MD3000i Snapshot Virtual disk Failed

Question

Hi

Our SAN has a flashing redlight and the recovery guru reports that the "Snapshot Virtual disk Failed". Although the guru gives a series of steps to follow, I'm concerned that I'm going to make things worse.

I think that the Snapshot has failed because the virtual disk is full. Can I simply delete this snapshot as its something we don't use.

Many Thanks

Bob

JOHNADCO · Answer

Your snapshot has most likely run out of repository room. You can only leave them active for so long without eithe disabling them / re-creating them, or increasing the repostory space as needed,

Modify tab, modify snapshot virtual disk, disable snapshot virtual disk, then disable the snapshot that has failed.

You can then turn right around and recreate the snapshot.

I hope this helps some?

dining_philosop · Answer

You can safely delete a snapshot that you are not using without having any effect on your source volume.

rickjamesbeoch · Answer

I would highly recommend that anyone that has an issue that they don’t understand to download the 3000i “Documentation CD”

Version: Build 26, A00 - File Format: ISO Image - File Size: 301 MB

I provide support for this product on a daily basis and it is the most helpful manual in regards to managing you ISCSI SAN

The following was taken directly from that document –

Re-creating Snapshot Virtual Disks

Before re-creating a snapshot virtual disk, refer to the following guidelines.

Disabling a Snapshot Virtual Disk

Disable a snapshot virtual disk if one of the following conditions exists:

You do not need the snapshot now.
You intend to re-create the snapshot at a later time and want to retain the associated snapshot repository virtual disk so that you do not need to create it again.
You want to maximize storage array performance by stopping copy-on-write activity to the snapshot repository virtual disk.

The SMdevices utility displays the snapshot virtual disk in its output, even after the snapshot virtual disk is disabled.

To disable a snapshot virtual disk:

1. Click the Modify tab, then click Modify snapshot virtual disks.

2. Click Disable Snapshot Virtual Disks.

3. Highlight the snapshot virtual disk to be disabled and click Disable beneath the list.

4. In the Confirm Disable Snapshot Virtual Disk dialog box, type yes and then click OK.

The snapshot virtual disk is disabled. The associated snapshot repository virtual disk does not change status, but copy-on-write activity to the disabled snapshot virtual disk stops until the snapshot virtual disk is re-created.

Preparing Host Servers to Re-create a Snapshot Virtual Disk

NOTICE: Before you create a new point-in-time image of a source virtual disk, stop any data access (I/O) activity or suspend data transfer to the source virtual disk and snapshot virtual disk to ensure that you capture an accurate point-in-time image of the source virtual disk. Close all applications, including Windows Internet Explorer, to make sure all I/O activity has stopped.

NOTE: Removing the drive letter of the associated virtual disk in Windows or unmounting the virtual drive in Linux will help to guarantee a stable copy of the drive for the Snapshot.

Before re-creating a snapshot virtual disk, both the host server and the associated virtual disk you are re-creating have to be in the proper state. Perform the following steps to prepare your host server and virtual disk:

1. Stop all I/O activity to the source and snapshot virtual disk (if mounted).

2. Using your Windows system, flush the cache to both the source and the snapshot virtual disk (if mounted). At the host prompt, type

SMrepassist -f <filename-identifier>

and press . See SMrepassist Utility for more information.

3. Click the Summary tab, then click Disk Groups & Virtual Disks to ensure that the snapshot virtual disk is in Optimal or Disabled status.

4. Remove the drive letter(s) of the source and (if mounted) snapshot virtual disk in Windows or unmount the virtual drive(s) in Linux to help guarantee a stable copy of the drive for the Snapshot. If this is not done, the snapshot operation will report that it has completed successfully, but the snapshot data will not be updated properly.

5. Follow any additional instructions for your operating system. Failure to follow these additional instructions can create unusable snapshot virtual disks.

NOTE: If your operating system requires additional instructions, you can find those instructions in your operating system documentation.

Re-creating a Snapshot Virtual Disk

After first preparing the host server(s) as specified in the preceding procedure, re-create a snapshot virtual disk using the following steps.

NOTICE: This action invalidates the current snapshot.

1. Click the Modify tab, then click Modify snapshot virtual disks.

2. Click Re-create Snapshot Virtual Disks.

3. Highlight the snapshot virtual disk to re-create and click Re-Create beneath the list.

4. In the Confirm Snapshot Virtual Disk Re-Creation dialog box, type yes and then click OK.

Re-creating a snapshot repository virtual disk uses the previously configured snapshot name and parameters.

PowerVault

MD3000i Snapshot Virtual disk Failed

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