Using VSS

The Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) enables application-consistent snapshots on volumes used by Microsoft Windows machines. To use the VSS feature with the StorONE system, you must install the S1 VSS module on all Windows machines that use StorONE volumes.

The following procedure describes how to enable VSS snapshots. 

The sameStorONE configurationVSS ismodule requiredcurrently forsupports bothBlock block(iSCSI or file-FC (Fibre Channel)) based volumes.volumes directly mapped to a Windows host (VM or physical) or Block or File (NFS) based volumes configured as datastores to a Virtual Machine.

Installing the VSS plugin on a Microsoft Windows machine

Download the latest VSS installer .MSI file from the StorONE landing page. In a browser, go to the DNS name or IP address of either of the StorONE controller nodes.

Click VSS Installer to download the MSI installer. Run the installation on all Windows machines (physical or virtual) that use the StorONE volume that you want to enable VSS snapshots on.

After the installation finishes, two services are added to the Windows machine: S1VssHardwareProvider and S1VssService:

The S1VssHadwareProvider service runs when snapshots are initiated.

When a snapshot is initiated on the StorONE system, either manually or by schedule, the appliance contacts the VSS provider on the Windows machines on port 18222. In order for VSS snapshots to work properly, make sure that this port is open for requests from the management IP on both StorONE controller nodes.

Appliance configuration

In the StorONE graphical user interface (GUI), there are two steps required to enable VSS snapshots:

Step 1: Enable VSS for the required volume

Step 2: Configure a Snapshot

Step 1: Enable VSS for the required volume

In the GUI go to Applications 🡪 Snapshots, and click the VSS button:

Enter the application and volume that the Windows machine is using, and add the IP addresses of all Windows machines using the volume.

IfIn the volumecase isof aan blockiSCSI storageor volumeFC direct-Volume directly mapped to the Windows machines,Host checkensure that the Direct Mapping box. Thischeckbox is typicallychecked. only used

When a volume for use in a Windows Host is based on a Virtual Disk presented by physical machines or VMs that map the volume within the guest operating system. If the Windows machines are virtual machines (VMs) that do not directly map the volume, or if the volume is a filesystem-based volume,Hypervisor do not 
check the Direct Mapping check this box.checkbox.

Step 2: Configure snapshots

On the Applications 🡪 Snapshots page, you can manually take a one-time snapshot by clicking the Take button, or by clicking Schedule to schedule recurring snapshots. In both cases, check the Enable Vss box.

When the snapshot is initiated, the appliance will access the Windows machine and use the VSS mechanism.

Using the CLI

To take a VSS snapshot using the CLI, use the --vss argument: