Chapter 1 ETERNUS VSS Hardware Provider
1.2 Functions
ETERNUS VSS Hardware Provider 2.1 User’s Guide
Copyright 2012 FUJITSU LIMITED P3AM-4582-03ENZ0
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For VSSHP supported storage systems, copy types, OSes, requester, and writer, refer to the following
web page.
http://www.fujitsu.com/global/services/computing/storage/eternus/tools/vsshp.html
1.2 Functions
■ Cooperation with Advanced Copy functions
VSSHP uses the Advanced Copy functions of the ETERNUS Disk storage system to create a Shadow
Copy. The Advanced Copy functions allow the ETERNUS Disk storage system to carry out high-speed
data copying operations on its own, with no need for server CPU intervention. The logical copy of a
source volume to a replication volume is very quickly completed within the ETERNUS Disk storage
system. The replication volume is accessible as soon as the logical copy completes. The replicated
volume is a point-in-time copy of the source volume, allowing backup to tape while the source volume is
being updated.
■ Management methods and operation modes for Shadow Copy destination volumes
with VSSHP
The following two operation types for VSSHP are supported. Which method is used depends on how
the volumes for the Shadow Copy destination are managed.
• Target disk pool operation
The user does not specify the Shadow Copy destination explicitly.
• Copy set operation
The user specifies the Shadow Copy destination explicitly.
Both of these modes cannot be used at the same time.
■ Target disk pool operation
Although VSSHP creates a Shadow Copy of a source data, a user does not need to specify the volume
that is to be a Shadow Copy destination. VSSHP manages Shadow Copy destination volumes that are
registered in a target disk pool. This management function for Shadow Copy destination volumes is
called the "Target disk pool management function". An operation mode that uses this function is called
a "Target disk pool operation".
Create a Shadow Copy destination volume and register the volume in the target disk pool management
function in advance. When backup is started by a requester, VSSHP automatically selects an
appropriate volume from the registered volumes in the target disk pool, and creates a Shadow Copy of
the source disk in the volume. After backup has completed, data in the Shadow Copy destination
volume become invalid, and the volume is reused as a Shadow Copy destination at next backup.
Provider Component that reads and writes data to a disk and creates a snapshot
(software provider provided by OS, hardware provider provided by storage
system vendor).
VSSHP is a hardware provider that is provided by Fujitsu.
Coordinator (OS) Basic service that properly controls requester, writer, and provider process.
Classification Description