title: Backing up the DB vs. backing up the VM
body: <p>We're serving a Django/Postgres site running on a VM hypervisor. We're now trying to figure out our back up strategy and have two probable options:</p>
  
  <ol>
  <li>Back up the DB directly using <code>pg_dump</code></li>
  <li>Back up the VM directly by copying the VM image</li>
  </ol>
  
  <p>I'm with the latter as I think, I could simply back up everything that has to do with the site. I'm not sure whether I have to shut down the VM for this though.</p>
  
  <p>What is a better and more recommended way of backing up a DB? Are there any reasons for not using the VM backup?</p>
  
  <p>Thanks</p>