Snapshot Management

Snapshot Management

This topic applies to XInsight-managed systems running QSM 4.2 or later, XEVO 3.2 or later, or KSM 1.1 or later.

The Snapshot page provides options to reserve snapshot space, configure snapshot retention and schedules, and create, expose, roll back, restore, or delete snapshots.

Go to Protection > Snapshot. Select a volume type from the drop-down list, and then select the volume that to manage. The available volume types depend on the selected storage system.

Configure Snapshot Settings #

Click the Settings tab on the right panel.

Enable Snapshot #

Turn on the Enable Snapshot toggle to enable snapshot management for the selected volume. The snapshot space, retention, lock, and schedule settings become available after this option is enabled.

Extend Snapshot Space #

The Snapshot Space section displays the allocated, used, and unallocated snapshot capacity.

  1. Enter the amount of snapshot space to add.
  2. Select the capacity unit.
  3. Click Extend.

Tip: Thin-provisioned volumes reserve 10% of their capacity for snapshot space by default. For thick-provisioned volumes, allocate snapshot space manually.

Configure Snapshot Lock #

Turn on Snapshot Lock to protect snapshots with a password.

  1. Enter and confirm the password.
  2. Click Apply.

To unlock the snapshots, enter the same password again.

Important: Keep the snapshot lock password in a secure location. Snapshot protection cannot be disabled without the correct password.

Configure Snapshot Retention #

Under Snapshot Retention, select one of the following policies:

  • Stop when reach maximum: Stops creating snapshots when the maximum snapshot count is reached.
  • Replace the oldest one: Deletes the oldest snapshot to make room for a new snapshot when the maximum count is reached.

Enter the maximum number of snapshots in Max Snapshot Limit.

Configure a Snapshot Schedule #

  1. Turn on Schedule.
  2. Select Weekly, Monthly, or Interval from the Schedule Type list.
  3. Configure the options for the selected schedule type. For example, select one or more days for a weekly schedule.
  4. Set the Start Time.
  5. Click Apply.

Manage Snapshots #

Click the Snapshot List tab to view the snapshot name, size, creation time, and exposure status for the selected volume.

Create a Snapshot #

  1. Click Create.
  2. In the Take Snapshot dialog, enter or modify the snapshot name.
  3. Click Apply.

The new snapshot appears in the snapshot list, and the Last Snapshot value for the volume is updated.

Expose a Snapshot #

Available for QSM and XEVO systems only.

Exposing a snapshot makes its data available for access without rolling back the source volume.

  1. Select the snapshot.
  2. Click Expose.
  3. In the Expose Snapshot dialog, enter the amount of writable space and select the capacity unit.
  4. Click Apply.

The exposure status is updated in the snapshot list.

Warning: Do not mount the source volume and its exposed snapshot volume to the same host at the same time. If both volumes are mounted on the same host, unmount one of them before performing read or write operations. Simultaneous access may cause the partition information on the source volume to be overwritten.

Roll Back a Volume to a Snapshot #

Rolling back restores the volume to its state at the time the selected snapshot was created.

  1. Select the snapshot.
  2. Click Rollback.
  3. Review the warning in the confirmation dialog.
  4. Disconnect the host from the volume to prevent data inconsistencies or incorrect reads caused by cached host data.
  5. Click Confirm.

Warning: Rolling back a volume discards changes made after the selected snapshot was created. Snapshots created after the selected snapshot might also be lost. Back up all required data before proceeding.

Move a Snapshot to the Recycle Bin #

  1. Select the snapshot.
  2. Click Move to Recycle Bin.

The snapshot is removed from the snapshot list and moved to the Recycle Bin, where it can be restored or permanently deleted.

Manage Recycled Snapshots #

Click the Recycle Bin tab to view deleted snapshots and their names, sizes, creation times, and deletion times.

Restore a Snapshot #

  1. Select the snapshot to recover.
  2. Click Restore.

The restored snapshot returns to the snapshot list.

Permanently Delete a Snapshot #

  1. Select the snapshot.
  2. Click Permanently Delete.
  3. Review the warning in the confirmation dialog.
  4. Click Confirm.

Warning: Permanently deleting a snapshot removes it from the storage system. This action cannot be undone.

Table of contents