Getting Started with Snapshot
A snapshot is a logical image of a source virtual volume at a particular point in time. Snapshot allows you to map the destination virtual volume (snapshot copy) to another computer in order to have a fully usable data image for application testing, backup, or in other situations where you could benefit from using a collection of data as it appeared at some previous point in time.
Before you begin configuring Snapshot, please refer to the topics below for a basic understanding of the feature:
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Refer to About Snapshot for an overview.
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Refer to Best Practices for Configuring and Using the SAN for suggestions on optimal storage allocation and performance using Snapshot.
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Refer to Supported Snapshot Set Configurations for information about valid snapshot configurations.
Follow the steps below, in order, to quickly and easily configure and use Snapshot. Refer to each associated topic for additional instructions.
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Step |
Description |
Topic |
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1 |
You must have source and destination virtual volumes available to begin creating Snapshot sets. (You can also use existing virtual volumes that are in use by application servers. If so, this would be used as the source virtual volume in a set.) Use SANmanager Virtual Volume tab to create virtual volumes (as needed). | |
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2 |
Map the source virtual volumes to application servers through SANmanager SAN Mappings tab. The data written to the mapped virtual volumes is the source of your snapshot copy. (If you already have your source virtual volumes mapped to application servers and in use, skip this step.) | |
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3 |
Select the source and destination virtual volumes to be used in each snapshot set using the SANmanager Snapshot tab. | |
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4 |
If desired, group snapshot sets to perform the same snapshot commands simultaneously on the group using the SANmanager Domains and Groups tab. This step is optional. | |
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5 |
Create a Mapstore virtual volume using the SANmanager Snapshot tab. A Mapstore ensures that snapshot sets remain valid, without loss of the destination virtual volume data, when a storage server is stopped or restarted while sets are enabled. This step is optional, but highly recommended. | |
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6 |
Perform Snapshot functions through the SANcentral Snapshot Utility or the CLI. |
Please reference all topics in the Snapshot Chapter of this Help for a complete understanding of the software.