diff --git a/tests/test_destroymissing.py b/tests/test_destroymissing.py
index e2b49fa..3eb7783 100644
--- a/tests/test_destroymissing.py
+++ b/tests/test_destroymissing.py
@@ -13,10 +13,10 @@ class TestZfsNode(unittest2.TestCase):
     def  test_destroymissing(self):
 
         #initial backup
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="10101111000000"): #1000 years in past
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-10101111000000"): #1000 years in past
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --no-holds".split(" ")).run())
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"): #far in past
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"): #far in past
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --no-holds --allow-empty".split(" ")).run())
 
 
diff --git a/tests/test_encryption.py b/tests/test_encryption.py
index 32fb60d..f27cef8 100644
--- a/tests/test_encryption.py
+++ b/tests/test_encryption.py
@@ -48,11 +48,11 @@ class TestZfsEncryption(unittest2.TestCase):
         self.prepare_encrypted_dataset("11111111", "test_source1/fs1/encryptedsourcekeyless", unload_key=True) # raw mode shouldn't need a key
         self.prepare_encrypted_dataset("22222222", "test_target1/encryptedtarget")
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --verbose --no-progress --allow-empty --exclude-received".split(" ")).run())
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1/encryptedtarget --verbose --no-progress --no-snapshot --exclude-received".split(" ")).run())
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000001"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000001"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --verbose --no-progress --allow-empty --exclude-received".split(" ")).run())
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1/encryptedtarget --verbose --no-progress --no-snapshot --exclude-received".split(" ")).run())
 
@@ -85,11 +85,11 @@ test_target1/test_source2/fs2/sub                                     encryption
         self.prepare_encrypted_dataset("11111111", "test_source1/fs1/encryptedsource")
         self.prepare_encrypted_dataset("22222222", "test_target1/encryptedtarget")
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --verbose --no-progress --decrypt --allow-empty --exclude-received".split(" ")).run())
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1/encryptedtarget --verbose --no-progress --decrypt --no-snapshot --exclude-received".split(" ")).run())
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000001"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000001"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --verbose --no-progress --decrypt --allow-empty --exclude-received".split(" ")).run())
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1/encryptedtarget --verbose --no-progress --decrypt --no-snapshot --exclude-received".split(" ")).run())
 
@@ -120,11 +120,11 @@ test_target1/test_source2/fs2/sub                              encryptionroot  -
         self.prepare_encrypted_dataset("11111111", "test_source1/fs1/encryptedsource")
         self.prepare_encrypted_dataset("22222222", "test_target1/encryptedtarget")
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --verbose --no-progress --encrypt --debug --allow-empty --exclude-received".split(" ")).run())
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1/encryptedtarget --verbose --no-progress --encrypt --debug --no-snapshot --exclude-received".split(" ")).run())
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000001"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000001"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --verbose --no-progress --encrypt --debug --allow-empty --exclude-received".split(" ")).run())
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1/encryptedtarget --verbose --no-progress --encrypt --debug --no-snapshot --exclude-received".split(" ")).run())
 
@@ -155,14 +155,14 @@ test_target1/test_source2/fs2/sub                              encryptionroot  -
         self.prepare_encrypted_dataset("11111111", "test_source1/fs1/encryptedsource")
         self.prepare_encrypted_dataset("22222222", "test_target1/encryptedtarget")
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup(
                 "test test_target1 --verbose --no-progress --decrypt --encrypt --debug --allow-empty --exclude-received".split(" ")).run())
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup(
                 "test test_target1/encryptedtarget --verbose --no-progress --decrypt --encrypt --debug --no-snapshot --exclude-received".split(
                     " ")).run())
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000001"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000001"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup(
                 "test test_target1 --verbose --no-progress --decrypt --encrypt --debug --allow-empty --exclude-received".split(" ")).run())
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup(
diff --git a/tests/test_externalfailures.py b/tests/test_externalfailures.py
index b5960dc..821c718 100644
--- a/tests/test_externalfailures.py
+++ b/tests/test_externalfailures.py
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ class TestExternalFailures(unittest2.TestCase):
     def test_initial_resume(self):
 
         # inital backup, leaves resume token
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
             self.generate_resume()
 
         # --test should resume and succeed
@@ -81,11 +81,11 @@ test_target1/test_source2/fs2/sub@test-20101111000000
     def test_incremental_resume(self):
 
         # initial backup
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --allow-empty".split(" ")).run())
 
         # incremental backup leaves resume token
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000001"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000001"):
             self.generate_resume()
 
         # --test should resume and succeed
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ test_target1/test_source2/fs2/sub@test-20101111000000
             self.skipTest("Resume not supported in this ZFS userspace version")
 
         # inital backup, leaves resume token
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
             self.generate_resume()
 
         # remove corresponding source snapshot, so it becomes invalid
@@ -148,11 +148,11 @@ test_target1/test_source2/fs2/sub@test-20101111000000
         shelltest("zfs destroy test_target1/test_source1/fs1/sub; true")
 
         # --test try again, should abort old resume
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000001"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000001"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --test".split(" ")).run())
 
         # try again, should abort old resume
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000001"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000001"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose".split(" ")).run())
 
         r = shelltest("zfs list -H -o name -r -t all test_target1")
@@ -176,22 +176,22 @@ test_target1/test_source2/fs2/sub@test-20101111000000
             self.skipTest("Resume not supported in this ZFS userspace version")
 
         # initial backup
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --allow-empty".split(" ")).run())
 
         # icremental backup, leaves resume token
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000001"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000001"):
             self.generate_resume()
 
         # remove corresponding source snapshot, so it becomes invalid
         shelltest("zfs destroy test_source1/fs1@test-20101111000001")
 
         # --test try again, should abort old resume
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000002"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000002"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --test".split(" ")).run())
 
