Auto-Snapshot Manager - Restore Selected Databases Grayed Out

Question

Hi,

I was wondering if anyone encountered this problem and what their resolution is. I have created a Smart Snapshot on my backup server (to test this out) and I am trying to do a "in-place restore" (where I can apply additional differential/transaction logs restores), but the option to Restore Selected Databases is grayed out. It says "Restore selected databases (Disabled: Inadequate free space to create clones for restore)".

When I click on the database in Auto-Snapshot Manager (Applications -> SqlServerWriter -> TestDB), there is a Free Pool Space Warning that says:

"Volume 'E:\ (SAN-A)' cannot be cloned due to insufficient Free Space on PS Series Group 'SAN' [2.97 TB required / 2.06 TB available]'."

My questions are:

I thought that since I am using Smart Snapshots, that warning message does not apply to me?
If I do need the additional 2.97 TB to restore a single database, will it use all 2.97 TB thus forcing me to purchase additional SAN arrays?
If I am copying a large full backup file over the WAN, will using Smart Snapshots and SAN Replication help minimize the bandwidth used (in which case, I would mount the Smart Snapshot to the backup SAN and extract the full backup file to the "live" logical drive)?

Thank you for your help!

Joe S586 · Accepted Answer

1. You need Pool Free Space equal to the volume size to accomplish this type of restore with ASM/ME. Check your volume reserve, this is the amount of space allocated to the volume from free pool space, without thin provisioning volume reserve is the same as reported size.

2. The restore will require the size of the base volume and the snapshot. This is the full size of the volume you are restoring.

3. The group manager will display the volume space used is a “High water” mark, and not an indication of the exact data usage as displayed in the OS. We have a solution that discusses this in greater detail on the support site. Go to this link: http://bit.ly/EQL-Login (support login required), and then search the Knowledge Base for: “GUI space usage differs from what the OS shows” (to get to the KB, go to Resources> KnowledgeBase)

You may also want to review the KB titled: “Member Free Space Values are Different than Group and Pool Free Space”

If you feel you have enough free pool space and still can't restore the selected database, I would suggest that you open a support case so that they can look at the specifics of your environment.

Regards,

Joe

Joe S586 · Answer

dajonx,

1. When you create the smart copy, the copy is going to be exactly the same size as the original volume.

2. Not necessary, if you can free up space in the group (remove old volumes, snapshots, clones, etc.) so that you increase the amount of free space in the group, then you can perform your smart copy.

3. That all depends. Replication is no faster than any other type of file copy procedure. I would suggest that you test the replication first using a smaller “test” SQL volume to see what performance you get

Regards,

Joe

dajonx · Answer

Thank you Joe.

1. Can you please tell me why the Restore Selected Databases is grayed out when trying to do a restore?

2. So if my Volumes are 7 TB, the Smart Copy will be 7 TB? So far, it is much less than the original volumes' size (I have two Smart Snapshots so far).

3. Unfortunately in order for me to free up space via "clean-up", I will need to create new volumes and move the files there since the SAN Group Manager says that I have used (example) 500 GB of a 700 GB volume when in fact I am only using 200 GB currently.

4. Yes, I am planning on testing SAN Replication as soon as I can figure out how to use it.

dajonx · Answer

Can anyone please help me?

EqualLogic

Auto-Snapshot Manager - Restore Selected Databases Grayed Out

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