Create Snapshot Virtual Disk Wizard: Additional Instructions for NetWare

Use the following procedure when creating  on a  running NetWare 5.1 (or later). Failure to complete the steps listed might result in an inaccurate point-in-time image of the .

For a process overview of the snapshot virtual disk creation process, see Create Snapshot Virtual Disk Wizard: Process Overview - NetWare.

Snapshot virtual disks might be reused (for frequent or nightly backups) or may be created for one-time usage (speculative change or upgrade testing). For instructions on how to reuse a disabled snapshot virtual disk, see Reusing Snapshot Virtual Disks.

Creating a Snapshot Virtual Disk

Use the following procedure to create a snapshot virtual disk.

Important: Snapshot virtual disks on NetWare might not be mapped on the same host as the base virtual disks.

1

Start the storage management software.

2

Launch an  by selecting the  in either the Tree view or the Table view and select Tools >> Manage Storage Array.

The Array Management Window opens in a separate window.

3

Within the Logical pane of the Array Management Window, select a  and create a snapshot virtual disk by using one of the following methods:

  • Create Snapshot Virtual Disk Wizard, accessed using an Array Management Window. For more information, see Using the Create Snapshot Virtual Disk Wizard.
  • Create a snapshot virtual disk using either the Script Editor or a command line interface on the host operating system. Type the following command, and press Enter:

    create snapshotVirtual Disk

    For command reference information on creating a snapshot virtual disk, refer to the Enterprise Management Window online help.

4

Press Ctrl-Esc, and select Server Console.

The server console prompt is displayed.

5

If supported by the operating system, run the  utility (or other operating system-specific utility), or reboot the host where the snapshot will be used. This action ensures that the host operating system recognizes the snapshot virtual disk.

After virtual disks have been created and  have been defined, run the hot_add utility to ensure that the operating system is aware of the newly created virtual disks, without having to reboot the host. For information on which operating systems support the hot_add utility, refer to your operating system-specific storage management software installation guide.

6

Important: Snapshot virtual disks on NetWare might not be mapped on the same host as the source virtual disk.

Complete the following steps to mount the snapshot virtual disk to its intended host.

a

At the host prompt, type the following command, and press Enter:

nwconfig

The Configuration Options menu is displayed.

b

Select Configuration Options >> Standard Disk Options >> NetWare Virtual Disk Options.

c

Select the virtual disk you want to mount, and press Enter.

The Virtual Disk Information dialog is displayed.

d

Using the arrow keys, select the Status field.

e

Press Enter to display a menu of available actions.

Depending on the status of the virtual disk, this field displays Mounted, Not Mounted, or New.

f

Select Mount, and press Enter.

NetWare mounts the selected virtual disk.

Important: Stop all I/O activity to the source virtual disk at this point (or data transfer suspended) to ensure that an accurate point-in-time image of the source virtual disk is captured.

7

Complete the following steps to dismount the source virtual disk.

a

Select Configuration Options >> Standard Disk Options >> NetWare Virtual Disk Options.

b

Select the virtual disk you want to dismount, and press Enter.

The Virtual Disk Information dialog is displayed.

c

Using the arrow keys, select Status field.

d

Press Enter to display a menu of available actions.

Depending on the status of the virtual disk, this field displays Mounted, Not Mounted, or New.

e

Select Dismount, and press Enter.

NetWare dismounts the selected virtual disk.

8

In the storage management software, re-create the snapshot virtual disk by using one of the following methods:

  • Select Virtual Disk >> Snapshot >> Re-create in the Array Management Window. For more information see Re-creating a Snapshot Virtual Disk.
  • Use either the Script Editor or a command line interface on the host operating system. Type the following command, and press Enter:

    recreateSnapshot virtual disk

    For command reference information on re-creating a snapshot virtual disk, refer to the Enterprise Management Window online help.

9

Return to the server console, and remount the source virtual disk.

10

Exit all applications, and reboot the host operating system.

