topic Difference between VSC/SMVI snapshots and OnTap native snapshots? in ONTAP Discussions

Difference between VSC/SMVI snapshots and OnTap native snapshots?

heightsnj — Wed, 04 Jun 2025 14:47:03 GMT

If we use VSC snapshots ( without quiescing the datatstore) we can mount them in vSphere and do the recovery. Likewise, we can do the same by mounting Snapshots taken by OnTap native snapshots.

Are these two methods the same?

What the fomer one can do but the latter one canno't do?

If the same, can I then use OnTap snapshots to replace VSC/SMVI?

Thank you for your inputs in advance!

Re: Difference between VSC/SMVI snapshots and OnTap native snapshots?

J_curl — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 21:00:50 GMT

we are no longer using VSC for backups, but as i recall you cannot see the "native" snapshots from the VSC plugin. You could also not see them under the "backups" tab in the vsphere web client. our VM admins wouldn;t normally have access to create or mount snaps outside of VSC.

The VSC snaps are just the same as any other snaps. The plugin makes it a lot easier for VM admins.