topic Re: Running Snap Creator (Action : Backup) from the Agent in Data Protection

Running Snap Creator (Action : Backup) from the Agent

mmodi — Thu, 05 Jun 2025 05:40:35 GMT

Please see attached server config that I use to register a SMVI created snapshot to protection manager dataset (using NTAP_USE_EXTERNAL_SNAPSHOT).

I am wondering if we can include the following CLI as a post command to SMVI such that the SnapVault backup is fully integrated -

snapcreator.exe --server 10.128.113.174 --port 8443 --user admin --passwd netapp1 --profile Modi_Lab --policy daily --action backup --config SMVI_Remote_Backups --verbose

Do I need to install the scServer in addition to the Agent on the VSC/SMVI host to enable running the above CLI as a post command within SMVI ?

Re: Running Snap Creator (Action : Backup) from the Agent

clilescapario — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 22:08:40 GMT

Hello Modi,

You should be able to utilize the snapcreator command line to start the backup like you have described. I would try with only installing the agent. You wouldn't even need to run the agent as a service, as you are just interested in the CLI.

One thing I would point out is that you are potentially missing the ability to centralize your snapmanager schedules in SC. You have described:

- Run SMVI schedule and create backup

- SMVI post script to call SC

- SC grabs external snapshot and then registers in PM

- PM then vaults the snapshot

If you wanted to have a central scheduler, you could do something like:

- Run SC schedule which calls SMVI on remote host to create backup

- SC grabs external snapshot and then registers in PM **

- PM then vaults the snapshot **

** You could even skip PM and just have SC handle the vaulting.

Thanks,

Chris

Re: Running Snap Creator (Action : Backup) from the Agent

mmodi — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 22:21:03 GMT

Thanks for your response Chris

I have in the past looked at leveraging SCF as a centralised scheduler to call SMVI but ran into the following issues -

SMVI CLI does not allow setting a retention policy (GUI option only)

If SCP managed local retention SMVI metadata would be orphaned

SMVI CLI runs in user mode on the cmd prompt while the SCF agent runs as a windows service

Something to do with UNIX environment where agents run on cmd prompt I.e. User mode

This would be resolved only by writing a SMVI plug-In (which I believe would the official product in future)

Cheers,

Modi

Re: Running Snap Creator (Action : Backup) from the Agent

clilescapario — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 22:27:58 GMT

Did you try the VIBE plugin?

Re: Running Snap Creator (Action : Backup) from the Agent

mmodi — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 05:38:35 GMT

Yes, the restores take longer for fcp based vmfs datastores.

I think smvi leverage storage vmotion.

Sent from my Samsung GALAXY S4 on the Telstra 4G network

Re: Running Snap Creator (Action : Backup) from the Agent

gcaley — Tue, 10 Feb 2015 16:26:46 GMT

I am interested in having the Agent, tell SnapCreator Server to run a backup job.

From what you mention, how would tell the agent to do this? I cant see a snapcreator.exe when installing the Agent only?