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4 TR1081 | Microsoft SQL Server Database Protection Using EqualLogic Auto-Snapshot Manager / Microsoft Edition
2 Auto-Snapshot Manager /Microsoft Edition
2.1 Volume Shadow Copy Service
Auto-Snapshot Manager/Microsoft Edition utilizes Microsoft’s Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS)
architecture to provide application integration with SAN copy operations, Figure 1. During the VSS
operation flow, Auto-Snapshot Manager initiates the process by requesting the SQL Server VSS Writer to
prepare a database for a Smart Copy operation. The SQL Server VSS Writer component places the
database in a consistent state and the PS Series VSS Provider service initiates the SAN copy using PS Series
hardware snapshots, clones, or replication functions. The end result is a data-consistent point-in-time
“Smart Copy” of the SQL Server database and volumes. Smart Copies can then be used to fully restore a
database or simply recover object level data using various recovery options available to the Smart Copy
set.
Figure 1 Volume Shadow Copy Service – ASM/ME Integration