Fun with Postgresql and ZFS
I will show how to use ZFS instant snapshotting and cloning functionality to effortlessly clone a running postgres database regardless of its size. Setup Install your Linux OS of choice then ZFS and Postgres. I use Centos 7 but most commands used in this post are distro-indipendent. Create a zfs pool called tank or use whatever name suits you. In the pool create a filesystem called pgdata . For the sake of following a minimalist ZFS best practice apply the following settings: zfs set compression=lz4 tank/pgdata zfs set xattr=sa tank/pgdata