Data Mover Paths

How volume data moves from cluster to durable storage. Both paths use the same Velero protocol (DataUpload / DataDownload CRs) but acquire and transfer data differently.

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Scenario: KubeVirt Virtual Machine Backup
A running VM with a block-mode PVC disk. Incremental backup after initial full backup.
500GB
Disk size
2GB
Changed
Path
Direction

Data Mover Paths

Select a path and direction above, then click any step in the flow to see details. The flow shows how data moves from source to storage (backup) or storage to target (restore).

The Shared Protocol

Both paths use Velero's DataUpload and DataDownload CRDs. The spec.datamover field routes to the correct implementation. Velero ignores CRs where the field doesn't match its own name.

Key Difference

CSI + KopiaStorage layer. Scans the full volume via filesystem mount.
KubeVirt DMHypervisor layer. Uses CBT to identify only changed blocks.

When to Use Which

Any PVCCSI + Kopia (universal)
VM disksKubeVirt DM (optimized)