The LucidLink Filespaces log-structured design and block-level data layout built on object store present a unique opportunity for granular snapshot capabilities.
Snapshots can be enabled per filespace with multiple snapshots configurable to each filespace.
Snapshots are created from the command line interface. For example: every hour, day, week, month and yearly snapshots can be created, deleted and replaced to satisfy your organization's recovery point objectives. You can automate the creation of snapshots through snapshot scheduling.
In this article, we will focus on manual snapshots and familiarize you with the process of managing your snapshots, mounting and accessing their data. Methods equally apply to snapshots created by snapshot schedules.
Accessing Your Snapshots
All snapshots can be activated via the LucidLink Client dashboard or via the command line, by selecting the snapshot tab, entering your password and selecting Mount. Snapshots are read-only, you can simply copy any required data out of a certain snapshot to your active Filespace.
Navigate to the LucidLink Application Home screen, select the relevant filespace from the list of available Filespaces and navigate to the Snapshots tab:
Once you've activated your snapshots, you will note an additional mount point that contains all your available snapshots.
Windows:
macOS:
Linux:
Creating and Managing Snapshots
Snapshots are managed using the LucidLink Client via the control panel. Navigate to the LucidLink Application Home screen, select the relevant filespace from the list of available Filespaces and navigate to the Control Panel tab.
Navigate to the Snapshots tab and select the plus button to create a manual snapshot.
Provide a Snapshot name and select choose Add Snapshot
Your Snapshot will appear in the list and is available to users to mount.
You can delete a snapshot by selecting the ellipsis menu corresponding to the snapshot you wish to delete
You can also set a snapshot schedule, allowing you to automate snapshot creation and retention. Filespace snapshot schedules are managed centrally. Once you set up a snapshot schedule, these will be created automatically, whether the LucidLink Client is connected or not.
You can learn about snapshot schedules from this article snapshot schedules.
Command-line Snapshot administration
Each snapshot is represented by name description along with a unique identifier in order to delete your snapshot and replace it in future with an updated point in time.
usage: lucid2 snapshot [options]
Snapshot management. To activate a snapshot, see the options of 'lucid2 activate'. To schedule snapshots see 'lucid2 snapshot-schedule'.
Options:
--password password Root user's password is required for creating and deleting snapshots
[--list] Display the list of existing snapshots
--create [name] Create a snapshot with the specified name. Name format: a-z, A-Z, 0-9, '-_ ()'. Max length 40 chars
--delete id Delete the snapshot with the specified id
Create snapshot:
lucid2 snapshot --create Now Snapshot with ID 1 created.
List snapshots:
lucid2 snapshot --list ID STATE NAME CREATED ON 1 valid Now 2019-06-20 12:00
Delete snapshot:
lucid2 snapshot --delete <id>
Mounting a Snapshot via command-line interface
There are multiple ways to activate snapshots allowing read-only access.
Our CLI provides daemon link modes to interface with your snapshot data. Each mode provides unique advantages depending on the use case.
Launch an individual snapshot:
lucid2 --instance <id> daemon --fs <filespace.domain> --user <fsuser> --password <userpwd> --mount-point <mount-point> --snapshot <id>
Specify a mount-point relevant to your operating environment: Windows can be a drive letter or directory. macOS and Linux a mount-point such as within your home directory ~/snapshot
Mount all your snapshots:
lucid2 --instance <id> daemon --fs <filespace.domain> --user <fsuser> --password <userpwd> --mount-point <mount-point> --all-snapshots
Please reach out to LucidLink Support should you require any further assistance.