VDS - Volume Disk Service |
| Q1. |
What is Volume Disk Service? |
| A1. |
A single storage management interface for Microsoft Windows Server 2003 environments that allows users to configure a mixed storage environment without using individual management tools from each storage vendor. More details are available on Microsoft's website: Microsoft Volume Disk Service details. |
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| Q2. |
What version of VDS Hardware Providers is currently available? |
| A2. |
Currently all HP VDS Hardware Providers support Microsoft VDS version 1.0. |
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| Q3. |
When will VDS 1.1 Hardware Providers be available? |
| A3. |
Microsoft is publicly releasing the VDS 1.1 developer's program in June of 2005.
HP plans to begin updating our VDS Hardware Providers to version 1.1 in Q3 of 2005. |
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VSS - Volume Shadow copy Service |
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| Q1. |
What is Volume Shadow copy Service? |
| A1. |
A service for Microsoft Windows Server 2003 that allows users to create online point-in-time copies of open files from a file server, backup application or within Microsoft Exchange or SQL application environments. More details are available on Microsoft website: Microsoft Volume Shadow copy Service details |
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| Q2. |
What version of VSS Hardware Providers is currently available? |
| A2. |
Currently all HP VSS Hardware Providers support Windows Server 2003 and Windows Server 2003 SP1. Microsoft does not track VSS versioning at this time. |
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| Q3. |
What is the benefit of using an HP VSS Hardware Provider over the Windows in-box VSS provider? |
| A3. |
HP VSS Hardware Providers support direct array-based point-in-time copies. The benefit is that the copy takes place inside the HP array and data is not required to move through the sever or Storage Area Network. This frees-up valuable server cache and I/O resources and allows your application environment to continue without impacting overall system performance. |
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3rd-Party Application and Solution Integration |
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| Q1. |
Do HP Hardware Providers integrate with 3rd-Party Applications and Solutions? |
| A1. |
HP Hardware Providers are designed to work seamlessly with any software application or solution that supports the Microsoft VDS and VSS. Microsoft designed the VDS and VSS framework to simplify application and solution integration. In addition to HP software solutions, HP Hardware Providers are currently integrated with solutions from several software vendors. Software and solutions vendors are welcome to integrate the current HP Hardware Providers available for public download on hp.com. The HP product VSS Administration Guide details normal operation and product specific feature enablement. |
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