Acronis Backup for PC - User Guide - Manual (Page 97)

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Skip the task execution
Delaying a backup might be unacceptable, for example, when you need to back up data strictly at the
specified time. Then it makes sense to skip the backup rather than wait for the conditions, especially
if the events occur relatively often.
4.7.23 Volume Shadow Copy Service
These options are effective only for Windows operating systems.
Using Volume Shadow Copy Service
The option defines whether a Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) provider has to notify VSS-aware
applications that the backup is about to start. This ensures the consistent state of all data used by the
applications; in particular, completion of all database transactions at the moment of taking the data
snapshot by Acronis Backup. Data consistency, in turn, ensures that the application will be recovered
in the correct state and become operational immediately after recovery.
The preset is: Use Volume Shadow Copy Service.
Use VSS
When Use Volume Shadow Copy Service is selected, choose a snapshot provider from the following
list:

Hardware/software - Select automatically
VSS will use the hardware-based provider that supports the source volume. If none is found, VSS
will use Acronis VSS Provider.

Software - Select automatically
In most cases, VSS will use Acronis VSS Provider.

Software - Acronis VSS Provider
VSS will use Acronis VSS Provider for taking snapshots.

Software - System provider (selected by default)
VSS will use the system provider (Microsoft Software Shadow Copy provider) for taking
snapshots. We recommend choosing the system provider when backing up application servers
(Microsoft Exchange Server, Microsoft SQL Server, Microsoft SharePoint, or Active Directory).

Software - A software provider
In most cases, VSS will use the Microsoft Software Shadow Copy provider.

Hardware - Select automatically
VSS will use the hardware-based provider that supports the source volume. If no hardware-based
provider is found, backups will be created by means of Acronis Backup without taking snapshots.
Note: Using a hardware snapshot provider may require administrative privileges.
Do not use VSS
If you select Do not use VSS, the data snapshot will be taken by Acronis Backup.
Choose Do not use VSS if your database is incompatible with VSS. Backup process is fastest, but data
consistency of the applications whose transactions are not completed at the time of taking a
snapshot cannot be guaranteed. You may use Pre/Post data capture commands (p. 92) to indicate
which commands should be performed before and after taking the snapshot. This ensures that the
data is being backed up in a consistent state. For instance, specify pre-data capture commands that