Management: System Interfaces 23718Management: System InterfacesMicrosoft ServicesVirtual Disk ServiceThe Microsoft Virtual Disk Service (VDS) is a component of the Windowsoperating system. The VDS component utilizes third-party vendor specificsoftware modules, known as providers, to access and configure third-partystorage resources, such as MD3200i storage arrays. The VDS componentexposes a set of application programming interfaces (APIs) that provides asingle interface for managing disks and other storage hardware. The MD3200iSeries VDS Provider enables Windows tools, including the Disk Manager, toaccess and configure storage array virtual disks.The VDS Provider for the MD3200i Series arrays is available on the MD3200iSeries resource media. For more information on VDS, see microsoft.com.Volume Shadow-Copy ServiceThe Microsoft Volume Shadow-copy Service (VSS) is a component of theMicrosoft Windows operating system. The VSS component utilizes third-partvendor specific software modules, known as providers, to access and utilizesnapshot and disk copy functionality provided by third-party storageresources, such as MD3200i Series storage arrays. The combination of theVSS component and the VSS Provider, included on the MD3200i Resourcemedia, enable the MD3200i Series arrays to be utilized by third-party andWindows backup and snapshot applications.NOTE: Virtual disks used as source virtual disks for VSS snapshots must havenames no longer than 16 characters.The VSS hardware provider uses the source virtual disk name as a prefix forthe snapshot and repository virtual disk names. The resulting snapshot andrepository names are too long if the source virtual disk name exceeds 16characters.
