Supported snapshot technologies

To use snapshot technologies with Backup Exec, you must install the Advanced Open File Option (AOFO). After making backup selections and selecting AOFO, you can configure Backup Exec to use the snapshot technologies installed on your computers.

Backup Exec supports the following snapshot technologies:

Table: Supported snapshot technologies

Operating System

Snapshot Technology

On Windows 2000 only

Symantec Volume Snapshot Provider (VSP)

Symantec Volume Snapshot Provider (VSP) is installed when you install AOFO.

On Windows 2000/2003 only

Veritas Storage Foundation™ by Symantec, formerly known as Veritas Volume Manager (VM), FlashSnap Option

On Windows Server 2003 and later

Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS)

Third party software vendors also provide additional components that work in conjunction with the Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service. These components, called Writers, are used to flush application data or file data (if a file is open) residing in the computer's memory before the Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service makes a snapshot of the volume to be backed up. See your software documentation for information about VSS Writers that may be provided by the application software vendor.

For Windows Vista/Server 2008, VSS is always used by default.

Note:

If you turn off Active Directory, Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) is not available. Jobs that require VSS fail.