         # try again, should abort old resume
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000002"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000002"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose".split(" ")).run())
 
         r = shelltest("zfs list -H -o name -r -t all test_target1")
@@ -215,17 +215,17 @@ test_target1/test_source2/fs2/sub@test-20101111000000
         if "0.6.5" in ZFS_USERSPACE:
             self.skipTest("Resume not supported in this ZFS userspace version")
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose".split(" ")).run())
 
         # generate resume
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000001"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000001"):
             self.generate_resume()
 
         with OutputIO() as buf:
             with redirect_stdout(buf):
                 # incremental, doesnt want previous anymore
-                with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000002"):
+                with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000002"):
                     self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup(
                         "test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --keep-target=0 --allow-empty".split(" ")).run())
 
@@ -253,11 +253,11 @@ test_target1/test_source2/fs2/sub@test-20101111000002
         if "0.6.5" in ZFS_USERSPACE:
             self.skipTest("Resume not supported in this ZFS userspace version")
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose".split(" ")).run())
 
         # generate resume
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000001"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000001"):
             self.generate_resume()
 
         shelltest("zfs destroy test_source1/fs1@test-20101111000001")
@@ -265,7 +265,7 @@ test_target1/test_source2/fs2/sub@test-20101111000002
         with OutputIO() as buf:
             with redirect_stdout(buf):
                 # incremental, doesnt want previous anymore
-                with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000002"):
+                with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000002"):
                     self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup(
                         "test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --no-snapshot".split(
                             " ")).run())
@@ -277,14 +277,14 @@ test_target1/test_source2/fs2/sub@test-20101111000002
 
     def test_missing_common(self):
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --allow-empty".split(" ")).run())
 
         # remove common snapshot and leave nothing
         shelltest("zfs release zfs_autobackup:test test_source1/fs1@test-20101111000000")
         shelltest("zfs destroy test_source1/fs1@test-20101111000000")
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000001"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000001"):
             self.assertTrue(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --allow-empty".split(" ")).run())
 
     #UPDATE: offcourse the one thing that wasn't tested had a bug :(  (in ExecuteNode.run()).
@@ -295,7 +295,7 @@ test_target1/test_source2/fs2/sub@test-20101111000002
 #         #recreate target pool without any features
 #         # shelltest("zfs set compress=on test_source1; zpool destroy test_target1; zpool create test_target1 -o feature@project_quota=disabled /dev/ram2")
 #
-#         with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+#         with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
 #             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --verbose --allow-empty --no-progress".split(" ")).run())
 #
 #         r = shelltest("zfs list -H -o name -r -t all test_target1")
diff --git a/tests/test_regressions.py b/tests/test_regressions.py
index 6090b2a..6f11dfd 100644
--- a/tests/test_regressions.py
+++ b/tests/test_regressions.py
@@ -11,17 +11,17 @@ class TestZfsNode(unittest2.TestCase):
     def test_keepsource0target10queuedsend(self):
         """Test if thinner doesnt destroy too much early on if there are no common snapshots YET. Issue #84"""
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup(
                 "test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --keep-source=0 --keep-target=10 --allow-empty --no-send".split(
                     " ")).run())
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000001"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000001"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup(
                 "test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --keep-source=0 --keep-target=10 --allow-empty --no-send".split(
                     " ")).run())
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000002"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000002"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup(
                 "test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --keep-source=0 --keep-target=10 --allow-empty".split(
                     " ")).run())
diff --git a/tests/test_scaling.py b/tests/test_scaling.py
index 49568f6..0e54db6 100644
--- a/tests/test_scaling.py
+++ b/tests/test_scaling.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ class TestZfsScaling(unittest2.TestCase):
         run_counter=0
         with patch.object(ExecuteNode,'run', run_count) as p:
 
-            with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101112000000"):
+            with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101112000000"):
                 self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --keep-source=10000 --keep-target=10000 --no-holds --allow-empty".split(" ")).run())
 
 
@@ -46,7 +46,7 @@ class TestZfsScaling(unittest2.TestCase):
         run_counter=0
         with patch.object(ExecuteNode,'run', run_count) as p:
 
-            with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101112000001"):
+            with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101112000001"):
                 self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --keep-source=10000 --keep-target=10000 --no-holds --allow-empty".split(" ")).run())
 
 
@@ -73,7 +73,7 @@ class TestZfsScaling(unittest2.TestCase):
         run_counter=0
         with patch.object(ExecuteNode,'run', run_count) as p:
 
-            with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101112000000"):
+            with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101112000000"):
                 self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --no-holds --allow-empty".split(" ")).run())
 
 
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ class TestZfsScaling(unittest2.TestCase):
         run_counter=0
         with patch.object(ExecuteNode,'run', run_count) as p:
 
-            with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101112000001"):
+            with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101112000001"):
                 self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --no-holds --allow-empty".split(" ")).run())
 
 
diff --git a/tests/test_sendrecvpipes.py b/tests/test_sendrecvpipes.py
index a8ac73e..48e2a07 100644
--- a/tests/test_sendrecvpipes.py
+++ b/tests/test_sendrecvpipes.py
@@ -16,25 +16,25 @@ class TestSendRecvPipes(unittest2.TestCase):
 
 
         with self.subTest("local local pipe"):
-            with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+            with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
                 self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup(["test", "test_target1", "--exclude-received", "--no-holds", "--no-progress", "--send-pipe=dd bs=1M",  "--recv-pipe=dd bs=2M"]).run())
 
             shelltest("zfs destroy -r test_target1/test_source1/fs1/sub")
 
         with self.subTest("remote local pipe"):
-            with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+            with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
                 self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup(["test", "test_target1", "--exclude-received", "--no-holds", "--no-progress", "--ssh-source=localhost", "--send-pipe=dd bs=1M",  "--recv-pipe=dd bs=2M"]).run())
 
             shelltest("zfs destroy -r test_target1/test_source1/fs1/sub")
 
