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8 PS Series Template Volumes and Thin Clones: How and When to Use Them | TR1063
Figure 1 shows the process flow to create database thin clones using the PS Series Auto-Snapshot
Manager/Microsoft Edition (ASM/ME) and the PS Series Group Manager.
Thin clone database process flow
First, prepare the database copy for template volumes. The following steps accomplish database distribution
using template databases:
1. Create a clone type smart copy of the SQL database being used.
2. Restore the clone smart copy using the Restore All as New method.
3. Check the box, Make database READ-ONLY after attach.
The database should show up as a read-only copy of the database in SQL Server Management Studio, as
shown in Figure 2.
Read-only database in management studio
Create DB clone
using ASM/ME
Restore DB
clone as new
using ASM/ME
Locate name of
clone volumes in
Group Manager
Convert to
template using
Group Manager
Verify iSCSI
initiator login on
host
Refresh services
on SQL instance
Create DB
copies using thin
clones using
ASM/ME