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Snapshots

Overview​

A snapshot is a point-in-time copy of a block storage volume. Use it to restore data or to create a new volume. For automatic backups, see the Snapshot scheduler.

Prerequisites
  • Resource.BlockStorageSnapshot.CREATE permission
  • The block storage to snapshot must already exist

Creating a snapshot​

Option 1: From the block storage detail page

  1. Pick the target volume in Block Storage > Block Storage.
  2. Click Create Snapshot on the detail page.

Option 2: From the Snapshots menu

  1. Go to Block Storage > Snapshots.
  2. Click the Create Snapshot button in the top right.

In the create form:

FieldDescription
NameIdentifier (keep the auto-generated snapshot-xxxxxx or edit it)
ZoneThe zone the snapshot will be stored in
Source block storageThe volume to snapshot (only volumes in the selected zone are shown)
  1. Click Create.

The snapshot transitions through Pending → Ready. Once Ready, it can be used.

Snapshot states​

A snapshot moves through five states (ResourceBlockStorageSnapshotStatusEnum):

StateMeaning
PendingQueued (before the Ceph RBD is created)
AllocatedThe storage agent picked up the job and is creating the snapshot RBD
ReadySnapshot RBD created and usable
DeletingDeletion in progress
DeletedDeletion complete

Creating a new volume from a snapshot​

You can build a new block storage volume from a snapshot and attach it to a different VM. There is no dedicated "Clone" button; instead, you pick the snapshot in the block-storage create wizard.

  1. Under Block Storage > Block Storage, click Create Block Storage.
  2. Set the disk type to Snapshot.
  3. Pick the snapshot to restore in the Snapshot ID field.
  4. Enter the name, size, and zone, then click Create.

The new volume contains the data as of the snapshot point in time. The source snapshot is unchanged, and the snapshot's detail page lists every volume restored from it under Block storages created from snapshot.

The original volume is not affected

A volume created from a snapshot is a separate resource. The data in the original block storage is unchanged.

What you can see on the snapshot detail page​

On the snapshot detail page:

  • General info: name, size, zone, source volume, creation date
  • Block storages created from snapshot: list of volumes restored from this snapshot

Deleting a snapshot​

In Storage > Snapshots (list or detail page):

  1. Choose Delete from the target snapshot's menu.
  2. Confirm in the dialog.
Deletion is irreversible

After deletion, you can no longer create new volumes from that point in time. Volumes that were already created from the snapshot are unaffected.

To save cost, regularly delete old snapshots you no longer need. For automatic cleanup, use the retention policy in the Snapshot scheduler.

Next steps​