About the two staging methods

NetBackup offers the following methods to stage backups:

Basic disk staging

Basic disk staging consists of two stages. First, data is stored on the initial storage unit (disk staging storage unit). Then, per a configurable relocation schedule, data is copied to the final location. Having the images on the final destination storage unit frees the space on the disk staging storage unit as needed.

The following storage unit types are available for basic disk staging: BasicDisk, NearStore, and tape.
Staging using the Storage Lifecycle Policies utility

Staged backups that are configured within the Storage Lifecycle Policies utility also consist of two stages: Data on the staging storage unit is copied to a final destination, however, the data is not copied per a specific schedule. Instead, the administrator can configure the data to remain on the storage unit until either a fixed retention period is met, or until the disk needs additional space, or until the data is duplicated to the final location.

No BasicDisk, SnapVault, or disk staging storage units can be used as destinations in a lifecycle.

The staging method that is used is determined in the policy Attributes tab. The Policy storage unit/lifecycle selection determines whether the backup goes to a storage unit or a lifecycle.

Note:

Symantec recommends that a disk partition or file system be dedicated to any disk storage unit that is used for staging. Dedicated space allows the disk staging space management logic to operate successfully.