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# Link to snapshots

TimeFinder SnapVX is a local replication solution that is designed to non-disruptively create point-in-time copies (snapshots) of critical data.

## Prerequisites

- See Roles and associated permissions to determine the user roles that can perform this task.
- The targets must not be linked to any other snapshots.
- The target volume must be of equal or greater size than the source volume.
- Any pre-existing data that was exclusive to the target is lost during a link or relink.
- The SnapVX link storage group dialog is updated to always create CKD devices when the New storage group target name radio button is selected.
- Storage groups of Celerra FBA emulation may be managed externally using eNAS.
- SRDF/Metro Volumes that have snapshots that are taken can be expanded. When linking an expanded volume, the link targets should use the size of the volume when the snapshot as taken to find link candidates.

## About this task

This procedure explains how to perform this operation from the TimeFinder/SnapVX view. You can also perform this operation from other locations in the interface. Depending on the location, some of the steps may not apply.

This procedure explains how to link one or more host-mapped target volumes to a snapshot, thus making the point-in-time data of the snapshot available to applications running on the host.

Snapshots can be linked to target volumes in the following modes:

- NoCopy mode—Creates a temporary, space-saving snapshot of only the changed data on the Storage Resource Pool (SRP) of the snapshot. Target volumes that are linked in this mode will not retain data after the links are removed. This mode is the default mode. This mode cannot be used when either the source or link target volume is a Data Domain volume.
- Copy mode—Creates a permanent, full-volume copy of the data on the SRP of the target volume. Target volumes that are linked in this mode will retain data after the links are removed.

Linking a Storage Groups snapshot after the SG volumes have been subsequently expanded picks volumes to link to by using the volume size at the time of the snapshot being taken.

## Steps

To link to snapshots:

1. Select the storage system.
2. Click PROTECTION and select Manual SnapVX from the Protected Storage Groups section of the summary panel.
3. Select the storage group and click Link.
   For storage groups with Celerra FBA emulation, a warning dialog is displayed indicating that the storage group may be managed externally using eNAS. To continue, click OK, otherwise click CANCEL.
4. Select the Snapshot Name.
5. Specify whether to link to a new target storage group (one not already linked to a snapshot) or an existing target storage group.
6. Optional: Modify the default name for the new storage group.
7. Click Advanced Options to continue setting the advanced options, as described next.
   Setting Advanced options:
   - To force the operation even though one or more volumes may not be in the normal, expected state, select Force.
   - To create a permanent, full-time copy of the data on the SRP of the target volume, select Copy. Selecting Copy enables the Remote option.
   - To specify that the operation is for devices in STAR mode, select Star.
   - To configure the setting for the data to be propagated to the remote mirror of the SRDF device, select Remote.
   - To specify that the operation is for devices in STAR mode, select Star.
8. Do one of the following:
   - Click Run Now to perform the operation now.
   - Expand Run Now and click Add to Job List to add this task to the job list, from which you can schedule or run the task at your convenience. For more information, see Schedule jobs and Preview jobs.