         with self.subTest("local remote pipe"):
-            with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+            with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
                 self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup(["test", "test_target1",  "--exclude-received", "--no-holds", "--no-progress", "--ssh-target=localhost", "--send-pipe=dd bs=1M",  "--recv-pipe=dd bs=2M"]).run())
 
             shelltest("zfs destroy -r test_target1/test_source1/fs1/sub")
 
         with self.subTest("remote remote pipe"):
-            with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+            with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
                 self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup(["test", "test_target1",  "--exclude-received", "--no-holds", "--no-progress", "--ssh-source=localhost", "--ssh-target=localhost", "--send-pipe=dd bs=1M",  "--recv-pipe=dd bs=2M"]).run())
 
     def test_compress(self):
@@ -43,7 +43,7 @@ class TestSendRecvPipes(unittest2.TestCase):
         for compress in zfs_autobackup.compressors.COMPRESS_CMDS.keys():
 
             with self.subTest("compress "+compress):
-                with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+                with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
                     self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup(["test", "test_target1", "--exclude-received", "--no-holds", "--no-progress", "--compress="+compress]).run())
 
                 shelltest("zfs destroy -r test_target1/test_source1/fs1/sub")
@@ -53,25 +53,25 @@ class TestSendRecvPipes(unittest2.TestCase):
 
 
         with self.subTest("local local pipe"):
-            with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+            with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
                 self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup(["test", "test_target1", "--exclude-received", "--no-holds", "--no-progress", "--buffer=1M" ]).run())
 
             shelltest("zfs destroy -r test_target1/test_source1/fs1/sub")
 
         with self.subTest("remote local pipe"):
-            with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+            with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
                 self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup(["test", "test_target1", "--exclude-received", "--no-holds", "--no-progress", "--ssh-source=localhost", "--buffer=1M"]).run())
 
             shelltest("zfs destroy -r test_target1/test_source1/fs1/sub")
 
         with self.subTest("local remote pipe"):
-            with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+            with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
                 self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup(["test", "test_target1",  "--exclude-received", "--no-holds", "--no-progress", "--ssh-target=localhost", "--buffer=1M"]).run())
 
             shelltest("zfs destroy -r test_target1/test_source1/fs1/sub")
 
         with self.subTest("remote remote pipe"):
-            with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+            with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
                 self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup(["test", "test_target1",  "--exclude-received", "--no-holds", "--no-progress", "--ssh-source=localhost", "--ssh-target=localhost", "--buffer=1M"]).run())
 
     def test_rate(self):
@@ -79,7 +79,7 @@ class TestSendRecvPipes(unittest2.TestCase):
 
 
         start=time.time()
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup(["test", "test_target1", "--exclude-received", "--no-holds", "--no-progress", "--rate=50k" ]).run())
 
         #not a great way of verifying but it works.
diff --git a/tests/test_zfsautobackup.py b/tests/test_zfsautobackup.py
index 666d78b..e95c02b 100644
--- a/tests/test_zfsautobackup.py
+++ b/tests/test_zfsautobackup.py
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ class TestZfsAutobackup(unittest2.TestCase):
     def  test_snapshotmode(self):
         """test snapshot tool mode"""
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test --no-progress --verbose".split(" ")).run())
 
         r=shelltest("zfs list -H -o name -r -t all "+TEST_POOLS)
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ test_target1
         with self.subTest("no datasets selected"):
             with OutputIO() as buf:
                 with redirect_stderr(buf):
-                    with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+                    with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
                         self.assertTrue(ZfsAutobackup("nonexisting test_target1 --verbose --debug --no-progress".split(" ")).run())
 
                 print(buf.getvalue())
@@ -67,7 +67,7 @@ test_target1
 
         with self.subTest("defaults with full verbose and debug"):
 
-            with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+            with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
                 self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --verbose --debug --no-progress".split(" ")).run())
 
             r=shelltest("zfs list -H -o name -r -t all "+TEST_POOLS)
@@ -96,7 +96,7 @@ test_target1/test_source2/fs2/sub@test-20101111000000
 """)
 
         with self.subTest("bare defaults, allow empty"):
-            with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000001"):
+            with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000001"):
                 self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --allow-empty --no-progress".split(" ")).run())
 
 
@@ -167,14 +167,14 @@ test_target1/test_source2/fs2/sub@test-20101111000001  userrefs  1         -
 
         #make sure time handling is correctly. try to make snapshots a year appart and verify that only snapshots mostly 1y old are kept
         with self.subTest("test time checking"):
-            with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20111111000000"):
+            with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20111111000000"):
                 self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --allow-empty --verbose --no-progress".split(" ")).run())
 
 
             time_str="20111112000000" #month in the "future"
             future_timestamp=time_secs=time.mktime(time.strptime(time_str,"%Y%m%d%H%M%S"))
             with patch('time.time', return_value=future_timestamp):
-                with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20111111000001"):
+                with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20111111000001"):
                     self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --allow-empty --verbose --keep-source 1y1y --keep-target 1d1y --no-progress".split(" ")).run())
 
 
@@ -214,7 +214,7 @@ test_target1/test_source2/fs2/sub@test-20111111000001
         r=shelltest("zfs snapshot test_source1/fs1@othersimple")
         r=shelltest("zfs snapshot test_source1/fs1@otherdate-20001111000000")
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose".split(" ")).run())
 
             r=shelltest("zfs list -H -o name -r -t all "+TEST_POOLS)
@@ -249,7 +249,7 @@ test_target1/test_source2/fs2/sub@test-20101111000000
         r=shelltest("zfs snapshot test_source1/fs1@othersimple")
         r=shelltest("zfs snapshot test_source1/fs1@otherdate-20001111000000")
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --other-snapshots".split(" ")).run())
 
             r=shelltest("zfs list -H -o name -r -t all "+TEST_POOLS)
@@ -284,7 +284,7 @@ test_target1/test_source2/fs2/sub@test-20101111000000
 
     def  test_nosnapshot(self):
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --verbose --no-snapshot --no-progress".split(" ")).run())
 
