SAN/iQ® software creates a point-in-time snapshot of a designated volume, helping simplify both large-scale restores and granular restores such as a single Microsoft Exchange mailbox.
Unlike most SAN applications, which reserve large blocks of disk space for potential snapshots, LeftHand's snapshot feature doesn't require a dedicated storage pool. SAN/iQ snapshots are space efficient, copying pointers rather than blocks. This helps you make better use of your disk space and buy only the storage that you really need to use. Plus, SAN/iQ Snap doesn't limit the number of snapshots that can be taken or preserved.
- Point-in-time snapshots can be created manually, scheduled on a periodic basis, or scripted.
- Space-efficient snapshots make it easy to create temporary environments for testing new software, patches, or configurations before applying them to your production systems.
- Use snapshots for instant backup and recovery.
- Make scheduled snapshots, enabling you to roll back your entire environment to a single point in time.
For users with Microsoft Windows environments, LeftHand offers a Solution Pack for Microsoft Windows that includes the Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) Provider in conjunction with SAN/iQ Snap. The Provider works with applications and backup software that support Microsoft's VSS framework.