Using Volume Shadow Copy

Question

Can Volume Shadow Copy (VSS) be Used with DataKeeper Volumes?

Answer

VSS Shadow Copy can be enabled for DataKeeper volumes. However, the following guidelines apply:

• VSS snapshot images must not be stored on a DataKeeper volume. Storing VSS snapshots on a DataKeeper volume will prevent DataKeeper from being able to lock the volume and switch it over to another node.

• When a DataKeeper volume is switched or failed over, any previous snapshots that were taken of the DataKeeper volume are discarded and cannot be reused. Note: Snapshots are only removed when the replicated volume is protected by a LifeKeeper volume resource.

• VSS snapshot scheduling is not copied between the DataKeeper servers. If snapshots are scheduled to be taken twice a day on the primary server and a switchover occurs, this schedule will not be present on the backup server and will need to be redefined on the backup server.

• When switching back to a server where snapshots were previously enabled, VSS snapshots are automatically re-enabled; HOWEVER, any previous snapshots that were taken of the DataKeeper volume are discarded and cannot be reused.

How to Enable Volume Shadow Copy (VSS)

Please follow the steps below to Enable VSS:

1. Start Windows Explorer, then right-click the volume and bring up its properties.
   1. In the “Shadow Copies” tab you turn on automatic backups of that volume.

Note: You can store those backups on the volume itself or on another volume, but you should not save them on a different LK/DK-protected volume.

Here “Shadow Copies” are disabled.

2. Click the Enable button. (It will set up a default backup schedule.)
   1. Click Settings to customize it.

*LK/DK knows how to turn the shadow copy schedule for a volume off when it is taken out of service, and back on when it comes in service.