             r=shelltest("zfs list -H -o name -r -t all "+TEST_POOLS)
@@ -308,7 +308,7 @@ test_target1/test_source2/fs2
 
     def  test_nosend(self):
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --verbose --no-send --no-progress".split(" ")).run())
 
             r=shelltest("zfs list -H -o name -r -t all "+TEST_POOLS)
@@ -331,7 +331,7 @@ test_target1
     def  test_ignorereplicated(self):
         r=shelltest("zfs snapshot test_source1/fs1@otherreplication")
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --ignore-replicated".split(" ")).run())
 
             r=shelltest("zfs list -H -o name -r -t all "+TEST_POOLS)
@@ -360,7 +360,7 @@ test_target1/test_source2/fs2/sub@test-20101111000000
 
     def  test_noholds(self):
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --verbose --no-holds --no-progress".split(" ")).run())
 
             r=shelltest("zfs get -r userrefs test_source1 test_source2 test_target1")
@@ -392,7 +392,7 @@ test_target1/test_source2/fs2/sub@test-20101111000000  userrefs  0         -
 
     def  test_strippath(self):
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --verbose --strip-path=1 --no-progress".split(" ")).run())
 
             r=shelltest("zfs list -H -o name -r -t all "+TEST_POOLS)
@@ -428,7 +428,7 @@ test_target1/fs2/sub@test-20101111000000
 
         r=shelltest("zfs set refreservation=1M test_source1/fs1")
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --clear-refreservation".split(" ")).run())
 
             r=shelltest("zfs get refreservation -r test_source1 test_source2 test_target1")
@@ -466,7 +466,7 @@ test_target1/test_source2/fs2/sub@test-20101111000000  refreservation  -
             self.skipTest("This zfs-userspace version doesnt support -o")
 
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --clear-mountpoint --debug".split(" ")).run())
 
             r=shelltest("zfs get canmount -r test_source1 test_source2 test_target1")
@@ -499,18 +499,18 @@ test_target1/test_source2/fs2/sub@test-20101111000000  canmount  -         -
     def  test_rollback(self):
 
         #initial backup
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose".split(" ")).run())
 
         #make change
         r=shelltest("zfs mount test_target1/test_source1/fs1")
         r=shelltest("touch /test_target1/test_source1/fs1/change.txt")
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000001"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000001"):
             #should fail (busy)
             self.assertTrue(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --allow-empty".split(" ")).run())
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000002"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000002"):
             #rollback, should succeed
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --allow-empty --rollback".split(" ")).run())
 
@@ -518,14 +518,14 @@ test_target1/test_source2/fs2/sub@test-20101111000000  canmount  -         -
     def  test_destroyincompat(self):
 
         #initial backup
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose".split(" ")).run())
 
         #add multiple compatible snapshot (written is still 0)
         r=shelltest("zfs snapshot test_target1/test_source1/fs1@compatible1")
         r=shelltest("zfs snapshot test_target1/test_source1/fs1@compatible2")
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000001"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000001"):
             #should be ok, is compatible
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --allow-empty".split(" ")).run())
 
@@ -535,19 +535,19 @@ test_target1/test_source2/fs2/sub@test-20101111000000  canmount  -         -
         r=shelltest("zfs snapshot test_target1/test_source1/fs1@incompatible1")
 
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000002"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000002"):
             #--test should fail, now incompatible
             self.assertTrue(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --allow-empty --test".split(" ")).run())
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000002"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000002"):
             #should fail, now incompatible
             self.assertTrue(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --allow-empty".split(" ")).run())
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000003"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000003"):
             #--test should succeed by destroying incompatibles
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --allow-empty --destroy-incompatible --test".split(" ")).run())
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000003"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000003"):
             #should succeed by destroying incompatibles
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --allow-empty --destroy-incompatible".split(" ")).run())
 
@@ -585,13 +585,13 @@ test_target1/test_source2/fs2/sub@test-20101111000003
 
         #test all ssh directions
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --allow-empty --ssh-source localhost --exclude-received".split(" ")).run())
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000001"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000001"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --allow-empty --ssh-target localhost --exclude-received".split(" ")).run())
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000002"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000002"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --allow-empty --ssh-source localhost --ssh-target localhost".split(" ")).run())
 
 
@@ -636,7 +636,7 @@ test_target1/test_source2/fs2/sub@test-20101111000002
     def  test_minchange(self):
 
         #initial
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --min-change 100000".split(" ")).run())
 
         #make small change, use umount to reflect the changes immediately
@@ -646,7 +646,7 @@ test_target1/test_source2/fs2/sub@test-20101111000002
 
 
         #too small change, takes no snapshots
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000001"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000001"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --min-change 100000".split(" ")).run())
 
         #make big change
@@ -654,7 +654,7 @@ test_target1/test_source2/fs2/sub@test-20101111000002
         r=shelltest("zfs umount test_source1/fs1; zfs mount test_source1/fs1")
 
         #bigger change, should take snapshot
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000002"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000002"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --min-change 100000".split(" ")).run())
 
         r=shelltest("zfs list -H -o name -r -t all "+TEST_POOLS)
@@ -687,7 +687,7 @@ test_target1/test_source2/fs2/sub@test-20101111000000
     def  test_test(self):
 
         #initial
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --test".split(" ")).run())
 
         r=shelltest("zfs list -H -o name -r -t all "+TEST_POOLS)
@@ -704,12 +704,12 @@ test_target1
 """)
 
         #actual make initial backup
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000001"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000001"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose".split(" ")).run())
 
