Creating a Snapshot copy

You should always use SnapDrive to create Snapshot copies of LUNs to ensure that Snapshot copies are consistent.

Before you begin

The following requirements must be met in order to successfully create Snapshot copies using SnapDrive:

You must create Snapshot copies through the SnapDrive MMC snap-in or through sdcli.exe, rather than the storage system console or the volume Snapshot copy schedule on the storage system. This is because SnapDrive must first flush NTFS so that the LUN is consistent at the moment the Snapshot copy is made. This ensures the usability of the LUN in the Snapshot copy directory.
Snapshot names must be created using US-ASCII characters only, even when using non-ASCII operating systems.

Note: The SnapDrive service can perform only one task at a time. If you schedule multiple tasks to start at exactly the same time, the first will proceed, and SnapDrive will queue the others until the first task either succeeds or times out.

Steps

Perform the following actions to get to the Create Snapshot menu item:
1. In the left MMC pane, select the instance of SnapDrive you want to manage.
2. Double-click Disks.
3. Double-click the disk for which you want to create a Snapshot copy.
4. Select Snapshots.
5. From the menu choices at the top of MMC, navigate to Action > Create Snapshot.
The Create Snapshot text box is displayed.
In the Create Snapshot text box, perform the following actions:
1. Type an easy-to-interpret name for the Snapshot copy.
  Example
  expenses_db_15Jan07_4pm
  
  Note: Snapshot copy names must be created using US-ASCII characters only, even when using non-ASCII operating systems.
2. Click OK.
  Note: All LUNs in the volume attached to this host are included in the Snapshot copy, as well as LUNs from other hosts that are also in the volume. The only LUNs that will be consistent, however, are those attached to the host initiating the Snapshot copy request.

Result

Your Snapshot copy is created.

Details about the Snapshot copy appear at the bottom panel of the center MMC pane.