Use the Retention Periods properties to define a duration for each retention level. Retention periods are specified in policy schedules to determine how long NetBackup retains the backups or archives.

The Retention Periods properties apply to selected master servers.

By default, NetBackup stores each backup on a volume that already contains backups at the same retention level. However, NetBackup does not check the retention period that is defined for that level. When the retention period for a level is redefined, it can result in some backups that have different retention periods sharing the same volume.

For example, if the retention level 3 is changed from 1 month to 6 months, NetBackup stores future level 3 backups on the same volumes. That is, the backups are placed on the volumes with the level 3 backups that have a retention period of one month.

No problem exists if the new and the old retention periods are of similar values. However, before a major change is made to a retention period, suspend the volumes that were previously used for that retention level.

See Determining retention periods for volumes.

See Suspending or unsuspending volumes.

The following topics describe the Retention Periods host properties.