Young <tuxman at knology.net> wrote:

> Oh, great guru, please hear my plea. :)

You have to sacrifice a virgin first. Sorry, but this are the rules.
Well, maybe you can do it later. But don"t forget!


> 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.

You can create an image anytime, e.g. using dd. But as taking an image
takes some time during which the partition may be modified chances are
that the result isn't that useful as it may contain inconsistent file
system or application data. Therefor most image taking programs insist
in unmounting (or at least r/o mounting) a partition before taking an
image.




   Florian
-- 
<http://www.florian-diesch.de/>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
**  Hi! I'm a signature virus! Copy me into your signature, please!  **
-----------------------------------------------------------------------