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.

The Data ONTAP VSS Hardware Provider integrates the SnapDrive service and storage systems running Data ONTAP into the VSS framework. For more information about VSS, see your SnapDrive documentation.

• Management of Snapshot copies created with VSS
  You must manage the Snapshot copies that SnapManager creates using SnapManager or SnapDrive. Do not use the VSS administration tool vssadmin to manage Snapshot copies that are created by SnapManager using VSS.
• Data ONTAP VSS Hardware Provider requirement
  You must have the Data ONTAP VSS Hardware Provider installed for SnapManager to function properly. Data ONTAP VSS Hardware Provider integrates the SnapDrive service and storage systems running Data ONTAP into the VSS framework.