Overland Storage SnapSAN VSS User manual

Overland
Storage SnapSAN™VSS
User Guide
August 2012
10400401-001

Overland Storage, Inc.
9112 Spectrum Center Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92123
U.S.A.
Tel: [phone] (toll-free U.S.)
Tel: [phone] Option 5 (International)
Fax: [phone] (general)
Fax: [phone] (sales)
www.overlandstorage.com
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SnapSAN VSS User Guide
©2012 Overland Storage, Inc. All rights reserved.
Overland®, Overland Data®, Overland Storage®, ARCvault®, DynamicRAID®, LibraryPro®, LoaderXpress®, Multi-SitePAC®, NEO®, NEO
Series®, PowerLoader®, Protection OS®, REO®, REO 4000®, REO Series®, Snap Appliance®, Snap Care® (EU only), SnapServer®, StorAssure®,
Ultamus®, VR2®, and XchangeNOW®are registered trademarks of Overland Storage, Inc.
GuardianOS™, RAINcloud™, SnapDisk™, SnapEDR™, Snap Enterprise Data Replicator™, SnapExpansion™, SnapSAN™, SnapScale™,
SnapServer DX Series™, SnapServer Manager™, SnapWrite™, and SnapServer Manager™ are trademarks of Overland Storage, Inc.
All other brand names or trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
The names of companies and individuals used in examples are fictitious and intended to illustrate the use of the software. Any resemblance to
actual companies or individuals, whether past or present, is coincidental.
PROPRIETARY NOTICE
All information contained in or disclosed by this document is considered proprietary by Overland Storage. By accepting this material the recipient
agrees that this material and the information contained therein are held in confidence and in trust and will not be used, reproduced in whole or
in part, nor its contents revealed to others, except to meet the purpose for which it was delivered. It is understood that no right is conveyed to
reproduce or have reproduced any item herein disclosed without express permission from Overland Storage.
Overland Storage provides this manual as is, without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, the implied
warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. Overland Storage may make improvements or changes in the product(s) or
programs described in this manual at any time. These changes will be incorporated in new editions of this publication.
Overland Storage assumes no responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, sufficiency, or usefulness of this manual, nor for any problem that
might arise from the use of the information in this manual.

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Preface
This user guide explains how to install, setup, and use the SnapSAN VSS Provider software.
VSS Provider is software that facilitates business backup operations by linking the Volume Shadow Copy
Service (VSS) of Microsoft® Windows Server® 2003 or Microsoft® Windows Server® 2008 with data
replication (VSS Storage Volume Cloning or VSS Provider Replication and Mirroring) and a snapshot
function (VSS Provider Snapshots).
This guide assumes that you are familiar with computer hardware, data storage, and network
administration terminology and tasks. It also assumes you have basic knowledge of Internet SCSI (iSCSI),
Serial-attached SCSI (SAS), Serial ATA (SATA), Storage Area Network (SAN), and Redundant Array of
Independent Disks (RAID) technology.
This guide is intended for those who have basic knowledge of backup and recovery using Microsoft Windows
Server 2003 or Microsoft Windows Server 2008 and the VSS Provider snapshot function or data replication
function.
This manual explains functions implemented by the following program products:
•VSS Provider Manager and VSS Provider base product
•VSS Provider Control Command
This manual is applicable to the program products of the following versions:
•VSS Provider Manager Ver4.2 or later
•VSS Provider Base Product Ver4.2 or later
•VSS Provider Control Command Ver4.2 or later
The VSS Provider series disk array subsystems is referred to as a disk array in this manual unless clearly
specified.
Product Documentation and Firmware Updates
Overland Storage SnapSAN product documentation and additional literature are available online, along
with the latest release of the SnapSAN VSS software.
Point your browser to:
http://docs.overlandstorage.com/snapsan
Follow the appropriate link to download the latest software file or document. For additional assistance,
search at http://support.overlandstorage.com.

