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Backup Strategy

All backups originate from zpool0 on pve1-media. Snapshots are managed by sanoid and replicated by syncoid using ZFS send/receive.

Encrypted datasets (zpool0/family, zpool0/vault) are replicated with zfs send --raw so they remain encrypted at rest on backup targets — the backup disks never see plaintext data.


Backup Targets

Target Type Location
backup-local USB 3.0 portable HDD (5TB) On-site — stored in a fire safe box at home
backup-offsite USB 3.0 portable HDD (4TB) Planned off-site at parents' place — currently still at home

Both disks are identical replicas of each other. family and vault remain encrypted on both destinations (raw send). media is excluded except for media/music (irreplaceable lossless rips).


Tools

Tool Role
sanoid Manages snapshot creation and retention policy on zpool0
syncoid Replicates snapshots to backup targets via ZFS send/receive

Snapshot Policy


Replication

Syncoid replicates from zpool0 to each backup target. Raw send is used for encrypted datasets to preserve encryption on the destination.

# Example — encrypted dataset (raw send)
syncoid --sendoptions="w" zpool0/family backup-local/family

# Example — unencrypted dataset
syncoid zpool0/media backup-local/media

What Is Backed Up