Patent attributes
A method for snapshots with crash consistency is provided. The method includes indicating intent to create a snapshot of storage system contents associated with an existing snapshot copy identifier, responsive to confirmation that all of a plurality of distributed agents are in a snapshot creation mode. The method includes responding, with a new snapshot copy identifier that replaces the existing snapshot copy identifier, to one or more inquiries from the plurality of distributed agents regarding one or more I/O operations, after the indicating the intent to create the snapshot. The method includes creating the snapshot using the existing snapshot copy identifier and committing the snapshot, responsive to receiving responses from the plurality of distributed agents that service is complete for all I/O operations that started before the indicating the intent to create the snapshot or that are associated with the existing snapshot copy identifier.