Hitachi MK-97DF8018-00 - Manual (Page 14)

1–2 SnapShot Overview
Hitachi Simple Modular Storage Copy-on-Write SnapShot User’s Guide
Copy-on-Write SnapShot Software
Hitachi’s Copy-on-Write Snapshot software creates virtual backup copies of
any data volume within the Simple Modular Storage systems with minimal
impact to host service or performance levels. These snapshots are suitable
for immediate use in decision support, software testing and development,
data backup, or rapid recovery operations.
SnapShot minimizes disruption of planned or unplanned outages for any
application that cannot tolerate downtime for any reason or that requires
non-disruptive sharing of data. Since each snapshot captures only the
changes to the original data volume, the amount of storage space required
for each Copy-on-Write Snapshot is significantly smaller than the original
data volume.
The most probable types of target applications for Copy-on-Write Snapshot
are:
• Database copies for decision support/database inquiries
• Non-disruptive backups from a Copy-on-Write Snapshot V-VOL
• Periodic point-in-time disk copies for rapid restores in the event of a
corrupted data volume
Hardware and Software Configuration
A typical SnapShot hardware configuration includes a Hitachi Simple
Modular Storage system, a host connected to the storage system and
software to configure and manage SnapShot (management software). The
host is connected to the storage system via iSCSI connections. The
management software is connected to the storage system via a
management LAN.
SnapShot employs primary volumes (P-VOLs), virtual volumes (V-VOLs),
data pool, and Hitachi Storage Navigator Modular 2 Graphical User
Interface. Advanced user functionality is available with Storage Navigator 2
Command-Line interface (CLI) and Hitachi Command Control Interface
(CCI). Figure 1-1 shows a typical SnapShot configuration.