Hardware disk array vendors may support VSS snapshots and the transporting of volumes to the media server for backup in a SAN environment. Using hardware providers requires a sound understanding of how disk arrays are configured for shared access between the remote computer and the media server in a SAN.

Consult the documentation for your hardware disk array on how to set up such disk arrays for offhost backup. Specifically, note any limitations on using the disk arrays in context with VSS snapshots, and note how to verify if the volumes are transportable. It is highly recommended that you make use of any tools provided by the vendor to help verify the setup and for troubleshooting issues.