diff --git a/etc/tempest.conf.sample b/etc/tempest.conf.sample
index 9ace4ea..247f6d1 100644
--- a/etc/tempest.conf.sample
+++ b/etc/tempest.conf.sample
@@ -474,6 +474,10 @@
 # attachment? (boolean value)
 #interface_attach=true
 
+# Does the test environment support creating snapshot images
+# of running instances? (boolean value)
+#snapshot=true
+
 
 [dashboard]
 
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/images/test_images.py b/tempest/api/compute/images/test_images.py
index 29df2b0..bbb887f 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/images/test_images.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/images/test_images.py
@@ -28,6 +28,12 @@
         if not CONF.service_available.glance:
             skip_msg = ("%s skipped as glance is not available" % cls.__name__)
             raise cls.skipException(skip_msg)
+
+        if not CONF.compute_feature_enabled.snapshot:
+            skip_msg = ("%s skipped as instance snapshotting is not supported"
+                        % cls.__name__)
+            raise cls.skipException(skip_msg)
+
         cls.client = cls.images_client
         cls.servers_client = cls.servers_client
 
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/images/test_images_negative.py b/tempest/api/compute/images/test_images_negative.py
index 6163f4d..771040b 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/images/test_images_negative.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/images/test_images_negative.py
@@ -29,6 +29,12 @@
         if not CONF.service_available.glance:
             skip_msg = ("%s skipped as glance is not available" % cls.__name__)
             raise cls.skipException(skip_msg)
+
+        if not CONF.compute_feature_enabled.snapshot:
+            skip_msg = ("%s skipped as instance snapshotting is not supported"
+                        % cls.__name__)
+            raise cls.skipException(skip_msg)
+
         cls.client = cls.images_client
         cls.servers_client = cls.servers_client
 
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/images/test_images_oneserver.py b/tempest/api/compute/images/test_images_oneserver.py
index c81cec5..187c0d4 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/images/test_images_oneserver.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/images/test_images_oneserver.py
@@ -54,6 +54,11 @@
             skip_msg = ("%s skipped as glance is not available" % cls.__name__)
             raise cls.skipException(skip_msg)
 
+        if not CONF.compute_feature_enabled.snapshot:
+            skip_msg = ("%s skipped as instance snapshotting is not supported"
+                        % cls.__name__)
+            raise cls.skipException(skip_msg)
+
         try:
             resp, server = cls.create_test_server(wait_until='ACTIVE')
             cls.server_id = server['id']
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/images/test_images_oneserver_negative.py b/tempest/api/compute/images/test_images_oneserver_negative.py
index 9c4ab00..4e84e08 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/images/test_images_oneserver_negative.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/images/test_images_oneserver_negative.py
@@ -62,6 +62,11 @@
             skip_msg = ("%s skipped as glance is not available" % cls.__name__)
             raise cls.skipException(skip_msg)
 
+        if not CONF.compute_feature_enabled.snapshot:
+            skip_msg = ("%s skipped as instance snapshotting is not supported"
+                        % cls.__name__)
+            raise cls.skipException(skip_msg)
+
         try:
             resp, server = cls.create_test_server(wait_until='ACTIVE')
             cls.server_id = server['id']
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/images/test_list_image_filters.py b/tempest/api/compute/images/test_list_image_filters.py
index f9350e1..68794b1 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/images/test_list_image_filters.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/images/test_list_image_filters.py
@@ -16,6 +16,8 @@
 import StringIO
 import time
 
+import testtools
+
 from tempest.api.compute import base
 from tempest.common.utils import data_utils
 from tempest import config
@@ -63,6 +65,9 @@
         cls.image3 = _create_image()
         cls.image3_id = cls.image3['id']
 
+        if not CONF.compute_feature_enabled.snapshot:
+            return
+
         # Create instances and snapshots via nova
         try:
             resp, cls.server1 = cls.create_test_server()
@@ -114,6 +119,8 @@
         self.assertFalse(any([i for i in images if i['id'] == self.image2_id]))
         self.assertFalse(any([i for i in images if i['id'] == self.image3_id]))
 
+    @testtools.skipUnless(CONF.compute_feature_enabled.snapshot,
+                          'Snapshotting is not available.')
     @test.attr(type='gate')
     def test_list_images_filter_by_server_id(self):
         # The images should contain images filtered by server id
@@ -129,6 +136,8 @@
         self.assertFalse(any([i for i in images
                               if i['id'] == self.snapshot3_id]))
 
+    @testtools.skipUnless(CONF.compute_feature_enabled.snapshot,
+                          'Snapshotting is not available.')
     @test.attr(type='gate')
     def test_list_images_filter_by_server_ref(self):
         # The list of servers should be filtered by server ref
@@ -146,6 +155,8 @@
             self.assertTrue(any([i for i in images
                                  if i['id'] == self.snapshot3_id]))
 
