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This Dell Knowledge Base article guides you through the safe and effective management of snapshots in Dell Unity storage systems. It outlines key considerations, risks, and best practices to prevent data loss and maintain system integrity.
What Are Snapshots? Snapshots in Dell Unity are space-efficient, point-in-time copies of data. They allow you to: Restore data quickly if there is corruption or accidental deletion. Support backup and replication processes. Maintain historical versions of data without duplicating entire volumes. Snapshots consume storage over time as changes accumulate, so regular management is essential. Risks of Deleting Snapshots Deleting snapshots without proper checks can lead to: Data loss if the snapshot contains unique or unbacked-up data. Broken dependencies with: Backup jobs relying on the snapshot Replication sessions using the snapshot as a source Service disruptions if applications or users are actively using the snapshot. Checklist Before Deleting a Snapshot Confirm that the snapshot is not in use Check if any backup, replication, or application process is actively using the snapshot. Check size, age, and dependencies Evaluate how much space the snapshot is consuming, how old it is, and whether it has any linked resources. Communicate with stakeholders Notify relevant teams (for example, backup admins, application owners) to avoid accidental data loss. Review retention policies Ensure that deletion aligns with your organization's data retention and compliance policies. Safe Deletion Steps Using Unisphere: Log in to Unisphere Navigate to Storage > Block > LUNs or File > File Systems Select the resource and go to the Snapshots tab Identify the snapshot to delete Confirm it is not in use Click Delete and confirm the action ⚠️ Tip: Always double-check dependencies before confirming deletion. If pool usage is 95% > contact Dell Technical Support to review. It is recommended to delete snapshots one by one and verify the pool usage after each deletion. Additional Tips for Snapshot Management Monitor pool usage : Regularly check storage pool capacity to avoid overprovisioning. Automate cleanup : Use snapshot schedules with automatic expiration to reduce manual effort. Set alerts : Configure alerts for snapshot growth or pool thresholds to stay proactive
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