---
title: "Overview of VAST Snapshots and Clones"
slug: "overview-of-vast-snapshots-and-clones-2-4"
updated: 2026-11-06T00:10:24Z
published: 2026-11-06T00:10:24Z
canonical: "docs.vastdata.com/overview-of-vast-snapshots-and-clones-2-4"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.vastdata.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Overview of VAST Snapshots and Clones

You can protect Kubernetes volumes using VAST Cluster snapshots.

A snapshot is a reference point that preserves the exact folder structure and data content of a data path at a point in time. Snapshots serve as a virtual copy of the data you had at previous points in time and enable you to restore files or directories after deletion or modification.

> [!NOTE]
> **Note**
> 
> For more information about VAST snapshots, see the *VAST Cluster Administrator's Guide*.

You can [create](/develop/docs/create-a-volume-snapshot-2-4) snapshots for your Persistent Volume Claims (PVCs) to be able to [restore](/develop/docs/restore-a-volume-from-a-snapshot-2-4) the data based on an existing snapshot.

VAST CSI Driver lets you create an instantly writable [clone](/develop/docs/clone-a-volume-or-a-snapshot-2-4) of a Kubernetes volume.

VAST CSI Driver also supports provisioning for read-only PVCs based on Kubernetes-created snapshots.