VSS instant restore processing

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A VSS instant restore operation restores data by using a hardware-assisted restore method. A FlashCopy® operation is an example of a hardware-assisted restore method.

You can run a VSS instant restore operation only when all of the data from the database your want to restore is on storage systems that are supported by the VSS instant restore. If part of the data that is being restored, including the log files and full-text index files, is on a local disk, a VSS fast restore operation is completed.

The data that is to be restored must be on a storage system that is valid for VSS instant restore operations. If data is not on an XIV®, SAN Volume Controller, or Storwize® family systems with space-efficient target volumes, you must ensure that background copies that use the volumes are restored.

Restriction: SQL Server VSS backups can be restored only to the same SQL Server instance from which they are backed up.
When you plan to perform VSS instant restore, consider the following guidelines:
  • IBM® System Storage® DS8000® series requires IBM System Storage Support for Microsoft™ Volume Shadow Copy Service software.
  • SAN Volume Controller requires IBM System Storage Support for Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service software.
  • Storwize family requires IBM System Storage Support for Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service software.
  • XIV has separate VSS Provider software.
  • Backups can be restored only to the same storage system from which they are backed up.

For instant restore operations, use the devices that are listed here: Storage Architecture Support for Tivoli® Storage FlashCopy Manager and IBM Storage Protect™ Snapshot .