Administrator Guide

Consistent Snapshot Profile Non-Consistent Snapshot Profile
Halts IO across all volumes as a group Halts IO for each volume independently of other volumes.
Resource intensive Less resource intensive — depends on the amount of data
written since the previous snapshot
Number of volumes limited based on storage controller.
• SC8000, SC9000, and SC7020: 100
• SCv2000: 25
• SC4020: 40
No limit to the number of volumes to which the Snapshot Profile
is attached
Snapshots are taken of all volumes simultaneously Choose between Standard (one volume at a time) or Parallel (all
volumes simultaneously)
Can set an Alert if snapshots cannot be completed within a
defined time. Snapshots not completed before alert is generated
are not taken. (This suspension can lead to incomplete groups of
snapshots across volumes.)
All snapshots are taken
Can delete incomplete group of snapshots All snapshots are taken
Can be converted to Non-Consistent Snapshot Profile Can be converted to Consistent Snapshot Profile
Creating and Applying Snapshot Profiles
To create and expire snapshots automatically, create a Snapshot Profile and apply it to one or more volumes or servers.
NOTE: For user interface reference information, click Help.
Create a Snapshot Profile
Create a Snapshot Profile to define automated snapshot creation and expiration schedules that can be applied to volumes.
1. Expand the Dell Storage Manager menu, and then click Storage.
2. In the SC Series tab, select a Storage Center to open the Storage Center view.
3. Click the Storage tab.
4. Click the Snapshot Profiles subtab.
5. Click New Snapshot Profile. The New Snapshot Profile dialog box opens.
6. In the Name field, type a name for the Snapshot Profile.
7. Add a rule to the Snapshot Profile.
a. Click Add Rule. The Add Rule dialog box opens.
b. From the drop-down menu, select the frequency at which the rule runs.
c. Configure the date(s) and time(s) at which you want snapshots to be created.
d. In the Expiration field, type the length of time to keep snapshots before deleting them.
e. Click OK. The Add Rule dialog box closes.
8. (Optional) Create additional rules as necessary.
9. From the Snapshot Creation Method drop-down menu, select an option to control how snapshots triggered by the Snapshot
Profile are created.
• Standard – When selected, takes snapshots in series for all volumes associated with the snapshot.
• Parallel – When selected, takes snapshots simultaneously for all volumes associated with the snapshot.
• Consistent – When selected, halts IO and takes snapshots for all volumes associated with the snapshot. Provides options
for timing out snapshot creation and expiring incomplete snapshots.
10. When you are finished, click OK.
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