Important: If I/O activity to the source virtual disk was stopped or data transfer was suspended, resume I/O activity to the source virtual disk at this time (or reenable data transfer).

11

Use the snapshot virtual disk with your backup application (reuse of snapshot virtual disk) or for speculative change and upgrade testing (one-time usage).

For information on reusing a disabled snapshot virtual disk, see Reusing Snapshot Virtual Disks.

12

After the snapshot virtual disk is no longer required, disable or delete the snapshot virtual disk.

If you disable the snapshot virtual disk instead of deleting it, you can retain the snapshot virtual disk and its associated . Then, when you need to create a different snapshot of the same source virtual disk, you can re-create the disabled snapshot virtual disk. This action takes less time than creating a new snapshot virtual disk and stops any reduction in performance that might occur if the snapshot virtual disk remains available.

For more information, see Disabling a Snapshot Virtual Disk or Deleting a Virtual Disk. For command reference information on disabling or deleting a snapshot virtual disk, refer to the Enterprise Management Window online help.

Reusing Snapshot Virtual Disks

Typically, after a snapshot virtual disk has been created, it would be disabled until a new point-in-time image of the same source virtual disk is required. Use the following procedure to create a new point-in-time image of the same source virtual disk.

Important: Stop all I/O activity to the source virtual disk at this point (or data transfer suspended) to ensure that an accurate point-in-time image of the source virtual disk is captured.

1

Complete the following steps to dismount the source virtual disk.

a

Select Configuration Options >> Standard Disk Options >> NetWare Virtual Disk Options.

b

Select the virtual disk you want to dismount, and press Enter.

The Virtual Disk Information dialog is displayed.

c

Using the arrow keys, select Status field.

d

Press Enter to display a menu of available actions.

Depending on the status of the virtual disk, this field displays Mounted, Not Mounted, or New.

e

Select Dismount, and press Enter.

NetWare dismounts the selected virtual disk.

2

In the storage management software, re-create the snapshot virtual disk by using one of the following methods:

  • Select Virtual Disk >> Snapshot >> Re-create in the Array Management Window. For more information see Re-creating a Snapshot Virtual Disk.
  • Using either the Script Editor or a command line interface on the host operating system. Type the following command, and press Enter:

    recreateSnapshot virtual disk

    For command reference information on re-creating a snapshot virtual disk, refer to the Enterprise Management Window online help.

3

Press Ctrl-Esc and select Server Console.

The server console prompt is displayed.

4

If supported by the operating system, run the  utility (or operating system-specific utility), or reboot the host where the snapshot will be used. This action ensures that the host operating system recognizes the snapshot virtual disk.

After virtual disks have been created and virtual disk-to-LUN mappings have been defined, run the hot_add utility to ensure that the operating system is aware of the newly created virtual disks, without having to reboot the host. For information on which operating systems support the hot_add utility, refer to the Netware storage management software installation guide.

5

Remount the source virtual disk.

6

Exit all applications, and reboot the host operating system.

Important: If I/O activity to the source virtual disk was stopped or data transfer was suspended, resume I/O activity to the source virtual disk at this time (or reenable data transfer).

7

Use the snapshot virtual disk with your backup application (or another application).

8

After the snapshot virtual disk is no longer required, disable the snapshot virtual disk.

If you disable the snapshot virtual disk instead of deleting it, you can retain the snapshot virtual disk and its associated snapshot repository virtual disk. Then, when you need to create a different snapshot of the same source virtual disk, you can re-create the disabled snapshot virtual disk. This action takes less time than creating a new snapshot virtual disk, and stops any reduction in performance that might occur if the snapshot virtual disk remains available.

For more information, see Disabling a Snapshot Virtual Disk and Re-creating a Snapshot Virtual Disk. For command reference information on disabling and re-creating a snapshot virtual disk, refer to the Enterprise Management Window online help.

Related Topics

Create Snapshot Virtual Disk Wizard: Additional Instructions

Learn About Creating Snapshot Virtual Disks

Using the Create Snapshot Virtual Disk Wizard