How SnapManager Backup works
SnapManager Backup uses the Snapshot technology to create online, read-only copies of databases. After you back up the selected Storage Groups, SnapManager deletes the transaction logs that are committed to the databases.
- Types of backups SnapManager can perform
SnapManager gives you the options of volume-wide backup, multiple-volume backup, and partial backup at the volume level.
- The SnapInfo directory
The SnapInfo directory stores information about each Storage Group set that you create, copies of transaction log files, and other data critical to the backup set. It also contains a SnapInfo subdirectory for every backup you create.
- SnapManager backup sets
SnapManager stores backup data in backup sets. A backup set consists of all data that you need to be able to perform a restore process.
- Exchange Storage Group sets
A set of Storage Groups on a single volume that belong to the same server is known as a Storage Group set. When you select a Storage Group for backup, SnapManager backs up the complete Storage Group set to which the Storage Group belongs.
- SnapManager minimum unit of backup
The smallest object you can back up is a Storage Group. For better administration, back up all the Storage Groups in the same Exchange server at the same time.
- SnapManager naming-convention options
SnapManager offers both unique and generic naming conventions for naming Snapshot copies. The unique naming convention contains the variable date_time in the name, and the generic naming convention includes the string recent in the name of the most recent Snapshot copy.
- Backup process in a Windows Server 2003 or Windows Server 2008 environment
SnapManager performs backup individually for each volume you choose to back up, using the following sequence. For example, if two separate volumes are involved, SnapManager performs the sequence of steps once for the first volume, then again for the second volume.
- Why a transaction log backup might contain two Snapshot copies
When you use SnapManager with Exchange Server 2003 in a Windows Server 2003 environment, a single backup creates two Snapshot copies instead of one if the SnapInfo directory is configured on the same volume as the transaction log.
