Dell PowerVault ME4 Series Storage System Administrator’s Guide

Create virtual snapshots

1. In the Volumes topic, select from 1 to 16 virtual volumes or snapshots.
   NOTE:You can also select a combination of virtual volumes and snapshots.
2. Select Action > Create Snapshot.
   The Create Snapshots panel opens.
3. Optional: In the Snapshot Name field, change the name for the snapshot. The default is volume-name_sn, where n starts at 0001. A snapshot name is case sensitive and can have a maximum of 32 bytes. It cannot already exist in the system or include the following: " , < \
   If the name is used by another snapshot, you are prompted to enter a different name.
4. Optional: If you want to schedule a create-snapshot task, perform the following:
   • Select the Scheduled check box.
   • Optional: Change the default prefix to identify snapshots created by this task. The default is volumesn, where n starts at 01. The prefix is case sensitive and can have a maximum of 26 bytes. It cannot already exist in the system or include the following: " , < \
   Scheduled snapshots are named prefix_Sn, where n starts at 0001.
   • Optional: Select the number of snapshots to retain from either 1 through 8 if the large pools feature is enabled, or 1 through 32 if the large pools feature is disabled. The default is 1. When the task runs, the retention count is compared with the number of existing snapshots:
     • If the retention count has not been reached, the snapshot is created.
     • If the retention count has been reached, the oldest snapshot for the volume is unmapped, reset, and renamed to the next name in the sequence.
   • Specify a date and a time at least five minutes in the future to run the task. The date must use the format yyyy-mm-dd. The time must use the format hh:mm followed by either AM, PM, or 24H (24-hour clock). For example, 13:00 24H is the same as 1:00 PM.
   • Optional: If you want the task to run more than once, perform the following:
     • Select the Repeat check box and specify how often the task should run.
     • Optional: Select the End check box to specify when the task should stop running.
     • Optional: Select the Time Constraint check box to specify a time range within which the task should run.
     • Optional: Select the Date Constraint check box to specify days when the task should run. Ensure that this constraint includes the start date.
5. Click OK.
   • If Scheduled is not selected, the snapshot is created.
   • If Scheduled is selected, the schedule is created and can be viewed in the Manage Schedules panel. For information on modifying or deleting schedules through this panel, see Managing scheduled tasks.