Dataset and SnapVault integration

Dataset and SnapVault integration with SnapManager provides an integrated, rapid way to create, restore, and manage remote backup sets and archives. SnapManager coordinates with Protection Manager for the integration.

The functionality for dataset and SnapVault integration is available only if you are using Data ONTAP 7.3 or later, along with Protection Manager 3.7 or later. SnapManager uses Data ONTAP Snapshot technology to create and restore local backup copies.

Note: Protection Manager integration can be enabled without reinstalling SnapManager for Exchange anytime by rerunning the Configuration wizard. You must first ensure that you have configured SnapDrive for Protection Manager integration. If you have not already done so, you can set up SnapDrive Protection Manager integration via the sdcli command, and then restart the SnapDrive service, or you can rerun the SnapDrive setup. (See the SnapDrive help for more information on Protection Manager integration.)

Dataset concepts
Associating a data protection, disaster recovery, or provisioning policy with a dataset lets storage administrators automate tasks, such as assigning consistent policies to primary data, propagating policy changes, and provisioning new volumes, qtrees, or LUNS on primary and secondary dataset nodes. The licenses that you have installed determine which policies are available.
Available functionalities of dataset and SnapVault integration with SnapManager
By using dataset and SnapVault integration with SnapManager, you can create, manage, verify and restore remote backup copies. You can select dataset policies, manage remote backup copies, perform temporary restore operations and remote backup integrity verification operations.
Dataset configuration
A storage set grouped with its configuration information makes a data set. Data sets associate the LUNs used by an Exchange server to the related set of protection policies. This enables the administrator to protect the data through remote backup and relate to the corresponding resource pool. One data set is created for each Exchange server on the server host.
Local backup protection using dataset and SnapVault integration
SnapManager uses datasets to create remote backup copies of local data residing in the primary Storage Group. You must schedule your backup operations such that their transfer to SnapVault secondary storage does not get affected.
Information used to create remote backups
When configured for archiving, SnapManager creates remote backups after it creates local backups. SnapManager sends certain information like the local backup version, the local backup management group, and the list of backup LUNs to SnapDrive before the remote backup operation can take place.
Remote backup retention
Remote backup retention refers to the duration of time that the remote backups that are retained at a secondary Storage Group. SnapManager and Protection Manager work together to retain or delete your backups, based on the protection policy that you select for a dataset.
Deferred database integrity verification with SnapVault
You can defer integrity verification of either the local or remote backup copies.
Restoring from a remote backup
The process for restoring from a remote backup copy is almost the same as that for restoring a local backup copy, except that the remote backup copy needs to be restored from the archived backup.