SnapManager overview

SnapManager provides you an integrated data management solution for Microsoft Exchange that enhances the availability, scalability, and reliability of Exchange databases. SnapManager provides rapid online backup and restoration of databases, along with local or remote backup set mirroring for disaster recovery.

SnapManager uses online Snapshot technology that is part of Data ONTAP and integrates Exchange backup and restore APIs and Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS). SnapManager uses SnapMirror to support disaster recovery.

SnapManager provides the following data management capabilities:

• SnapManager for Exchange limitations
  SnapManager for Exchange cannot be used with some software versions, features, databases, and server editions.
• Where you install and run SnapManager
  You can use SnapManager with configurations having multiple servers. You can perform local administration, remote administration, and remote verification.
• How SnapManager works with other system components
  SnapManager coordinates with SnapDrive and Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) and uses Snapshot technology to create database backups.
• Snapshot technology in SnapManager
  A Snapshot copy is a point-in-time, real-time, online, and read-only copy of a LUN stored on a volume. SnapManager Backup uses the Snapshot technology to create copies of Exchange databases that reside in these LUNs.
• How SnapManager and SnapDrive work together
  SnapDrive provides the underlying layer of support for SnapManager by working with the NTFS Windows file system, Windows Volume Manager, and LUNs to help you to manage resources on the storage system in the Windows environment.
• How SnapManager uses VSS
  SnapManager is a Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) requestor, which means that it uses the VSS subsystem to initiate backups.
• Comparison of methods for creating restorable backups
  You can create Snapshot copy backups in a variety of ways. It is important to understand when each of these methods can produce a restorable image and when each cannot. SnapManager Backup might create several Snapshot copies, depending on how you configure your Exchange database.
• SnapManager snap-in
  The SnapManager snap-in is based on Microsoft Management Console 3.0 (MMC). The SnapManager snap-in allows you to manage the SnapManager application from Microsoft Management Console.
• The SnapManager graphical user interface
  SnapManager 6.0 for Microsoft Exchange has a graphical user interface based on Microsoft Management Console (MMC). You can use it with other MMC snap-ins to create a single console for managing Exchange and storage system components.
• The SnapManager command-line interface
  SnapManager Microsoft Exchange supports a SnapManager command-line functionality called cmdlet, through SnapManager for Exchange PowerShell. Cmdlets enable you to perform almost all of the jobs that you can perform using the GUI.