Guidelines for Creating Snapshot Schedules, 147

Friday, at a time between the end of the work day and 11PM. Do not select an end date. Apply the same schedule to the second virtual disk, then map the two snapshot virtual disks to your backup host server and perform your regular backup procedures. Remember to unmap the two resulting snapshot virtual disks before the next scheduled snapshot begins. If the snapshot virtual disks are not unmapped, the storage array does not perform the next scheduled snapshot operation in order to avoid data corruption.

Scheduled snapshots are also valuable in the event of a data loss. For example, if you back up your data at the end of every work day and keep hourly snapshots from 8AM to 5PM, data can be recovered from the snapshots in windows smaller than one hour. To accomplish this type of rapid recovery, create a schedule that contains a start time of 8AM and an end time of 5PM, then select 10 snapshots per day on Monday through Friday with no end date.

For more information on creating snapshot virtual disk schedules, see the following sections on creating snapshots.

Guidelines for Creating Snapshot Schedules

Certain guidelines apply when creating snapshot virtual disk schedules:

•Scheduled virtual disk snapshot operations do not occur if:

–The snapshot virtual disk is mapped

–The storage array is offline or powered off

–The snapshot virtual disk is in use as a source virtual disk during a Virtual Disk Copy operation

–A copy operation is Pending or In progress

•Deleting a snapshot virtual disk that contains a schedule also deletes the schedule

•Snapshot schedules are stored in the configuration database on the storage array. The Management Station does not need to be running for scheduled snapshot operations to occur.

•Snapshot schedules can be created when the snapshot virtual disk is initially created or can be added to existing snapshot virtual disks.

Configuration: Premium Feature—Snapshot Virtual Disks

147 MD3620F, MD3600f specifications

Dell's MD3620F and MD3600F storage arrays are designed for businesses seeking dependable, high-performance storage solutions tailored to meet the demands of modern data management. These models offer a blend of scalability, efficiency, and advanced features, making them well-suited for a range of applications, from virtual environments to critical database operations.

One of the primary features of the MD3620F and MD3600F is their support for a hybrid storage architecture. This approach allows organizations to combine flash storage with traditional hard disk drives (HDDs) to optimize performance and cost. The MD3620F focuses heavily on all-flash configurations, delivering exceptional speed and lower latency, ideal for I/O-intensive workloads.

Scalability is another hallmark of these storage solutions. The MD3600F allows users to scale up to 120 drives, providing robust capacity to meet growing data needs. The MD3620F is engineered for environments where data availability and speed are paramount, with support for high IOPS (Input/Output Operations Per Second) and consistent performance under stress.

In terms of data management, both systems integrate with Dell’s proprietary software, which enhances operational efficiency through features like automated tiering. This technology optimizes data placement between different storage types based on access frequency, ensuring that hot data is readily available while reducing costs associated with less critical data.

Reliability is crucial for businesses that depend on their storage systems. The MD3620F and MD3600F come equipped with advanced data protection mechanisms, such as RAID support, which safeguards against data loss, and snapshot capabilities that provide point-in-time copies of data. Moreover, these solutions include hot-swappable components, ensuring minimal downtime for maintenance and repairs.

Connectivity is also a strong suit of these storage arrays. They support multiple connectivity options, including SAS and iSCSI, allowing for flexible integration into existing IT infrastructures. This adaptability enhances their appeal to a wide range of enterprise environments.

In summary, the Dell MD3620F and MD3600F stand out as robust storage solutions with a combination of hybrid and all-flash configurations, scalability, advanced data management tools, and enhanced reliability features. These characteristics make them ideal for organizations looking to enhance their data storage capabilities while maintaining high performance and efficiency.