Administrator's Guide

Enabling and creating shadow copies
Enabling shadow copies on a volume automatically results in several actions:
• Creates a shadow copy of the selected volume.
• Sets the maximum storage space for the shadow copies.
• Schedules shadow copies to be made at 7 a.m. and 12 noon on weekdays.
NOTE: Creating a shadow copy only makes one copy of the volume; it does not create a schedule.
NOTE: After the first shadow copy is created, it cannot be relocated. Relocate the cache file by
altering the cache file location under Properties prior to enabling shadow copy. See Viewing
shadow copy properties (page 41).
Viewing a list of shadow copies
To view a list of shadow copies on a volume:
1. Access Disk Management.
2. Select the volume or logical drive, then right-click on it.
3. Select Properties.
4. Select Shadow Copies tab.
All shadow copies are listed, sorted by the date and time they were created.
NOTE: It is also possible to create new shadow copies or delete shadow copies from this page.
Set schedules
Shadow copy schedules control how frequently shadow copies of a volume are made. There are
a number of factors that can help determine the most effective shadow copy schedule for an
organization. These include the work habits and locations of the users. For example, if users do
not all live in the same time zone, or they work on different schedules, it is possible to adjust the
daily shadow copy schedule to allow for these differences.
Do not schedule shadow copies more frequently than once per hour.
NOTE: When deleting a shadow copy schedule, that action has no effect on existing shadow
copies.
Viewing shadow copy properties
The Shadow Copy Properties page lists the number of copies, the date and time the most recent
shadow copy was made, and the maximum size setting.
CAUTION: Use caution when reducing the size limit for all shadow copies. When the size is set
to less than the total size currently used for all shadow copies, enough shadow copies are deleted
to reduce the total size to the new limit. A shadow copy cannot be recovered after it has been
deleted.
NOTE: For volumes where shadow copies do not exist currently, it is possible to change the
location of the cache file. Managing the cache files on a separate disk is recommended.
Redirecting shadow copies to an alternate volume
IMPORTANT: Shadow copies must be initially disabled on the volume before redirecting to an
alternate volume. If shadow copies are enabled and you disable them, a message appears informing
you that all existing shadow copies on the volume will be permanently deleted.
To redirect shadow copies to an alternate volume:
Volume shadow copies 41