+    @testtools.skipUnless(CONF.compute_feature_enabled.snapshot,
+                          'Snapshotting is not available.')
     @test.attr(type='gate')
     def test_list_images_filter_by_type(self):
         # The list of servers should be filtered by image type
@@ -211,6 +222,8 @@
         resp, images = self.client.list_images_with_detail(params)
         self.assertEqual(1, len(images))
 
+    @testtools.skipUnless(CONF.compute_feature_enabled.snapshot,
+                          'Snapshotting is not available.')
     @test.attr(type='gate')
     def test_list_images_with_detail_filter_by_server_ref(self):
         # Detailed list of servers should be filtered by server ref
@@ -228,6 +241,8 @@
             self.assertTrue(any([i for i in images
                                  if i['id'] == self.snapshot3_id]))
 
+    @testtools.skipUnless(CONF.compute_feature_enabled.snapshot,
+                          'Snapshotting is not available.')
     @test.attr(type='gate')
     def test_list_images_with_detail_filter_by_type(self):
         # The detailed list of servers should be filtered by image type
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/servers/test_server_actions.py b/tempest/api/compute/servers/test_server_actions.py
index 005f38a..f684a5a 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/servers/test_server_actions.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/servers/test_server_actions.py
@@ -256,6 +256,8 @@
         resp, server = self.client.get_server(self.server_id)
         self.assertEqual(previous_flavor_ref, server['flavor']['id'])
 
+    @testtools.skipUnless(CONF.compute_feature_enabled.snapshot,
+                          'Snapshotting not available, backup not possible.')
     @test.attr(type='gate')
     def test_create_backup(self):
         # Positive test:create backup successfully and rotate backups correctly
diff --git a/tempest/api/compute/v3/servers/test_server_actions.py b/tempest/api/compute/v3/servers/test_server_actions.py
index d05e158..538507f 100644
--- a/tempest/api/compute/v3/servers/test_server_actions.py
+++ b/tempest/api/compute/v3/servers/test_server_actions.py
@@ -250,6 +250,8 @@
         resp, server = self.client.get_server(self.server_id)
         self.assertEqual(previous_flavor_ref, server['flavor']['id'])
 
+    @testtools.skipUnless(CONF.compute_feature_enabled.snapshot,
+                          'Snapshotting not available, backup not possible.')
     @test.attr(type='gate')
     def test_create_backup(self):
         # Positive test:create backup successfully and rotate backups correctly
diff --git a/tempest/config.py b/tempest/config.py
index af6dd7a..2412955 100644
--- a/tempest/config.py
+++ b/tempest/config.py
@@ -347,7 +347,11 @@
     cfg.BoolOpt('interface_attach',
                 default=True,
                 help='Does the test environment support dynamic network '
-                     'interface attachment?')
+                     'interface attachment?'),
+    cfg.BoolOpt('snapshot',
+                default=True,
+                help='Does the test environment support creating snapshot '
+                     'images of running instances?')
 ]
 
 
diff --git a/tempest/scenario/test_snapshot_pattern.py b/tempest/scenario/test_snapshot_pattern.py
index 7dd662d..ffdd006 100644
--- a/tempest/scenario/test_snapshot_pattern.py
+++ b/tempest/scenario/test_snapshot_pattern.py
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@
 #    License for the specific language governing permissions and limitations
 #    under the License.
 
+import testtools
+
 from tempest import config
 from tempest.openstack.common import log
 from tempest.scenario import manager
@@ -71,6 +73,8 @@
     def _set_floating_ip_to_server(self, server, floating_ip):
         server.add_floating_ip(floating_ip)
 
+    @testtools.skipUnless(CONF.compute_feature_enabled.snapshot,
+                          'Snapshotting is not available.')
     @test.services('compute', 'network', 'image')
     def test_snapshot_pattern(self):
         # prepare for booting a instance
diff --git a/tempest/scenario/test_stamp_pattern.py b/tempest/scenario/test_stamp_pattern.py
index be27024..4783273 100644
--- a/tempest/scenario/test_stamp_pattern.py
+++ b/tempest/scenario/test_stamp_pattern.py
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 import time
 
 from cinderclient import exceptions as cinder_exceptions
+import testtools
 
 from tempest.common.utils import data_utils
 from tempest import config
@@ -150,6 +151,8 @@
         self.assertEqual(self.timestamp, got_timestamp)
 
     @tempest.test.skip_because(bug="1205344")
+    @testtools.skipUnless(CONF.compute_feature_enabled.snapshot,
+                          'Snapshotting is not available.')
     @tempest.test.services('compute', 'network', 'volume', 'image')
     def test_stamp_pattern(self):
         # prepare for booting a instance