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SnapSAN VSS User Guide
Overland Technical Support
For help configuring and using your SnapSAN VSS, search for help at:
http://support.overlandstorage.com/kb
You can email our technical support staff at [e-mail] or get additional
technical support information on the Contact Us web page:
http://www.overlandstorage.com/company/contact-us/
For a complete list of support times depending on the type of coverage, visit our web site at:
http://support.overlandstorage.com/support/overland_care.html
Conventions
This document exercises several alerts and typographical conventions.
Alerts
Typographical Conventions
Information contained in this guide has been reviewed for accuracy, but not for product warranty
because of the various environments, operating systems, or settings involved. Information and
specifications may change without notice.
Convention Description & Usage
IMPORTANT An Important note is a type of note that provides information essential to
the completion of a task or that can impact the product and its function.
CAUTION A Caution contains information that the user needs to know to avoid
damaging or permanently deleting data or causing physical damage to
the hardware or system.
WARNING A Warning contains information concerning personal safety. Failure to
follow directions in the warning could result in bodily harm or death.
Convention Description & Usage
Button_name Words in this special boldface font indicate command buttons found in
the Web Management Interface.
Ctrl-Alt-r This type of format details the keys you press simultaneously. In this
example, hold down the Ctrl and Alt keys and press the r key.
NOTE A Note indicates neutral or positive information that emphasizes or
supplements important points of the main text. A note supplies
information that may apply only in special cases, for example, memory
limitations or details that apply to specific program versions.
Menu Flow
Indicator (>)
Words with a greater than sign between them indicate the flow of actions
to accomplish a task. For example, Setup > Passwords > User indicates
that you should press the Setup button, then the Passwords button, and
finally the User button to accomplish a task.
Courier Italic A variable for which you must substitute a value
Courier Bold Commands you enter in a command-line interface (CLI)

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Electrostatic Discharge Information
A discharge of static electricity can damage static-sensitive devices. Proper packaging and grounding
techniques are necessary precautions to prevent damage. To prevent electrostatic damage, observe
the following precautions:
•Transport products in static-safe containers such as conductive tubes, bags, or boxes.
•Cover the appliance with approved static-dissipating material.
•Use a wrist strap connected to the work surface and properly-grounded tools and equipment.
•Keep the work area free of non-conductive materials such as foam packing materials.
•Make sure you are always properly grounded when touching a static-sensitive component or
assembly.
•Avoid touching pins, leads, or circuitry.

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Contents
Preface
Chapter 1 - Overview
Overview ............................................................................................................................................................... 1-1
Backup ............................................................................................................................................................. 1-1
Providers ........................................................................................................................................................... 1-2
Software Required .......................................................................................................................................... 1-2
Volume Types .................................................................................................................................................. 1-2
Requestors ....................................................................................................................................................... 1-2
Writers ............................................................................................................................................................... 1-2
Chapter 2 - VSS Provider Installation
Operating Environment ................................................................................................................................. 2-1
VSS Provider Installation and Operation Procedures ................................................................................. 2-2
Chapter 3 - System Configuration
Hardware Configuration ...................................................................................................................................... 3-1
Software Configuration ....................................................................................................................................... 3-2
Hardware Required ........................................................................................................................................ 3-2
Servers/Software ............................................................................................................................................. 3-2
Snapshot or Data Replication ............................................................................................................................. 3-3
Snapshot Installation ....................................................................................................................................... 3-3
Data Replication Installation ......................................................................................................................... 3-3
Volume Types .................................................................................................................................................. 3-3
Initial Setup of Volumes .................................................................................................................................. 3-4
Backup Server Connected to Data Replication Volume (RV) .................................................................. 3-5
Backup and Restore Procedures .................................................................................................................. 3-5
Chapter 4 - Error Management
Actions When Error Occurs .................................................................................................................................. 4-1
When Backup has Errors ................................................................................................................................. 4-1
When VSS must be Restarted ........................................................................................................................ 4-1
When Returning Volume to Initial State ....................................................................................................... 4-1
Backup Server Connected to Snapshot LV ................................................................................................. 4-1
Backup Server Connected to Data Replication RV ................................................................................... 4-2
Collecting Information of Unclear Failure .................................................................................................... 4-3
Chapter 5 - Troubleshooting
About Snapshot or Data Replication ........................................................................................................... 5-1
Event Log Warning Message ......................................................................................................................... 5-1
Event Log Error Message ................................................................................................................................ 5-2

