HP P4000 9.0 HP StorageWorks P4000 SAN Solution User Guide - Page 233

14 SmartClone volumes SmartClone are space-efficient copies of existing volumes or snapshots. They appear as multiple volumes that share a common snapshot, called a clone point. They share this snapshot data on the SAN. SmartClone volumes can be used to duplicate configurations or environments for widespread use, quickly and without consuming disk space for duplicated data. Use the SmartClone process to create up to 25 volumes in a single operation. Repeat the process to create more volumes, or use the CLI to create larger quantities in a single scripted operation.volumes What are SmartClone volumes? SmartClone volumes can be created instantaneously and are fully featured, writable volumes. The only difference between regular volumes, snapshots, and SmartClone volumes is that SmartClone volumes are dependent on the clone point, that is, the snapshot they are created from. Additionally, they may minimize space used on the SAN. For example, you create a volume with a specific OS configuration. Then, using the SmartClone process, you create multiple volumes with access to that same OS configuration, and yet you only need a single instance of the configuration. Only as additional data is written to the different SmartClone volumes do those volumes consume additional space on the SAN. The space you save is reflected on the Use Summary tab in the Cluster tab window, described in "Cluster use summary" on page 198. Multiple SmartClone volumes can be individually managed just like other volumes. SmartClone volumes can be used long term in production environments. Examples of common uses for SmartClone volumes: • Deploy large quantities of virtual machine clones, including virtual servers and virtual desktops • Copy production data for use in test and development environments • Clone database volumes for data mining • Create and deploy boot-from-SAN images Prerequisites • You must have created a management group, cluster, and at least one volume. • You must have enough space on the SAN for the configuration you are planning. • You must be running SAN/iQ software version 8.0 or later. SmartClone volume terminology Table 51 lists terms and definitions used for the SmartClone volumes feature. The illustration in Figure 81 on page 234 shows how the SmartClone volumes and related elements look in the CMC. Table 51 Terms used for SmartClone features Term SmartClone Volume Definition A volume created using the SmartClone process. In Figure 81 on page 234, the volume Volume_2 is a SmartClone volume. P4000 SAN Solution user guide 233