 
         #test incremental
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000002"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000002"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --allow-empty --verbose --test".split(" ")).run())
 
         r=shelltest("zfs list -H -o name -r -t all "+TEST_POOLS)
@@ -745,7 +745,7 @@ test_target1/test_source2/fs2/sub@test-20101111000001
         shelltest("zfs create test_target1/test_source1")
         shelltest("zfs send  test_source1/fs1@migrate1| zfs recv test_target1/test_source1/fs1")
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose".split(" ")).run())
 
         r=shelltest("zfs list -H -o name -r -t all "+TEST_POOLS)
@@ -778,15 +778,15 @@ test_target1/test_source2/fs2/sub@test-20101111000000
     def test_keep0(self):
         """test if keep-source=0 and keep-target=0 dont delete common snapshot and break backup"""
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --keep-source=0 --keep-target=0".split(" ")).run())
 
         #make snapshot, shouldnt delete 0
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000001"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000001"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test --no-progress --verbose --keep-source=0 --keep-target=0 --allow-empty".split(" ")).run())
 
         #make snapshot 2, shouldnt delete 0 since it has holds, but will delete 1 since it has no holds
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000002"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000002"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test --no-progress --verbose --keep-source=0 --keep-target=0 --allow-empty".split(" ")).run())
 
         r = shelltest("zfs list -H -o name -r -t all " + TEST_POOLS)
@@ -818,7 +818,7 @@ test_target1/test_source2/fs2/sub@test-20101111000000
 """)
 
         #make another backup but with no-holds. we should naturally endup with only number 3
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000003"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000003"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --keep-source=0 --keep-target=0 --no-holds --allow-empty".split(" ")).run())
 
         r = shelltest("zfs list -H -o name -r -t all " + TEST_POOLS)
@@ -848,7 +848,7 @@ test_target1/test_source2/fs2/sub@test-20101111000003
 
 
         # run with snapshot-only for 4, since we used no-holds, it will delete 3 on the source, breaking the backup
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000004"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000004"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test --no-progress --verbose --keep-source=0 --keep-target=0 --allow-empty".split(" ")).run())
 
         r = shelltest("zfs list -H -o name -r -t all " + TEST_POOLS)
@@ -883,7 +883,7 @@ test_target1/test_source2/fs2/sub@test-20101111000003
         r = shelltest("zfs snapshot test_source1@test")
 
         l=LogConsole(show_verbose=True, show_debug=False, color=False)
-        n=ZfsNode("test",l)
+        n=ZfsNode(snapshot_time_format="bla", hold_name="bla", logger=l)
         d=ZfsDataset(n,"test_source1@test")
 
         sp=d.send_pipe([], prev_snapshot=None, resume_token=None, show_progress=True, raw=False, send_pipes=[], send_properties=True, write_embedded=True, zfs_compressed=True)
diff --git a/tests/test_zfsautobackup31.py b/tests/test_zfsautobackup31.py
index baa9111..4d56856 100644
--- a/tests/test_zfsautobackup31.py
+++ b/tests/test_zfsautobackup31.py
@@ -10,10 +10,10 @@ class TestZfsAutobackup31(unittest2.TestCase):
 
     def test_no_thinning(self):
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --allow-empty".split(" ")).run())
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000001"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000001"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --allow-empty --keep-target=0 --keep-source=0 --no-thinning".split(" ")).run())
 
             r=shelltest("zfs list -H -o name -r -t all "+TEST_POOLS)
@@ -54,10 +54,10 @@ test_target1/test_source2/fs2/sub@test-20101111000001
         shelltest("zfs create test_target1/a")
         shelltest("zfs create test_target1/b")
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1/a --no-progress --verbose --debug".split(" ")).run())
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000001"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000001"):
             self.assertFalse(ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1/b --no-progress --verbose".split(" ")).run())
 
             r=shelltest("zfs list -H -o name -r -t snapshot test_target1")
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ test_target1/b/test_target1/a/test_source1/fs1/sub@test-20101111000000
 
     def test_zfs_compressed(self):
 
-        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="20101111000000"):
+        with patch('time.strftime', return_value="test-20101111000000"):
             self.assertFalse(
                 ZfsAutobackup("test test_target1 --no-progress --verbose --debug --zfs-compressed".split(" ")).run())
 
diff --git a/tests/test_zfsnode.py b/tests/test_zfsnode.py
index 4d64e00..e916205 100644
--- a/tests/test_zfsnode.py
+++ b/tests/test_zfsnode.py
@@ -12,60 +12,60 @@ class TestZfsNode(unittest2.TestCase):
     def test_consistent_snapshot(self):
         logger = LogStub()
         description = "[Source]"
-        node = ZfsNode("test", logger, description=description)
+        node = ZfsNode(snapshot_time_format="test-%Y%m%d%H%M%S", hold_name="zfs_autobackup:test", logger=logger, description=description)
 
         with self.subTest("first snapshot"):
-            node.consistent_snapshot(node.selected_datasets(exclude_paths=[], exclude_received=False, exclude_unchanged=False, min_change=200000), "test-1", 100000)
+            node.consistent_snapshot(node.selected_datasets(property_name="autobackup:test",exclude_paths=[], exclude_received=False, exclude_unchanged=False, min_change=200000), "test-20101111000001", 100000)
             r = shelltest("zfs list -H -o name -r -t all " + TEST_POOLS)
             self.assertEqual(r, """
 test_source1
 test_source1/fs1
-test_source1/fs1@test-1
+test_source1/fs1@test-20101111000001
 test_source1/fs1/sub
-test_source1/fs1/sub@test-1
+test_source1/fs1/sub@test-20101111000001
 test_source2
 test_source2/fs2
 test_source2/fs2/sub
-test_source2/fs2/sub@test-1
+test_source2/fs2/sub@test-20101111000001
 test_source2/fs3
 test_source2/fs3/sub
 test_target1
 """)
 
