Figure 100 Backup generations

You configure Data Protector to automatically maintain the desired number of backup generations by selecting the appropriate data and catalog protection durations, and scheduling for unattended backups, both full and incremental.

For example, to keep three backup generations while you have weekly full backups and daily leveled incremental backups, specify data protection to 7*3+6=27 days. A backup generation represents a full backup and all incremental backups until the next full backup: therefore, the six in the formula represents incremental backups before the next, fourth, backup generation belonging to the third backup generation.

You can set automatic media rotation (for the media with expired protection time) through an appropriate pool usage concept. For more information, see “Implementing a media rotation policy” on page 143.

Examples of automated media copying

After a backup finishes, you can use the automated media copy functionality to copy the media, and then move either the originals or the copies to an off-site vault. You can use either post-backup or scheduled media copying, depending on the availability of devices.

The considerations that must be taken into account are the following:

•It is recommended to perform all backups first and then copy the media.

•During media copying, the media that are being copied are unavailable for restore.

•You can only copy the entire medium, and not specific objects.

•After the copying, the source media that are copied and the copies are marked as non-appendable, which means that you cannot append new backups to these media.

•With scheduled media copying, the necessary devices and media must be available at the scheduled time, otherwise the copy operation will be aborted.

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Further information