Advanced options for backup jobs

To set Advanced options, such as open file options, for backup jobs or backup job templates, on the Properties pane, under Settings, click Advanced.

This dialog box includes the following options:

Table: Advanced options for backup job

Item

Description

Enable single instance backup for NTFS volumes

This option is only available if you use the Microsoft Windows Single Instance Store (SIS) feature. Single instance backup checks the NTFS volume for identical files. If Backup Exec finds multiple copies of a file, it only backs up one instance of that file, regardless of how many SIS links reference it.

Single instance backup can considerably reduce the storage space that is required for your backups. Many applications automatically generate files that have identical content. The actual amount of space you save depends on the number of duplicate files on the volume.

Warning:

If the backup job does not run to completion, the file data may not be included in the backup set. Rerun the backup until it is successfully completed. If the incremental backup method was used, running the job again will not back up the same files. You must run a full or copy backup to ensure that all files are backed up completely. If the 'incremental - using modified time' backup method was used, running the same backup job to completion will back up the files correctly.

Back up files and directories by following junction points

Select this check box to back up the information for the junction points and the files and directories to which they are linked. If this check box is not selected, then only the information for the junction points is backed up; the files and directories to which they are linked are not backed up.

Backup Exec does not follow junction points automatically created by Microsoft Windows Vista/Server 2008 because it can cause the data to be backed up repeatedly.

For more information, see the following Symantec Knowledge Base article:

http://entsupport.symantec.com/umi/V-269-9

Since Mounted Drives that do not have a drive letter assigned to them cannot be selected, the files and directories to which they are linked are backed up regardless of whether this option is selected.

If this option is selected and the actual files and directories to which the junction points are linked are also included in the backup selections, then the files and directories are backed up twice; once during the full file and directory backup, and again via the junction point.

Warning:

If a junction point is linked to a location that encompasses it, then recursion (a situation where data is backed up repeatedly) will occur, resulting in an error and job failure. For example, if c:\junctionpoint is linked to c:\, recursion will occur when attempting to back up c:\junctionpoint, and the backup job will fail.

Back up files and directories by following symbolic links

Select this option to back up the information for the symbolic links and the files and directories to which they are linked.

If you do not select this option, only the information for the symbolic links is backed up. The files and directories to which they are linked are not backed up.

If the symbolic link points to files and directories on a remote computer, the files and directories on the remote computer are not backed up.

Back up data in Remote Storage

Select this check box to back up data that has been migrated from primary storage to secondary storage. The data is not recalled to its original location; it is backed up directly to the backup media.

If this option is selected, you should not run a backup of your entire system because Backup Exec has to load the data that has been migrated to secondary storage and additional time is required for any set that includes migrated data.

If this check box is cleared, only the placeholder that stores the location of the data on secondary storage will be backed up, not the data itself.

This option should not be selected if the device used for secondary storage and backups contains only one drive because Remote Storage and Backup Exec will compete for use of the drive.

Set Remote Agent priority

This option allows you to select the number of CPU cycles the media server will use to maintain optimal server performance while Remote Agent backups are running. The higher the priority, the more the protected server's CPU processing power is used during backup operations.

Allocating fewer CPU cycles to a backup job may result in slower backup performance.

This field contains the following options:

  • Normal Priority. Select this option to allocate the default number of CPU cycles the protected server will use during a Remote Agent backup.

  • Below Normal Priority. Select this option to allocate fewer server CPU cycles to the backup job.

  • Lowest Priority. Select this option to allocate the fewest number of CPU cycles to the backup job.

Never

Select this option to have Backup Exec skip open files if they are encountered during the backup operation. A listing of skipped files appears in the job log for the backup.

If closed within x seconds

Select this option to have Backup Exec wait the specified time interval for files to close before skipping the open file and continuing the backup operation.

If the file does not close during the specified interval, it is skipped. A listing of skipped files appears in the job log for the backup.

If multiple files are open, Backup Exec waits the specified time interval for each file; depending on the number of open files, this may significantly increase the backup time.

With a lock

Select this option to have Backup Exec attempt to open files that are in use. If Backup Exec is able to open a file, the file is locked while it is being backed up to prevent other processes from writing to it. Backing up open files is not as effective as closing applications and allowing the files to be backed up in a consistent state.

Without a lock

Select this option to have Backup Exec attempt to open files that are in use. If Backup Exec is able to open the file, the file is NOT locked while it is being backed up. This allows other applications to write data to the file during the backup operation.

Warning:

This option allows files that contain inconsistent data and possibly corrupt data to be backed up.

Allow managed media server to use any network interface to access remote agents

This option displays only if you have the Central Admin Server Option installed. Select this option to enable a job that is delegated or copied to a managed media server to use any network interface to access remote agents. By default, jobs that are delegated or copied to a managed media server from the central administration server use the network and security settings that are set on the managed media server. If the network specified on the managed media server is unavailable, selecting this check box enables the managed media server to use an alternate network to run important jobs.

To back up the Removable Storage database in the \Ntmsdata subdirectory, the WMI repository in the wbem\Repository subdirectory, and the Terminal Services database in the default \LServer subdirectory, select the <Systemroot>\System32 directory. Files that you place in the Systemroot\System32\Ntmsdata subdirectory, the \wbem\Repository subdirectory, or the default \LServer subdirectory may not be backed up; only system files are included in the backup. It is recommended that you do not place user files in the Systemroot\System32 directory or subdirectories.

More Information

Creating a backup job by setting job properties

Setting defaults for the Advanced Open File Option for backup jobs