         with self.subTest("second snapshot, no changes, no snapshot"):
-            node.consistent_snapshot(node.selected_datasets(exclude_paths=[], exclude_received=False, exclude_unchanged=False, min_change=200000), "test-2", 1)
+            node.consistent_snapshot(node.selected_datasets(property_name="autobackup:test",exclude_paths=[], exclude_received=False, exclude_unchanged=False, min_change=200000), "test-20101111000002", 1)
             r = shelltest("zfs list -H -o name -r -t all " + TEST_POOLS)
             self.assertEqual(r, """
 test_source1
 test_source1/fs1
-test_source1/fs1@test-1
+test_source1/fs1@test-20101111000001
 test_source1/fs1/sub
-test_source1/fs1/sub@test-1
+test_source1/fs1/sub@test-20101111000001
 test_source2
 test_source2/fs2
 test_source2/fs2/sub
-test_source2/fs2/sub@test-1
+test_source2/fs2/sub@test-20101111000001
 test_source2/fs3
 test_source2/fs3/sub
 test_target1
 """)
 
         with self.subTest("second snapshot, no changes, empty snapshot"):
-            node.consistent_snapshot(node.selected_datasets(exclude_paths=[], exclude_received=False, exclude_unchanged=False, min_change=200000), "test-2", 0)
+            node.consistent_snapshot(node.selected_datasets(property_name="autobackup:test", exclude_paths=[], exclude_received=False, exclude_unchanged=False, min_change=200000), "test-20101111000002", 0)
             r = shelltest("zfs list -H -o name -r -t all " + TEST_POOLS)
             self.assertEqual(r, """
 test_source1
 test_source1/fs1
-test_source1/fs1@test-1
-test_source1/fs1@test-2
+test_source1/fs1@test-20101111000001
+test_source1/fs1@test-20101111000002
 test_source1/fs1/sub
-test_source1/fs1/sub@test-1
-test_source1/fs1/sub@test-2
+test_source1/fs1/sub@test-20101111000001
+test_source1/fs1/sub@test-20101111000002
 test_source2
 test_source2/fs2
 test_source2/fs2/sub
-test_source2/fs2/sub@test-1
-test_source2/fs2/sub@test-2
+test_source2/fs2/sub@test-20101111000001
+test_source2/fs2/sub@test-20101111000002
 test_source2/fs3
 test_source2/fs3/sub
 test_target1
@@ -74,12 +74,12 @@ test_target1
     def test_consistent_snapshot_prepostcmds(self):
         logger = LogStub()
         description = "[Source]"
-        node = ZfsNode("test", logger, description=description, debug_output=True)
+        node = ZfsNode(snapshot_time_format="test", hold_name="test", logger=logger, description=description, debug_output=True)
 
         with self.subTest("Test if all cmds are executed correctly (no failures)"):
             with OutputIO() as buf:
                 with redirect_stdout(buf):
-                    node.consistent_snapshot(node.selected_datasets(exclude_paths=[], exclude_received=False, exclude_unchanged=False, min_change=1), "test-1",
+                    node.consistent_snapshot(node.selected_datasets(property_name="autobackup:test", exclude_paths=[], exclude_received=False, exclude_unchanged=False, min_change=1), "test-1",
                                              0,
                                              pre_snapshot_cmds=["echo pre1", "echo pre2"],
                                              post_snapshot_cmds=["echo post1 >&2", "echo post2 >&2"]
@@ -95,7 +95,7 @@ test_target1
             with OutputIO() as buf:
                 with redirect_stdout(buf):
                     with self.assertRaises(ExecuteError):
-                        node.consistent_snapshot(node.selected_datasets(exclude_paths=[], exclude_received=False, exclude_unchanged=False, min_change=1), "test-1",
+                        node.consistent_snapshot(node.selected_datasets(property_name="autobackup:test", exclude_paths=[], exclude_received=False, exclude_unchanged=False, min_change=1), "test-1",
                                                  0,
                                                  pre_snapshot_cmds=["echo pre1", "false", "echo pre2"],
                                                  post_snapshot_cmds=["echo post1", "false", "echo post2"]
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ test_target1
                 with redirect_stdout(buf):
                     with self.assertRaises(ExecuteError):
                         #same snapshot name as before so it fails
-                        node.consistent_snapshot(node.selected_datasets(exclude_paths=[], exclude_received=False, exclude_unchanged=False, min_change=1), "test-1",
+                        node.consistent_snapshot(node.selected_datasets(property_name="autobackup:test", exclude_paths=[], exclude_received=False, exclude_unchanged=False, min_change=1), "test-1",
                                                  0,
                                                  pre_snapshot_cmds=["echo pre1", "echo pre2"],
                                                  post_snapshot_cmds=["echo post1", "echo post2"]
@@ -137,8 +137,8 @@ test_target1
 
         logger = LogStub()
         description = "[Source]"
-        node = ZfsNode("test", logger, description=description)
-        s = pformat(node.selected_datasets(exclude_paths=[], exclude_received=False, exclude_unchanged=True, min_change=1))
+        node = ZfsNode(snapshot_time_format="test-%Y%m%d%H%M%S", hold_name="zfs_autobackup:test", logger=logger, description=description)
+        s = pformat(node.selected_datasets(property_name="autobackup:test", exclude_paths=[], exclude_received=False, exclude_unchanged=True, min_change=1))
         print(s)
 
         # basics
@@ -150,7 +150,7 @@ test_target1
     def test_validcommand(self):
         logger = LogStub()
         description = "[Source]"
-        node = ZfsNode("test", logger, description=description)
+        node = ZfsNode(snapshot_time_format="test-%Y%m%d%H%M%S", hold_name="zfs_autobackup:test", logger=logger, description=description)
 
         with self.subTest("test invalid option"):
             self.assertFalse(node.valid_command(["zfs", "send", "--invalid-option", "nonexisting"]))
@@ -160,7 +160,7 @@ test_target1
     def test_supportedsendoptions(self):
         logger = LogStub()
         description = "[Source]"
-        node = ZfsNode("test", logger, description=description)
+        node = ZfsNode(snapshot_time_format="test-%Y%m%d%H%M%S", hold_name="zfs_autobackup:test", logger=logger, description=description)
         # -D propably always supported
         self.assertGreater(len(node.supported_send_options), 0)
 
