Recommendations for using backup-to-disk folders with backup jobs that use Granular Recovery Technology

The following recommendations help ensure that you do not run out of space for the backups that use Granular Recovery Technology (GRT):

Table: Recommendations for using backup-to-disk folders with GRT operations

Recommendation

Description

Create a separate backup-to-disk folder specifically for all GRT-enabled backup jobs

You must manage the media that is created by GRT-enabled jobs differently than other backup-to-disk media because of the IMG files. For best results, you should create a separate backup-to-disk folder specifically for all GRT-enabled backup jobs.

Select the specific backup-to-disk folder you want to use for GRT-enabled backup jobs

You should specifically select the backup-to-disk folder that you want to use when you create GRT-enabled jobs. If you do not change the default device setting of All Devices you could accidentally send your GRT job to a tape.

Do not allocate the maximum size for backup-to-disk files

If you select the Allocate the maximum size when creating the backup-to-disk file option, Backup Exec creates a backup-to-disk file that is as large as the size that you specified. Since GRT information is stored in IMG media, the backup-to-disk file does not hold backup data. The extra space that the backup-to-disk file occupies can often lead to failed jobs because of low disk space.

See Creating a backup-to-disk folder.

Calculate your disk space requirements carefully before you assign a low disk space threshold

The low disk space threshold is the amount of free space on the drive at which Backup Exec suspends backup operations to the backup-to-disk folder. If you assign a low disk space threshold to the backup-to-disk folder, you may avoid using all of the available disk space.

You should be careful with low disk space thresholds. The amount you specify as a low disk space threshold is unavailable to Backup Exec for backup-to-disk backups. If you create a large threshold for low disk space, you may quickly run out of disk space. Be aware of your low disk space threshold before you run backup jobs.

You should consider the low disk space threshold when you calculate the total amount of space available to a backup-to-disk folder. Remember to also consider any other data that exists on the volume. As the amount of other data that is contained on the volume increases, the amount of space available to the backup-to-disk folder decreases.

See Configuring advanced options for a backup-to-disk folder.

Do not fill up a drive that hosts a backup-to-disk folder that is used for GRT operations

When you calculate the total amount of available space on a volume, remember to consider the size of any other data that resides on it. This amount can include other backup-to-disk files or data from other applications.

If the drive fills up or if the low disk space threshold is met, you have to reclaim disk space to run backup jobs.

More Information

Creating a backup-to-disk folder

Configuring advanced options for a backup-to-disk folder

How to restore individual items by using Granular Recovery Technology

How to reclaim disk space for backup jobs that use Granular Recovery Technology

Requirements for creating a backup-to-disk folder