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SnapSAN VSS User Guide
Appendix A - Error Failure Messages
Appendix B - Command Lists
Index

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Chapter 1
Overview
Overview
This chapter provides an overview of the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) and explains
system configuration and other fundamentals.VSS was implemented in Microsoft Windows
Server 2003 and Microsoft Windows Server 2008, as a new function for performing storage
management. The graphic shows a basic VSS Configuration made up of backup software
(requestor), business applications (writers), and software that performs disk array shadow
copy (replication) instructions (VSS provider).
Backup
Backup using VSS is performed by taking a request from the requestor as a trigger. When
VSS receives a backup request from the requestor, it performs coordinating operations with
the writers and provider, and it instructs the provider to create a replication. This series of
operations is performed entirely under the control of VSS. Accordingly, a user can easily
carry out non-interrupting backup without becoming involved with complicated scripts for
each application, just by executing the requestor.
Figure 1-1: VSS Basic Configuration

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Providers
A hardware provider is software exclusively for the in-house manufactured disk arrays
(supplied by the storage vendor), makes it possible to create shadow copies using hardware-
specific replication functions. VSS Provider is a hardware provider.
A software provider is software that a software vendor supplies for creating shadow copies.
The system provider that is supplied by Microsoft Corporation is also a software provider.
Software Required
The following software is needed on each server or disk array:
Application Server
•Job management software (Example: JobCenter)
•Requestor (Example: Protection Manager)
•Exchange Server 2003
•VSS Provider
•Control Command
Backup Server
•Job management software (Example: JobCenter)
•Requestor (Example: Protection Manager)
•Backup software (Example: NetBackup)
•VSS Provider
•Control Command
Management
Server
•SnapSAN Manager
Disk Array
•Snapshots, Volume Cloning, or Replication and Mirroring
•Access Control
Volume Types
VSS Provider handles volumes that are subject to snapshot or replication operations by a
disk array’s logical disk.
Requestors
VSS Provider supports Protection Manager and other software as requestors. For
introductions about each requestor, refer to the product-specific manual.
Writers
VSS Provider supports the following as a writer:
•Microsoft Exchange Server 2003
•Microsoft Exchange Server 2007

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•File system (NTFS)

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Chapter 2
VSS Provider Installation
This chapter provides a description of the basic requirements for installing VSS Provider.
Operating Environment
Item Description
Operating Systems Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2008.
Required Free Disk Capacity At least 24 MB of free disk capacity is needed to perform
the installation tasks for this software.
required Memory Capacity At least 6 MB of memory on the application server and at
least 30 MB of memory on the backup server are needed
in order to use this software.
Cooperation This software cooperates and operates with
ControlCommand
Protection Manager

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VSS Provider Installation and Operation Procedures
This example shows the system installation procedure by taking a tape backup system in
which the D series is used as an example. For the snapshot environment installation
procedure, refer to
the “Snapshot User’s Manual (Installation and Operation Guide for
Windows)”. For the data replication environment installation procedure, refer to the “Data
Replication User's Manual (Installation and Operation Guide for Windows)”. For hardware
configurations and software configurations, refer to the configurations in this manual. For
requestor installation procedures and operating procedures, refer to the manuals of the
selected requestor. Highlighted portions below are procedures to perform by referring to
other manuals
Figure 2-1: Hardware Configuration Flow

