Plan for SQL snapshots with SharePoint 2010

One of the nice new features that SharePoint 2010 brings to the table is the ability to integrate with SQL Server’s snapshot generation and management functionality.
Using SQL Server snapshots makes it possible for administrators to conduct some previously disruptive operations with minimal user impact.
For example, site collection backups normally require that a site collection be write-locked in order to maintain consistency during the backup process.
The same backup can be taken against a SQL Server snapshot without incurring the adverse effects of a write lock, permitting users to continue working with the site collection being backed-up without being forced into read-only mode.

There’s a catch, though: SQL Server snapshot capabilities only exist in the Developer and Enterprise editions of SQL Server.  If you would like to use SQL Server snapshots with SharePoint 2010, be sure to plan on the use (and licensing) of SQL Server Enterprise in your farm.