[This is preliminary documentation and subject to change]

# Metabase Snapshot Writer

Metabase Snapshot Writer (MSW) uses COM interfaces to ensure NTbackup creates a stable and reliable backup of the metabase. MSW is automatically activated when NTbackup is used to back up the metabase. MSW determines if one of the drive volumes NTbackup is assigned to back up contains the metabase files. If so, MSW flushes the data from the In-Memory metabase to the MetaBase.xml and MBSchema.xml files. If not, MSW waits for the next call for NTbackup. Next, MSW prevents new information from being added to the In-Memory metabase for a maximum of two minutes, while NT Backup backs up the metabase. When NT Backup finishes, MSW releases the write lock on the In-memory metabase. The following graphic illustrates the MSW activation and functionality.

Note Metabase Snapshot Writer supports NTbackup, it is not a part of the Configuration Backup/Restore application that runs from the IIS snap-in.

Important NTbackup does not invoke Metabase Snapshot Writer when restoring the Metabase.xml and MBSchema.xml files. Before restoring the metabase with NTbackup, stop the IIS Admin service to prevent IIS from writing to the metabase files.

Related Topics

- For more information about NT backup, search for the keyword "ntbackup" in the online Windows help.
- For more information about stopping and restarting the IIS Admin service, see Restarting IIS.
- For more information about the metabase, see Metabase.
- For information about backing up and restoring the metabase, see Metabase Reliability.

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