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Chapter 3
System Configuration
Hardware Configuration
The configuration example shows: hardware components, performance requirements, and disk
capacity.
Figure 3-1: Hardware Configuration Example
To utilize the snapshot or data replication function more efficiently, separate the application
servers, which process tasks from the backup servers. Accordingly, the tape backup
operation gives no additional load to application servers.
Though the application or backup server may also be used as a management server, using a
specific management server is recommended. Use of LAN connection is strongly
recommended for connection with the disk array.
Connect the path of individual servers, to be connected to the disk array, to the port of
different directors of the disk array, limiting the servers to be accessed by AccessControl.

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Software Configuration
The example shows a software configuration. Select the software to use from the business
equipment and operations mode. The software configuration varies according to the
requestor selected.
Figure 3-2: Software Configuration Example
Hardware Required
To install and use VSS Provider, the following hardware is needed:
Disk Array – This is a disk array in which the snapshot function (Snapshots) or data
replication function (Volume Cloning or Replication and Mirroring) is loaded.
Application Server – This performs snapshot or data replication operations.
Backup Server – This is arranged to perform backup of data from a replication to tape or
other media.
Magnetic Tape Unit – This is used if tape backup is needed. Use a tape unit that is
supported by the backup software.
Management Server – This performs a disk array management. It can also serve as the
backup server or application server.
Servers/Software
Install the software into the following servers:

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Application Serv er
•JobCenter
•Protection Manager
•Protection Manager for Exchange
•Exchange Server 2003
•VSS Provider
•ControlCommand
Backup Server
•JobCenter
•Protection Manager
•NetBackup
•VSS Provider
•ControlCommand
Management Server
•SnapSAN Manager
Disk Array
•Snapshots, Volume Cloning, or Replication and Mirroring
•AccessControl
Snapshot or Data Replication
Snapshot Installation
Refer to the “Snapshot User’s Manual (Installation and Operation Guide for Windows)” for
system configuration determination and subsequent installation procedures and concerns
when performing operations. Perform through “Installation Procedure” there to prepare for
backup operations in which the snapshot function is used.
Data Replication Installation
Refer to the “Data Replication User's Manual (Installation and Operation Guide for
Windows)” for system configuration determination and subsequent installation procedures
and concerns when performing operations. Perform through “Installation Procedure” there
to prepare for backup operations in which the data replication function is used.
Requestor Installation
For concerns when installing a requestor, refer to the manuals of the selected requestor.
Volume Types
VSS Provider handles volumes that are subject to snapshot or replication operations by a
disk array’s logical disk. When there are multiple partitions or logical volumes on one logical
disk, depending on the operation, it may not be possible to guarantee data consistency if a

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replication operation is executed for a volume made up of multiple partitions or logical
volumes or for a dynamic disk volume. The table below shows the function range for each
disk.
√: Recommended configuration -: Operation inhibited
Initial Setup of Volumes
Backup Server Connected to Snapshot Logical Volume (
LV )
When performing backup operations in which the snapshot function is used, the initial
setup below is necessary. Execute identical operations for target volumes used in backup
operations. The
volume s tates , which are the states in which “Installation Procedure” in the
“Snapshot User’s Manual (Installation and Operation Guide for Windows) ended, are
assumed to be “active” for the SV state and “unlink” for the LV link state.
1. Start a command prompt on the backup server.
2. Confirm that volumes used in backup operations have been registered in the volume
list created in (Installation and Operation Guide for Windows)” and re-create the
volume list.
> iSMvollist -a
3. In order to change the LV access restriction to Not Available (NA), stop the volume
beforehand.
Here, the setting is made for logical disk name lv001.
> iSMvss -devmode disable -vol lv001 -volflg ld
4. Change the LV access restriction to Not Available (NA). Here, settings are made for
logical disk names lv001 and sv001.
> iSMsc_link -lv lv001 -lvflg ld -sv sv001 -svflg ld -lvacc na
> iSMsc_unlink -lv lv001 -lvflg ld
The above is the end of environment setup for operation using the snapshot function.
Table 3-1: Available Volume Type
Disk Type Volume Type Availability
Basic disk Primary partition (MBR format) √
Primary partition (GPT format) √
Logical volume on expanded partition -
Dynamic disk Simple volume -
Spanned volume -
Striped volume -
Mirror volume -
RAID5 volume -

