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The documentation for RavenDB basically indicates there are several ways of backing up your RavenDB database:

  • Using the supplied Raven.Backup.exe tool
  • Initiating an export from the "studio" web interface
  • Using the client API
  • Using VSS (Volume-Shadow-copy-Services) to copy the RavenDB data directory
  • Initiating an export (not really a true backup) using the "Smuggler" tool or via the studio web interface.

I believe the backups at my organisation are being done "naively" (i.e. directly copying the RavenDB data directory, without involving VSS).

Questions:

  • Are there risks associated with directly copying the RavenDB data directory (not using VSS)? Instinctively, it seems like a bad idea (TM) to me.
  • If we do want to start using VSS, how should we go about it?

Thanks!

eddiewould
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1 Answers1

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I contacted Hibernating Rhinos (RavenDB vendor) who responded:

We require VSS for proper backup if you are using an external tool. To be frank, it is usually better to use the internal backup tooling of RavenDB

So "naively" copying the RavenDB data directory is a no-no.

eddiewould
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