I've created a couple of pools and datasets (Groups data and VMs) which I'm trying to incorporate into my current backup strategy. In the past, this strategy uses Time Machine and rsync to copy data to a 9T online storage set; this is formatted as HFS+. I also currently use rsync to copy files from various computers and volumes to this same online dataset. Additionally, I use rsync to copy all the non-Time Machine backups to external disks.
I discovered that Time Machine will not back up data from ZFS file systems. From my research, I understand I can create snapshots and use `zfs send/recv` to create incremental backups, but the target file systems must be ZFS. I wish to use my 9T online backup storage set as the target, so I'm trying to find a way to use this.
I've also read I create a pool in a file on a non-ZFS to receive snapshots, but something I read indicates this is not a great approach (nothing further provided). I wish to confirm, please, Is this or is it not a good approach?
If I wish to continue to use the 9T disk set, am I limited to using rsync to create copies of the pools/dataset? If so, will this include snapshots?
Thanks!
Tim