Comparison of snapshot features
Table: Comparison of snapshot features for supported snapshot types compares the features of the various types of snapshots that are supported in VxVM.
Table: Comparison of snapshot features for supported snapshot types
Snapshot feature
|
Full-sized instant (vxsnap) |
Space-optimized instant (vxsnap) |
Break-off (vxassist or vxsnap) |
Immediately available for use on creation
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
Requires less storage space than original volume
|
No
|
Yes
|
No
|
Can be reattached to original volume
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
Can be used to restore contents of original volume
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Can quickly be refreshed without being reattached
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
Snapshot hierarchy can be split
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
Can be moved into separate disk group from original volume
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
Can be turned into an independent volume
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
FastResync ability persists across system reboots or cluster restarts
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Synchronization can be controlled
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
Can be moved off-host
|
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Full-sized instant snapshots are easier to configure and offer more flexibility of use than do traditional third-mirror break-off snapshots. For preference, new volumes should be configured to use snapshots that have been created using the vxsnap command rather than using the vxassist command. Legacy volumes can also be reconfigured to use vxsnap snapshots, but this requires rewriting of administration scripts that assume the vxassist snapshot model.