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ test_target1
         logger = LogStub()
         description = "[Source]"
         # NOTE: this could hang via ssh if we dont close filehandles properly. (which was a previous bug)
-        node = ZfsNode("test", logger, description=description, ssh_to='localhost')
+        node = ZfsNode(snapshot_time_format="test-%Y%m%d%H%M%S", hold_name="zfs_autobackup:test", logger=logger, description=description, ssh_to='localhost')
         self.assertIsInstance(node.supported_recv_options, list)
 
 
diff --git a/zfs_autobackup/ZfsAutobackup.py b/zfs_autobackup/ZfsAutobackup.py
index c8dc515..e47a03c 100644
--- a/zfs_autobackup/ZfsAutobackup.py
+++ b/zfs_autobackup/ZfsAutobackup.py
@@ -135,6 +135,13 @@ class ZfsAutobackup:
         parser.add_argument('--buffer', metavar='SIZE', default=None,
                             help='Add zfs send and recv buffers to smooth out IO bursts. (e.g. 128M. requires mbuffer)')
 
+        parser.add_argument('--snapshot-format', metavar='FORMAT', default="{}-%Y%m%d%H%M%S",
+                            help='Snapshot naming format. Default: %(default)s')
+        parser.add_argument('--property-format', metavar='FORMAT', default="autobackup:{}",
+                            help='Select property naming format. Default: %(default)s')
+        parser.add_argument('--hold-format', metavar='FORMAT', default="zfs_autobackup:{}",
+                            help='Hold naming format. Default: %(default)s')
+
         parser.add_argument('--version', action='store_true',
                             help='Show version.')
 
@@ -464,6 +471,19 @@ class ZfsAutobackup:
             if self.args.test:
                 self.warning("TEST MODE - SIMULATING WITHOUT MAKING ANY CHANGES")
 
+            #format all the names
+            property_name = self.args.property_format.format(self.args.backup_name)
+            snapshot_time_format = self.args.snapshot_format.format(self.args.backup_name)
+            hold_name = self.args.hold_format.format(self.args.backup_name)
+
+            self.verbose("")
+            self.verbose("Selecting dataset property : {}".format(property_name))
+            self.verbose("Snapshot format            : {}".format(snapshot_time_format))
+
+            if not self.args.no_holds:
+                self.verbose("Hold name                  : {}".format(hold_name))
+
+
             ################ create source zfsNode
             self.set_title("Source settings")
 
@@ -472,17 +492,9 @@ class ZfsAutobackup:
                 source_thinner = None
             else:
                 source_thinner = Thinner(self.args.keep_source)
-            source_node = ZfsNode(self.args.backup_name, self, ssh_config=self.args.ssh_config,
+            source_node = ZfsNode(snapshot_time_format=snapshot_time_format, hold_name=hold_name, logger=self, ssh_config=self.args.ssh_config,
                                   ssh_to=self.args.ssh_source, readonly=self.args.test,
                                   debug_output=self.args.debug_output, description=description, thinner=source_thinner)
-            source_node.verbose(
-                "Selecting dataset property: 'autobackup:{}'".format(
-                    self.args.backup_name, self.args.backup_name))
-
-            source_node.verbose("Snapshot prefix           : '{}-'".format(self.args.backup_name))
-
-            if not self.args.no_holds:
-                source_node.verbose("Hold name                 : '{}'".format("zfs_autobackup:" + self.args.backup_name))
 
 
             ################# select source datasets
@@ -503,7 +515,7 @@ class ZfsAutobackup:
                     self.warning("Source and target are on the same host, excluding received datasets from selection.")
                     exclude_received = True
 
-            source_datasets = source_node.selected_datasets(exclude_received=exclude_received,
+            source_datasets = source_node.selected_datasets(property_name=property_name,exclude_received=exclude_received,
                                                                      exclude_paths=exclude_paths,
                                                                      exclude_unchanged=self.args.exclude_unchanged,
                                                                      min_change=self.args.min_change)
@@ -517,7 +529,8 @@ class ZfsAutobackup:
             ################# snapshotting
             if not self.args.no_snapshot:
                 self.set_title("Snapshotting")
-                source_node.consistent_snapshot(source_datasets, source_node.new_snapshotname(),
+                snapshot_name=time.strftime(snapshot_time_format)
+                source_node.consistent_snapshot(source_datasets, snapshot_name,
                                                 min_changed_bytes=self.args.min_change,
                                                 pre_snapshot_cmds=self.args.pre_snapshot_cmd,
                                                 post_snapshot_cmds=self.args.post_snapshot_cmd)
@@ -532,7 +545,7 @@ class ZfsAutobackup:
                     target_thinner = None
                 else:
                     target_thinner = Thinner(self.args.keep_target)
-                target_node = ZfsNode(self.args.backup_name, self, ssh_config=self.args.ssh_config,
+                target_node = ZfsNode(snapshot_time_format=snapshot_time_format, hold_name=hold_name, logger=self, ssh_config=self.args.ssh_config,
                                       ssh_to=self.args.ssh_target,
                                       readonly=self.args.test, debug_output=self.args.debug_output,
                                       description="[Target]",
diff --git a/zfs_autobackup/ZfsDataset.py b/zfs_autobackup/ZfsDataset.py
index 44b8035..de89846 100644
--- a/zfs_autobackup/ZfsDataset.py
+++ b/zfs_autobackup/ZfsDataset.py
@@ -321,15 +321,14 @@ class ZfsDataset:
             return True
 
     def is_ours(self):
-        """return true if this snapshot is created by this backup_name"""
-        if re.match("^" + self.zfs_node.backup_name + "-[0-9]*$", self.snapshot_name):
-            return True
-        else:
+        """return true if this snapshot name has format"""
+        try:
+            test = self.timestamp
+        except ValueError as e:
+            self.error(str(e))
             return False
 
