The instant clone operation duplicates a source database by creating read-write clones from snapshots taken during a snapshot backup job. This operation leverages the cloning capability of the storage array hardware. By using the instant clone operation, you can duplicate large databases in less time.
With Hitachi Vantara, instant clones can be created out of Thin Image (TI) snapshots in cascade mode or ShadowImage (SI) snapshots.
For TI, when cascade mode is on, the secondary volume (S-VOL) devices needed for the snapshot backup are created in a specific pool.
Instant clone snapshots have their own name convention.
Dynamic tiering (DT) pools are not supported to create the S-VOLs.
Engines
You can create instant clones with Hitachi Thin Image (CCI) and with Hitachi Shadow Image (CCI) engines. Instant clone is not supported for Hitachi Targetless Snap (CCI).
Related Topics
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To verify which IntelliSnap agents you can use the instant clone feature, see Application Clone.
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To configure your environement for instant clone snapshots, see Preparing the Environment for the Instant Clone Feature with Thin Image Snapshots.
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To learn about the naming convention for instant clone, see Naming Conventions for Snapshots Created by the HDS Array.