Accessing snapshots of files stored on Z-drive

Accessing snapshots of files stored on Z-drive

Introduction

Data in your workspace is recommended to be stored on the data/Z-drive. The Z-drive is an Azure Fileshare that can store up to 5 TiB by default. Moreover, every evening at 23:00 (UTC+01:00, Amsterdam Time Zone) a snapshot is created from the data stored on the data/Z-drive. The Z-drive is the only drive that has this snapshot function! 

A snapshot is not a complete back-up, but it saves the changes compared to the previous day. Snapshots are created in a 30-day cycle, meaning you can go back 30 versions. The oldest version is deleted and a new version is created. What that means for the CIA/BIV classification, you can read here: CIA/BIV Classification.

Accessing snapshots through the portal

  1. Accountable, Privileged, Advanced and Standard Members can copy the relevant files from the snapshots to the fileshare.

You can access the snapshots yourself by following these steps:
  1. Log in to the mydre.org portal and navigate to your workspace.
  2. Access the Files tab.
  3. Click on Snapshots on the left hand side.


Snapshots are indicated in the yellow in the list below: 


  1. Here you can view and restore data from the snapshots. Simply click on the folder of the desired date and copy the relevant files to the fileshare. The snapshots are read-only, you will have to copy the file to your fileshare and check yourself if this is the correct one by logging in onto the VM.

Accessing snapshots from within the VM

  1. Start up the VM and log in.
  2. Go to the the data (Z:) drive and right click > Properties.

  1. Go to Previous versions.

  1. Select a version and click on Open.
    1. DO NOT USE RESTORE: this will restore the whole version, overwriting the current one.
  2. Find the file you want to restore and copy that file to the correct location to restore it.

    • Related Articles

    • Z:-drive not available in newly created VM from image

      Bug description A VM based on an image does not mount the Z-drive for those who were part of the VM from which the image was created. However this is visible: Related to: Create VM-templates for your Workspace Creating VM images for Shared Gallery ...

    • [Resolved] Z: drive unavailable for a short period

      Version: 2023-01-19 TL;DR The Z: drive was not visible in the myDRE Workspaces due to the push of an incorrect configuration file. The issue has been resolved. We apologise for any inconvenience this might have caused you. What happened? On ...

    • [RESOLVED] Z: drive and domain allowlisting unavailable - Workaround for Z:

      Version: 2023-03-24 TL;DR The Z: drive was not visible in the myDRE Workspaces due to an issue at Microsoft leaving proxy instances in an unhealthy state. The issue has been resolved. We apologise for any inconvenience this might cause you. What ...

    • I cannot see the Z:-drive

      The problem It can happen for some reasons you don't have access to your z:-drive. Windows virtual machine The solutions There are two solutions you can try: Solution 1 - Easiest Solution 2 - Create a support ticket and provide information for ...

    • Zipping files for quick up-/download

      When you want to up- or download a lot of files or whole folder structures at once to/from your workspace, compressing the data into a single file (e.g., zip) is highly recommended. There are a few things you need to take into account when doing ...