[rdiff-backup-users] Backup of changing files

[Baldur Norddahl]

Hi,

I want to use rdiff-backup with my Postgresql database. The problem is 
that the tool refuses to backup files that are changing.

The database is live and modifying the database files during the backup. 
This is fine, because I am using the PITR (point in time recovery) 
feature of Postgresql.

Using rsync works fine for this purpose. The database files will 
naturally be damaged on the target, because they changed during the 
copy. However, the database will create journal log files which can then 
be used to repair the backup.

All I need is a switch that tells rdiff-backup that it is ok that the 
target files will not be consistent.

I am aware of an earlier thread on this mail list, which proposes using 
LVM for freezing the source while doing the backup. This will indeed 
work for my purpose, but will require extensively reconfiguration of my 
setup and should be unnecessary. Even using LVM, my backup will be in an 
invalid state (it equals to a database crash). The LVM option adds a lot 
of complexity for little gain.

Thanks,

Baldur