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Backup Server Connected to Data Replication Volume (RV)
When performing backup operations in which the data replication function is used, the
initial setup below is necessary. Execute identical operations for target volumes used in
backup operations.
1. Start a command prompt on the backup server.
2. Confirm that volumes used in backup operations have been registered in the volume
list created in “Data Replication Installation”.
a. If they are not registered, refer to the “Data Replication User’s Manual
(Installation and Operation Guide for Windows)” and re-create the volume list.
> iSMvollist -a
b. If the RV is replicate state, execute Separate to separate the Master Volume (MV)
and RV and make the RV available. Here, execute using the settings below. If the
RV is separated, the command below need not be executed.
•Access restriction for RV after separated: rw (Read/Write) (Default value)
•Specify wait for separation to complete
> iSMrc_separate -mv mv001 -mvflg ld – rv rv001 – rvflg ld -wait
3. In order to change the RV access restriction to Not Available (NA), stop the volume
beforehand. Here, the setting is made for logical disk name rv001.
> iSMvss -devmode disable -vol rv001 -volflg ld
4. Change the RV data state to invalid and the RV access restriction to Not Available
(NA). Here, the setting is made for logical disk name rv001.
> iSMrc_rvmode -rv rv001 -rvflg ld -rvdata invalid -rvacc na -force
The above is the end of environment setup for operation using the data replication function.
Backup and Restore Procedures
For backup and restore operations, refer to the manuals of the selected requestor.

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Chapter 4
Error Management
Actions When Error Occurs
This chapter explains how to address errors that occur during backup when VSS Provider is
used.
When Backup has Errors
When an error has occurred during backup, investigate the cause of the error using the
procedure below and re-execute the backup after eliminating the cause of the error.
1. Verify if the error was output in the application’s event log.
2. If you were able to confirm the error number and error message, check Appendix A
“Error Messages at Time of Failure”.
3. Refer to the explanation in (Measure) and eliminate the cause of the error.
If there are unformatted partitions, a warning may be output to the (application) event log
when executing VSS backup. This does not affect backup processing. For details, refer to
“Event Log Warning Message.
When VSS must be Restarted
When the VSS must be restarted, follow the instructions:
1. From the Windows (Start) button, select (Administrative Tools) > (Services).
2. Select (VSS Provider) and restart it.
3. Confirm that the service was started.
When Returning Volume to Initial State
Sometimes, an LV or RV for performing VSS backup enters a state in which backup is not
possible because of an error during backup. To initialize the state of the LV or RV to a state
in which re-execution is possible, different operations are needed for operation in which the
snapshot function is used and operation in which the data replication function is used.
Execute the operations for LV or RV for which backup failed.
If Protection Manager is selected as a requester, troubleshoot by referring to the “CLI
Command Reference Guide”.
Backup Server Connected to Snapshot LV
This section describes the procedure that returns a volume to its initial state when an error
occurred during operation using the snapshot function. Execute the procedure below for all
volumes subject to backup.
1. Start a command prompt on the backup server.

