Configuring VSS for IntelliSnap Backup on Windows

Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) is an infrastructure on Windows server platforms that enables applications to create shadow copies. A shadow copy is a consistent snapshot of the data held on a volume or component at a well-defined point in time. It provides a Windows-specific interface that enables coordination between requestors that back up data, writers that update data on disk, and providers that manage storage. In our case, Oracle iDataAgent works as a requestor, Oracle VSS Writer works as a writer and VSS Provider works as a provider. Oracle iDataAgent supports hardware providers.

Before You Begin

• You need to install the VSS Software Provider along with Oracle Data Agent to perform IntelliSnap backups.

• To perform VSS IntelliSnap backup for Oracle 10g, you have to install the Oracle VSS Writer. (metalink id 580558.1)

• The snapshot Control and SP file locations should be snap-able.

• Volume level Snaps are supported.

• Database volumes must be on one of the supported storage arrays.

Procedure

1. From the CommCell Browser, navigate to Client Computers > client > Oracle > instance.

2. Right-click the subclient, and then click Properties.

   The Subclient Properties dialog box appears.

3. On the IntelliSnap Operations tab, make the following selections:

   1. From the Available Snap Engines list, select the storage array.

   2. Select the Use Oracle VSS Writer check box.

4. Click OK to close the Subclient Properties dialog box.