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Amazon FSx for NetApp ONTAP

Create a snapshot policy for storage VMs in BlueXP workload factory

Contributors netapp-rlithman

Create a custom snapshot policy for storage VMs in BlueXP workload factory. A snapshot policy defines how the system creates snapshots for a storage VM. You can create a snapshot policy for a storage VM in an FSx for ONTAP file system. You can also share the policy across multiple storage VMs.

About this task

You can create a custom snapshot policy that differs from the three built-in snapshot policies for FSx for ONTAP:

  • default

  • default-1weekly

  • none

By default, every volume is associated with the file system's default snapshot policy. We recommend using this policy for most workloads.

Customizing a policy lets you specify when to create snapshots, how many copies to retain, and how to name them.

Before you begin

  • Once a snapshot policy is created, its association with the storage VM(s) cannot be modified, but you can always add or remove the policy from volumes.

  • Consider the following about snapshot capacity before you use snapshots:

    • For most datasets, an additional capacity of 20% is enough to keep snapshots for up to four weeks. As data gets older, its use for restorations becomes less likely.

    • Overwriting all the data in a snapshot consumes significant volume capacity, which factors into provisioning volume capacity.

  • To create a custom snapshot policy, you must associate a link. If you don't have an existing link, create a link. To associate a link in the file system, select Associate link under Account name. Once the link associates, return to this operation.

Steps

  1. Log in using one of the console experiences.

  2. In Storage, select Go to storage inventory.

  3. In the FSx for ONTAP tab, select the three-dot menu of the file system with the volume and then select Manage.

  4. In the file system overview, select the Storage VMs tab.

  5. From the Storage VMs tab, select the three-dot menu for the volume to protect with scheduled snapshots, then Advanced actions, and then Manage snapshot policies.

  6. On the Snapshot policy management page, select Create snapshot policy.

  7. In the Snapshot policy name field, enter a name for the snapshot policy.

  8. Optionally, enter a description for the snapshot policy.

  9. Under Policy schedule and copies, select when to create snapshots. For example, every minute or hourly.

    You can select more than one frequency.

  10. Under Number of copies, enter the number of copies to retain.

    The maximum number of copies is 1,023.

  11. Optional: Under Naming convention, enter a Prefix for the policy.

  12. Retention label is automatically populated.

    This label refers to the SnapMirror, or replication label that is used to select only specified snapshots for replication from the source to the target file system.

  13. Optional: Enable Immutable snapshots for any schedules you need, set the Retention period for each schedule, and accept the statement to continue.

    Enabling immutable snapshots locks all snapshots in this snapshot policy to prevent the snapshots from being deleted during the retention period.

  14. Share across storage VMs: Enabled by default. When enabled, the snapshot policy is shared across all storage VMs in the file system. Disable to create a snapshot policy for a single storage VM.

  15. Select Create.

Result

The snapshot policy is created.