Re: [Qemu-devel] Add support for new image type

[Paolo Bonzini]

Il 09/03/2012 10:23, Kevin Wolf ha scritto:
>> You make really good points on opening up the image file format.
>> I see real value there in that it would foster development of
>> other solutions around that format.  The problem in this case is
>> that StorageCraft's backup image format uses proprietary
>> compression and encryption, and so, regrettably, we can't
>> (currently) open up that code.
>
> This is an interesting statement. Not so much for compression, for
> which I can't know how much better your solution is than common
> algorithms. But I always thought that closed encryption algorithms
> have to be considered bad, because using them would mean relying on
> security by obscurity. Which probably everyone agrees is a bad idea.

And even for compression, having an open decompressor is usually a good
idea.  Some people have no problems with proprietary solutions but do
not like lock in (and wonder what to do with their backups if
StorageCraft disappears).

Paolo