Home > Storage > PowerMax and VMAX > Data Protection > Dell PowerMax 2500 and 8500: TimeFinder SnapVX Snapshots and Clones > Linked target and clone capacity usage
Some use cases require dedicated linked targets or clones, for example, when presenting separate copies to multiple users. Linked targets and clones can also be shared across source volumes in some use cases. For example, if a set of linked targets is used only to verify the validity of snapshot data from a Storage Group. After the data is verified, the targets can be unlinked and then linked to the next Storage Group for the same purpose. Reusing volumes reduces system resource usage and simplifies management.
Unshared target data is deallocated during link and relink operations. It is not recommended to deallocate a target after an unlink operation if the target will be linked again soon.
However, if there are no plans to use the target again soon, consider performing a free –all operation on the target or clone to release system resources.
Linked targets and clones typically have some combination of shared data and exclusive (nonshared) data. The define process creates shared data. Host writes create exclusive data. Operations such as snapshot termination, and deallocation, freeing, or host writes to other targets can cause shared data to become exclusive data.
Capacity usage and other information for linked target and clone volumes is reported the same as any other volume type. Using BCVs as linked targets and clones, although not required, can aid capacity reporting without affecting feature functionality.