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space efficient point in time snapshots, and then releasing the VMs from
snapshot mode. The benefits allow VSM to combine the hypervisor and
application aware snapshots from VMware with the SAN snapshots for a better
coordinated data protection plan. VM consistency is determined by a number
of factors such as the VMware Tools being present, application support from
VMware etc. Administrators are leveraging snapshots on a daily basis to help
augment their already existing backup strategies. This can be used to do some
testing, protect prior to an upgrade, or even used as a faster recovery tool for
mission critical VMs.
For more information on the VMware snapshot process, which is invoked
before the datastore volume is snapped at the SAN level refer to VMware KB
article 1015180 Understanding virtual machine snapshots in VMware ESXi and
ESX. http://kb.vmware.com/kb/1015180
INSTALLATION AND CONFIGURATION
VSM is distributed as a virtual appliance that is downloaded from the EqualLogic
support portal and is provided license free as part of the all-inclusive software
suite of the EqualLogic PS Series SAN. VSM is an OFV imported into vCenter
and then is available directly through the vCenter Client application screen.
For installation and configuration of the VSM appliance please refer to TR1067
EqualLogic Virtual Storage Manager: Installation Considerations and Datastore
Manager.
In order for VSM to be able to protect virtual machines residing on datastores,
the PS Series Group that the datastores reside on must be added to the VSM
Group inventory. VSM 3.5 now has support for multiple groups. As long as
each group is managed by VSM, they can be included in SmartCopy operations.
LAUNCHING VSM FOR LOCAL PROTECTION
Once the VSM appliance is installed and running in the environment there will
be a new icon under the Solutions and Applications area from the Home screen
of vCenter.
Throughout this document the terms Auto-Snapshot Manager/VMware,
ASM/VE, and Smart Copy all refer to the coordinated protection process of
VMware snapshots and PS Series SAN snapshots being used together to create
a hypervisor aware array snapshot recovery point.
In addition to launching VSM from the Home screen icon there are newly
available options inside the vCenter GUI. From the Hosts and Clusters view by
right clicking on an object in the left pane a new EqualLogic option shows up in
the context sensitive menu with all of the available relevant tasks. These
EqualLogic menu options show up throughout the vCenter GUI whenever a
EqualLogic VSM related task can be performed. There are multiple points from
which to access the VSM data-protection wizards, depending upon your