How do you synchronise huge sparse files (VM disk images) between machines?

Posted by chrisdew on Server Fault See other posts from Server Fault or by chrisdew
Published on 2009-09-17T16:59:56Z Indexed on 2012/10/06 15:40 UTC
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linux

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rsync

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kvm-virtualization

Is there a command, such as rsync, which can synchronise huge, sparse, files from one linux server to another?

It is very important that the destination file remains sparse. It may be longer (but not bigger) than the drive which contains it. Only changed blocks should be sent across the wire.

I have tried rsync, but got no joy. groups.google.com/group/mailing.unix.rsync/browse_thread/thread/94f39271980513d3

If I write a programme to do this, am I just reinventing the wheel? http://www.finalcog.com/synchronise-block-devices

Thanks,

Chris.

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