How to Preserve a SnapCenter Snapshot

[TMADOCTHOMAS]

I need to preserve the oldest snapshot on a volume for about a week before it rolls off automatically tonight. The snapshot is for a datastore volume and was created by the SnapCenter plug-in for VMware. What is the best way to preserve the snapshot? Can it be done by simply renaming it so SnapCenter doesn't see it as one of it's own snapshots?

[Ontapforrum]

I think I have done it in the past for a similar situation. Renaming should work. However, I just found this kb, that suggests - setting the expiry date. I never used it before but looks like it's better than re-naming.  I think you should try setting the expiry date a week ahead. I no longer have a snapcenter setup to simulate it but you could tell us if that works.

How to preserve a Snapshot from manual or auto deletion
https://kb.netapp.com/Advice_and_Troubleshooting/Data_Protection_and_Security/SnapMirror/How_to_preserve_one_particular_SnapVault_Snapshot_from_manual...

[TMADOCTHOMAS · Accepted solution]

Thanks @Ontapforrum ! I saw that but wasn't sure if it would apply with an application like SnapCenter. It might but am not sure. I noticed the current snapshots generated by SnapCenter all show "-" for the expiry date which is why I wonder.

I sent this inquiry to my rep as well and he came up a with a KB that answers the question! I'll mark this as a solution in case anyone looks for this.

https://kb.netapp.com/Advice_and_Troubleshooting/Data_Storage_Software/ONTAP_OS/Can_a_snapshot_be_taken_out_of_the_Snapshot_Policy_Rotation%3F