Media management during backup sessions

What happens during backup?

During a backup session, Data Protector automatically selects media for backup and keeps track of which data is backed up to which media. This simplifies management of media so that the operator does not need to know exactly which data was backed up to which media. Backup objects that have been backed up within the same backup session represent a media set.

This section provides the following information:

How Data Protector selects media for backup

How full and incremental backups are added to the media

How the condition of media is calculated

For related information, see the following sections:

Full and incremental backups” on page 71

Media pools” on page 135

Selecting media for backups

Data Protector automatically selects media for backup based on media allocation policies. This simplifies media management and media handling; a backup operator does not need to manually administer the media for backup.

Media allocation policy

You can influence how media are selected for backup using the media allocation policy. You can specify a loose policy, where any suitable medium is used for backup, including new, blank media or a strict policy, where media must be available in a predefined order to facilitate balanced media usage. Additionally, you can use a pre-allocation list.

Pre-allocating media

Data Protector allows you to explicitly specify media from a media pool that you want to use for a backup using a pre-allocation list. Combine this list with the strict media allocation policy. In this case, the media are used in the exact order as specified. If media are not found in this order, Data Protector issues a mount request.

Concepts guide

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