Data restore overview

Edit online

IBM Storage Protect Snapshot can use the Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) framework to complete fast and instant restores of database backups. You also restore VSS backups to an alternate database and complete Exchange mailbox restore operations. For SQL Server, you can run legacy restore operations from the IBM Storage Protect server.

In a VSS restore operation, you can restore one or more databases from a VSS backup on IBM Storage Protect server storage to the original location on the Exchange or SQL Server.

For SQL Server restore operations, you can also restore from a VSS backup to an alternate SQL Server instance. This instance can reside either on the same server where the snapshot is taken or on a different server. For local backups, you can restore only to alternate SQL Server instances on the same server.

  • VSS fast restore processing A VSS fast restore operation restores data from a local snapshot. A VSS fast restore operation overwrites any files that exist at the time of the snapshot on the original source location. The file is overwritten with the version that is stored on the snapshot. Data is overwritten even if a file is marked read-only.

  • VSS instant restore processing

    In an instant restore operation, a volume-level snapshot of a local Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) backup is restored. The VSS backup must exist on SAN-attached volumes.

  • VSS backups that are restored to alternate databases

    IBM Storage Protect Snapshot can restore an Exchange Server database backup or DAG active or passive database copy backup, to a recovery database or to an alternate (or relocated) database. For SQL Server restore operations, you can also restore from a VSS backup to an alternate SQL Server instance. This instance can reside either on the same server where the snapshot is taken or on a different server.

  • Exchange mailbox restore operations

    By using IBM Storage Protect Snapshot, you can restore an entire mailbox or selected mailbox items to the original mailbox, another online mailbox on the same server, or to a Unicode or non-Unicode .pst file.