Snapshot Features

Different from making a full copy for a LUN, snapshot copies LUN data at a certain point in time through pointers and resource LUNs. A snapshot is created instantly without affecting host services. The obtained snapshot can serve as a data source for backup and archiving. It enables storage devices to flexibly and frequently create recovery points for quick data recovery. License Support This feature requires a license.

Function Implementation
This section describes the implementation principles of snapshot. Implementation Principles The core technology of snapshot is mapping list management. To read a snapshot, first query the mapping list. Next, read corresponding data in the resource LUN according to the mapping items in the mapping list. If no mapping list exists, read the source LUN. A snapshot comprises the resource LUN, source LUN, and mapping list. Figure 1 shows the schematic diagram of snapshot. Figure 1 Schematic of snapshot

NOTE: The mapping list on the upper right corner shows the mapping relationships of the snapshot data. The mapping list comprises a group of pointers. The left numeral in each mapping item refers to the source address and is used as a key value for queries. The right numeral in each mapping item refers to the address of the resource LUN.

 Mapping items can be added or deleted. Processing Procedure Snapshot is implemented as follows: 1. When a snapshot is created, a mapping list is generated to store field data addresses. When the process of creating a snapshot begins, all mapping pointers points must point to the source LUN, as shown in Figure 2. Figure 2 Creating a snapshot for the source LUN

2. To modify the source LUN, first copy the data to be modified to the resource LUN. Next, revise the mapping list so that the pointers point to the corresponding locations on the resource LUN. Then, the source LUN can be modified. This is called a Copy-on-Write (CoW) operation, as shown in Figure 3. If the source LUN is to be re-modified, the CoW operation is not needed again. Figure 3 Modifying the source LUN

Application Scenarios of Snapshot

This section describes the application scenarios of snapshot. The snapshot can be applied in various scenarios to: Create fully available duplicates to recover source LUN data Snapshot can instantly create a fully available duplicate for the source LUN. If source LUN data is lost due to virus or misoperations, the snapshot data rolls back to recover the source LUN data. CAUTION: To avoid changing or overwriting the source LUN data during HyperCopy, do not take the timing session LUN as the source LUN for a full HyperCopy. Doing so may cause data inconsistency between the source LUN and target LUN. Provide data emulation test services Data emulation test services include testing, application development, data mining, data analysis, and concurrent batch tasking. Ensure data consistency in replicating, copying, or migrating source LUN data Replicating, copying, or migrating source LUN data cannot be completed instantly. This means that the consistency of the duplicate data cannot be guaranteed if source LUN services are not interrupted. If a snapshot is created for the source LUN, the snapshot can replicate, copy or migrate data to ensure data consistency and avoid affecting source LUN services. Deliver the timing session function The timing session function provided by snapshot allows you to freely formulate backup policies, according to which, snapshots are created. This is safe and reliable, and reduces manpower. POffer the snapshot copy function The snapshot data needs to be backed up sometimes. This can be done by using the snapshot copy function, which instantly creates a new snapshot that is identical to the source snapshot.