Snapshot Overview
Snapshot is operated through the SANWatch GUI. The snapshot functionality provides high-level data protection with its immediate, space-efficient copy of storage volumes, and the automated scheduler for hands-free operation. Snapshot facilitates backup tasks and protects enterprise data from disasters and human errors. Snapshot is known for the following benefits:
Fast Protection:
Eases the load on IT staff by creating immediate images of data. IT staff can perform their backup tasks at any given point in time.
Space-efficient:
Using the copy-on-write methodology, snapshot requires minimum disk space. Only changes and updates are written to the snapshot volumes.
Flexibility:
With the capability of producing up to 1024 images, Infortrend’s snapshot is apt for applications such as database analysis, decision support, and research. And there is no need to worry about using up disk space, prune rules can be configured to determine the life expectancy of snapshot images.
Handy Scheduler:
Snapshots can be taken hourly or daily in accordance with the schedules set in a calendar tool.
Capacity Control:
Thresholds can be set on snapshot volumes and the automatic life-cycle mechanisms remove obsolete images.
Immediate Integration:
Snapshot operates with VSS hardware provider so that you can readily enjoy the benefits both by the VSS-compatible software and those by snapshot. When performing a backup task, you need not stop applications or move a huge amount of data. The data to be backed up is allocated as an online copy.
specifications
| Specifications | Professional | |
|---|---|---|
| Capacity | No. of source volumes | Per system LD limitations |
| Snapshots per source volume | 128 | |
| Max. no. of snapshots per system | Up to 1024 (depends on cache size and storage capacity | |
| Online Snapshot Image Mapping | 128 | |
| Snapshot Scheduler & Automated Prune | Yes | |
| Space Threshold Setting & Automated Prune | Yes | |
| OS Flush Agent support | Windows Server 2003 32-bit R2 SP2 and 64-bit R2 SP2 versions | |
| VSS (Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy): examples | VSS requestor: CA ARCserve Backup r11.5, Symantec Backup Exec 11d, | |
| VSS writer: Microsoft SQL Server 2005 | ||
A 30-day free trial of snapshot is provided with all EonStor models supporting snapshot functionality.
VSS Overview
Microsoft VSS (Volume Shadow Copy Service) Support:
VSS hardware provider is included in every SANWatch CD. The hardware provider offers the ease of integration with popular backup software and facilitates backup processes with VSS writers such as Microsoft SQL server.
The VSS compliance cooperates with the snapshot functions in SANWatch. Instant backup and protection will be realized by combining VSS with Infortrend’s hardware-driven snapshot.