Volume Snapshot Service is the technique that provides taking hand-run (or automatic which delivers even more tricks; automatic rules!) shadows of files at a moment in time when the backup initiates. The 'shadow' idea seems pretty cool, but it is not nice-sounding words which makes VSS worth discussion. The most important advantage about the solution is the fact: it saves blocked folders. To be capable to develop and store shadow copies, Volume Snapshot Service awaits for the file system to be NT.
Thus, with the Volume Snapshot Service functionality aboard, you have a chance to make robust backups of a volume as the content is not modified and no problems with files being blocked appear.
The files storing process may be organized two basic ways. The first one is to hand over VSS functionality to the operating system. The second option is to use the thing as a Windows service.
But let's drop the dull formalization and come to imagine a piece of fun practice. So, again, what do these nice Volume Shadow Copy Service features especially mean for data backup software solutions?
Practically, the advanced Volume Snapshot Service function offers the joy of hot backup for files with mixed configuration to be safe and effective. For illustration, while backing up databases, this service accurately processes all temporary actions regarding those databases and makes a snapshot of data, the working database version. So, here is bonjour to on-the-fly backup copies of SQL Server (and say bye-bye to blocking the service in order to continue with the saving process).
Take MS Exchange Server. The VSS thing in backup software will do a smart job here too. For instance, it will back up existent databases instead of coping the whole volume they are hold to (a common MS practice, sadly).
And when it comes to hard disk drive imaging, the strong force of Volume Shadow Copy Service for hot backup runs on providing wonderful features, like the total OS copying without logging off Windows OS, synchronizing of two hard disk images, and as a consequence convenient computer cloning.
So, if you still haven't evaluated backup solutions with Volume Shadow Service aboard, isn't now sounds like an ideal day to have one?
Thus, with the Volume Snapshot Service functionality aboard, you have a chance to make robust backups of a volume as the content is not modified and no problems with files being blocked appear.
The files storing process may be organized two basic ways. The first one is to hand over VSS functionality to the operating system. The second option is to use the thing as a Windows service.
But let's drop the dull formalization and come to imagine a piece of fun practice. So, again, what do these nice Volume Shadow Copy Service features especially mean for data backup software solutions?
Practically, the advanced Volume Snapshot Service function offers the joy of hot backup for files with mixed configuration to be safe and effective. For illustration, while backing up databases, this service accurately processes all temporary actions regarding those databases and makes a snapshot of data, the working database version. So, here is bonjour to on-the-fly backup copies of SQL Server (and say bye-bye to blocking the service in order to continue with the saving process).
Take MS Exchange Server. The VSS thing in backup software will do a smart job here too. For instance, it will back up existent databases instead of coping the whole volume they are hold to (a common MS practice, sadly).
And when it comes to hard disk drive imaging, the strong force of Volume Shadow Copy Service for hot backup runs on providing wonderful features, like the total OS copying without logging off Windows OS, synchronizing of two hard disk images, and as a consequence convenient computer cloning.
So, if you still haven't evaluated backup solutions with Volume Shadow Service aboard, isn't now sounds like an ideal day to have one?