Configuring a Snapshot Retention Policy

Important:

After you create or modify a snapshot retention policy, QTS applies the new policy to existing snapshots. If the new policy is more restrictive than the previous policy, for example changing from Keep for: 5 days to Keep for: 2 days, then QTS deletes existing snapshots to conform with the new policy.

  1. Go to Storage & Snapshots > Storage > Storage/Snapshots.
  2. Select a thick volume, thin volume, or LUN.
  3. Click Snapshot and then select Snapshot Manager.

    The Snapshot Manager window opens.

  4. Click Schedule Snapshot.

    The Snapshot Settings window opens.

  5. Click Snapshot Retention.
  6. Select a snapshot retention policy.

    Snapshot Retention Policy

    UI Label

    Description

    Time-based

    Keep for

    Keep each snapshot for the specified length of time.

    Fixed number

    Keep the specified number of snapshots

    Keep a fixed maximum number of snapshots on the NAS. After the maximum number is reached, QTS deletes the oldest snapshot when taking a new snapshot.

    Smart versioning

    Smart versioning

    Keep a snapshot created during a time period for a specified length of time.

    Examples:

    • Hourly: 24 - At the end of every hour, the earliest snapshot created that hour becomes the hourly backup. The snapshot is retained for 24 hours and then deleted.

    • Daily: 14 - At the end of every day, the earliest snapshot created that day becomes the daily snapshot. The snapshot is retained for 14 days and then deleted.

    • Weekly: 5 - At the end of every week, the earliest snapshot created that week becomes the weekly snapshot. The snapshot is retained for 5 weeks and then deleted.

    • Monthly: 11 - At the end of every month, the earliest snapshot created that month becomes the monthly snapshot. The snapshot is retained for 11 months and then deleted.

    Important:

    The maximum number of snapshots for all time periods combined is 256.

  7. Click OK.