-    @property
-    def _hold_name(self):
-        return "zfs_autobackup:" + self.zfs_node.backup_name
+        return True
 
     @property
     def holds(self):
@@ -341,30 +340,26 @@ class ZfsDataset:
 
     def is_hold(self):
         """did we hold this snapshot?"""
-        return self._hold_name in self.holds
+        return self.zfs_node.hold_name in self.holds
 
     def hold(self):
         """hold dataset"""
         self.debug("holding")
-        self.zfs_node.run(["zfs", "hold", self._hold_name, self.name], valid_exitcodes=[0, 1])
+        self.zfs_node.run(["zfs", "hold", self.zfs_node.hold_name, self.name], valid_exitcodes=[0, 1])
 
     def release(self):
         """release dataset"""
         if self.zfs_node.readonly or self.is_hold():
             self.debug("releasing")
-            self.zfs_node.run(["zfs", "release", self._hold_name, self.name], valid_exitcodes=[0, 1])
+            self.zfs_node.run(["zfs", "release", self.zfs_node.hold_name, self.name], valid_exitcodes=[0, 1])
 
     @property
     def timestamp(self):
         """get timestamp from snapshot name. Only works for our own snapshots
         with the correct format.
         """
-        time_str = re.findall("^.*-([0-9]*)$", self.snapshot_name)[0]
-        if len(time_str) != 14:
-            raise (Exception("Snapshot has invalid timestamp in name: {}".format(self.snapshot_name)))
 
-        # new format:
-        time_secs = time.mktime(time.strptime(time_str, "%Y%m%d%H%M%S"))
+        time_secs = time.mktime(time.strptime(self.snapshot_name, self.zfs_node.snapshot_time_format))
         return time_secs
 
     def from_names(self, names):
diff --git a/zfs_autobackup/ZfsNode.py b/zfs_autobackup/ZfsNode.py
index b738bb3..1461ffb 100644
--- a/zfs_autobackup/ZfsNode.py
+++ b/zfs_autobackup/ZfsNode.py
@@ -17,9 +17,13 @@ from .ExecuteNode import ExecuteError
 class ZfsNode(ExecuteNode):
     """a node that contains zfs datasets. implements global (systemwide/pool wide) zfs commands"""
 
-    def __init__(self, backup_name, logger, ssh_config=None, ssh_to=None, readonly=False, description="",
+    def __init__(self, snapshot_time_format, hold_name, logger, ssh_config=None, ssh_to=None, readonly=False,
+                 description="",
                  debug_output=False, thinner=None):
-        self.backup_name = backup_name
+
+        self.snapshot_time_format = snapshot_time_format
+        self.hold_name = hold_name
+
         self.description = description
 
         self.logger = logger
@@ -54,7 +58,7 @@ class ZfsNode(ExecuteNode):
         if self.__thinner is not None:
             return self.__thinner.thin(objects, keep_objects)
         else:
-            return ( keep_objects, [] )
+            return (keep_objects, [])
 
     @CachedProperty
     def supported_send_options(self):
@@ -129,8 +133,9 @@ class ZfsNode(ExecuteNode):
                         bytes_left = self._progress_total_bytes - bytes_
                         minutes_left = int((bytes_left / (bytes_ / (time.time() - self._progress_start_time))) / 60)
 
-                        self.logger.progress("Transfer {}% {}MB/s (total {}MB, {} minutes left)".format(percentage, speed, int(
-                            self._progress_total_bytes / (1024 * 1024)), minutes_left))
+                        self.logger.progress(
+                            "Transfer {}% {}MB/s (total {}MB, {} minutes left)".format(percentage, speed, int(
+                                self._progress_total_bytes / (1024 * 1024)), minutes_left))
 
             return
 
@@ -158,11 +163,8 @@ class ZfsNode(ExecuteNode):
     def debug(self, txt):
         self.logger.debug("{} {}".format(self.description, txt))
 
-    def new_snapshotname(self):
-        """determine uniq new snapshotname"""
-        return self.backup_name + "-" + time.strftime("%Y%m%d%H%M%S")
-
-    def consistent_snapshot(self, datasets, snapshot_name, min_changed_bytes, pre_snapshot_cmds=[], post_snapshot_cmds=[]):
+    def consistent_snapshot(self, datasets, snapshot_name, min_changed_bytes, pre_snapshot_cmds=[],
+                            post_snapshot_cmds=[]):
         """create a consistent (atomic) snapshot of specified datasets, per pool.
         """
 
@@ -214,7 +216,7 @@ class ZfsNode(ExecuteNode):
                 except Exception as e:
                     pass
 
-    def selected_datasets(self, exclude_received, exclude_paths, exclude_unchanged, min_change):
+    def selected_datasets(self, property_name, exclude_received, exclude_paths, exclude_unchanged, min_change):
         """determine filesystems that should be backed up by looking at the special autobackup-property, systemwide
 
            returns: list of ZfsDataset
@@ -225,7 +227,7 @@ class ZfsNode(ExecuteNode):
         # get all source filesystems that have the backup property
         lines = self.run(tab_split=True, readonly=True, cmd=[
             "zfs", "get", "-t", "volume,filesystem", "-o", "name,value,source", "-H",
-            "autobackup:" + self.backup_name
+            property_name
         ])
 
         # The returnlist of selected ZfsDataset's:
@@ -249,7 +251,9 @@ class ZfsNode(ExecuteNode):
                 source = raw_source
 
             # determine it
-            if dataset.is_selected(value=value, source=source, inherited=inherited, exclude_received=exclude_received, exclude_paths=exclude_paths, exclude_unchanged=exclude_unchanged, min_change=min_change):
+            if dataset.is_selected(value=value, source=source, inherited=inherited, exclude_received=exclude_received,
+                                   exclude_paths=exclude_paths, exclude_unchanged=exclude_unchanged,
+                                   min_change=min_change):
                 selected_filesystems.append(dataset)
 
         return selected_filesystems