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2. Check the LV state. Here, the state of logical disk name lv001 is checked.
> iSMsc_linkinfo -vol lv001 -volflg ld
Sample output:
Specified Volume Information
LV:LD Name: lv001
Type : WN
Volume Name: \\?\Volume{91eaf2a9-4e8a-11d9-861c-505054503030}\
Path : -
State:
link
Mode : rw
3. If “State” for the LV is “link”, the connection to the SV must be unlinked. Here,
settings are made for logical disk name lv001. If “State” for the LV is “unlink” the
command below is not necessary.
> iSMsc_unlink -lv lv001 -lvflg ld
4. If “Mode” of the LV checked in (2) is other than “NA”, stop the volume beforehand in
order to change the LV access restriction to Not Available (NA). Here, the setting is
made for logical disk name lv001.
> iSMvss -devmode disable -vol lv001 -volflg ld
If the target volume is already stopped, the message below is output. Proceed to
execute the procedure in (5).
iSMvss: Err:iSM20519: Specified disk cannot be disabled.
5. Change the LV access restriction to Not Available (NA). Here, settings are made for
logical disk names lv001 and sv001.
> iSMsc_link -lv lv001 -lvflg ld -sv sv001 -svflg ld -lvacc na
> iSMsc_unlink -lv lv001 -lvflg ld
6. Cancel the “SV guard classification” of the SV. Here, the SV guard classification of
snapshot volume sv001 of logical disk name bv001 is canceled.
> iSMsc_svguard -bv bv001 -bvflg ld -sv sv001 -svflg ld -mode cancel
a. If the target volume is already canceled, the message below is output.
iSMsc_svguard:Info: iSM19127: Request has already completed.
The above is the end of the volume initialization procedure for operation using the snapshot
function.
Backup Server Connected to Data Replication RV
This section describes the procedure that returns a volume to its initial state when an error
occurred during operation using the data replication function. Execute the procedure below
for all volumes subject to backup.
Start a command prompt on the backup server.
1. Check the RV state. Here, the state of logical disk name rv001 is checked.
> iSMrc_query -rv rv001 -rvflg ld

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Sample output:
MV: Disk No.-
LD Namemv001
Type WN Volume Name- Path-
RV: Disk No.2
LD Namerv001
Type WN
Volume Name\\?\Volume{91eaf297-4e8a-11d9-861c-505054503030}\ Path-
Activity Stateseparate Sync State
separated Copy Control State-
Separate Start Time2004/12/24 14:24:53
Separate End Time2004/12/24 14:24:53
Separate Diff32KB Copy Diff
0KB RV Accessrw
Previous Activesep/exec
2. If “Activity State” of the RV is “replicate”, it is necessary to separate the RV from the
MV. This is executed here using the settings below. If “Activity State” of the RV is
“separate”, the command below need not be executed.
•Access restriction for RV after separated: rw (Read/Write) (Default value)
•Specify wait for separation to complete
> iSMrc_separate -mv mv001 -mvflg ld –rv rv001 –rvflg ld -wait
3. If “RV Access” of the RV checked in (2) is other than “NA”, stop the volume beforehand
in order to change the RV access restriction to Not Available (NA). Here, the setting is
made for logical disk name rv001.
> iSMvss -devmode disable -vol rv001 -volflg ld
If the target volume is already stopped, the message below is output. Proceed to execute
the procedure in (5).
iSMvss: Err:iSM20519: Specified disk cannot be disabled.
4. Change the RV data state to invalid and the RV access restriction to Not Available
(NA). Here, settings are made for logical disk name rv001.
> iSMrc_rvmode -rv rv001 -rvflg ld -rvdata invalid -rvacc na -force
The above is the end of the volume initialization procedure for operation using the data
replication function.
Collecting Information of Unclear Failure
Even when performing the procedures above, if an error occurs during backup, execute the
commands in the procedure below to gather an operation trace and other fault information.
Login as Administrator.
1. Click the Windows [Start] button, and select and execute [All Programs] →
[ControlCommand] →[SnapSAN Manager Volume List] →[Difficulty Information
Gather]. When changing the directory of the storage destination and executing,
specify a directory on the appropriate server and do not specify a directory on a
separate server connected by a network.
2. Confirm that the iSMvolgather directory is created under the installation directory
when the storage destination directory is not changed or under the specified directory
when it is changed, and obtain the files under that directory.