Opvizor released a tool called Snapwatcher that allows the administrators to find orphaned snapshots and snapshots vSphere Client can’t detect.
The tool is not limited in monitoring orphaned snapshots only but it is also able to fix them releasing space and improving the performance.
With Snapwatcher administrators can perform the following tasks:
- Monitor VMware snapshots in your environment and report your efforts saving space
- Track snapshots and find invalid snapshots
- Fix broken, old and invalid snapshots
System requirements
To install Opvizor Snapwatcher you need the following components installed in your system:
- .NET 4.0
- Windows Installer 4.5
- VMware vCenter 4.1 and higher
Install Snapwatcher
From Opvizor website fill the form and download the application.
Double click the installer to start the installation. In the Security Warning window click Install to proceed.
The application is downloaded from the website.
Click Run to start the installation.
Check the I have read and agree to the terms option and click Close.
Opvizor offers a 7-day trial period fully functional. Click OK.
When the installation has completed, main window is open.
Setup Snapwatcher
Once installed, click on Settings icon to setup the tool.
Enter the VMware vCenter, the correct credentials and click Test Connection to check the connectivity.
On Successful connection click OK to close the window.
Click Save to store the vCenter Server settings.
Click OK to close the Settings window.
The application scans the environment to detect invalid snapshots.
After few minutes, detected snapshots are displayed with current Status.
The right side of the window reports the General Info of detected environment.
Right click the snapshot marked as Invalid and select About The Snapshot option.
The snapshot details are shown. Click Close to exit the window.
Repair an invalid snapshot
Right click the snapshot marked as Invalid and select Fix It option.
The Invalid Files Info are displayed. Click Next to continue.
Click Finish to proceed with fix.
Click Yes to continue.
The snapshot is being processed.
The process completes when the Recommend message is displayed.
Delete a snapshot
Right click the snapshot to delete and select Delete option.
Click Yes to confirm.
The snapshot has been deleted.
In the Work History pane you can find the deleted snapshot info.
Customize the view
You can customize the view of your columns by adding, removing and moving them. Right click the column header and select the Column Chooser option.
The Customization window opens. Double click the item you want to show in the columns list (i.e. Host).
You can drag the new column to set the view as you like.
You can also group the view by the selected column (i.e. Host).
The snapshots are grouped by the selected column.
The Snapwatcher view with a grouped column.
With Opvizor Snapwatcher invalid or orphaned snapshots can be detected and removed saving precious disk space and improving the performance.
