using rsync:
why not btrfs send | btrfs receive
? is there some advantage to rsync?
did you hotswap the drives after each btrfs replace
or shutdown and then swap?
what’s your host OS and do the drives spin down if inactive?
thanks for the writeup!
regarding the pricy enclosures, there are vastly cheaper eGPU solutions especially if you’re able to utilise the on-board M.2 or mini-PCI slot. if you don’t move the laptop around, it’s a viable option. this would be an example - not an endorsment. you’d need a $15 PSU to power the graphics and it works well in linux, with the hotpluggability being the primary issue; if you’re willing to shutdown before attaching the eGPU, close to no issues.
you can run it as graphics card (i.e. utilize its display outputs) or just use the laptop’s display with optionally switching between the onboard and discrete graphics.