How can you create a time-consistent backup of block volume storage across multiple compute instances?

Creating a time-consistent backup of block volume storage across multiple compute instances is best achieved by grouping the volumes in a volume group and then creating a manual backup of that volume group. This method ensures that all volumes within the group are backed up at the same point in time, which is crucial for maintaining data consistency across instances that might be using those volumes simultaneously.

When volumes are grouped, the backup process can capture the state of all included volumes together as a single entity. This prevents scenarios where one volume is backed up while another is still being updated, which can lead to data inconsistency. By performing a manual backup of the volume group, users can ensure that the captured state reflects a snapshot of all group member volumes at the same moment, thereby safeguarding the integrity of data.

In contrast, creating manual backups of individual volumes does not guarantee that all backups are taken at the same time, which might lead to inconsistencies in data if the volumes are actively being modified. Using scripts alone, without prior grouping, does not address the issue of time consistency unless explicitly designed for that purpose. Grouping volumes before backing them up and using the correct method for the backup ensures that the approach is systematic and aligns with best practices for data integrity in cloud environments.