Diagnosing VSS issues

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You can test VSS persistent, non-persistent, and resync snapshots on your system with the assistance of a VSS diagnostics wizard.

Before you begin
Attention: Do not run these tests if you are already using SAN Volume Controller or Storwize® V7000 space-efficient snapshots on your computer. If you do so, existing snapshots might be removed.
Procedure
  1. Start Microsoft Management Console (MMC).
  2. To open the diagnostics wizard, complete these steps:
    1. Click Diagnostics in the results pane of the welcome page.
    2. In the Actions pane, click VSS Diagnostics.
    A list of volumes are displayed, and the status of each test is displayed when it is completed.
  3. To view the results of the persistent and non-persistent snapshot testing, complete these steps:
    1. Select the volumes or mount points to test and click Next.
    2. Click Show VSS Information to view details about the VSS providers, writers, and snapshots that are available on your system.
    The results of the persistent and non-persistent snapshot testing displays as Passed or Failed.
  4. To view the results of the resync snapshot testing, complete these steps:
    CAUTION:
    VSS ResyncLUNs API instant restore tests will revert the data on the volume to an earlier time. Do not enable these instant restore tests on production volumes as data loss may occur.
    1. To test if the selected volumes support the VSS ResyncLuns API, select a volume and then click Next.
    2. Verify that the Testing resync snapshot field indicates a successful result.
    The results of the resync snapshot testing display as Passed or Warning.
    Note: On non-IBM storage devices, resync snapshots are necessary only for instant restore. Resync snapshots have no impact on backup and fast restore on non-IBM storage devices.
  5. Review the results of the snapshot testing and click Next.
    The final results of the persistent and non-persistent snapshot testing display as Success or Unsuccessful.
  6. Depending on the results, complete these steps:
    • If the testing status is a success, click Finish and exit the wizard.
    • If the testing status is not successful, click Previous and review information in the Rule dialog.
  7. Return to the Management window and begin backup operations.