Retention of Dependent Image Files

It's important to understand how ImageManager file retention works before configuring your retention policy.

Important: In some cases ImageManager may keep backup image files longer than the amount of time specified in the retention settings if those files are needed for other operations.

Dependent image file retention schedule

C_VOL-b001-i026-cw.spi 6th June 2014 (First -cw file created)

C_VOL-b001-i052-cw.spi 13th June 2014 (Second -cw file created)

C_VOL-b001-i078-cw.spi 20th June 2014 (Third -cw file created)

C_VOL-b001-i104-cw.spi 27th June 2014 (Last -cw file created)

C_VOL-b001-i104-cm.spi 30th June 2014 (Consolidated file created)

All dependent -cw files are kept until 30 days after the last -cw file was created.

This means the following dependent files would be deleted on 27th July, which is 30 days after the last -cw file was created (27th June 2014).

C_VOL-b001-i026-cw.spi 6th June 2014

C_VOL-b001-i052-cw.spi 13th June 2014

C_VOL-b001-i078-cw.spi 20th June 2014

C_VOL-b001-i104-cw.spi 27th June 2014

To configure the retention policy

  1. Double-Click Retention (or right-click and select Properties) below the managed folder or subfolder of a Backup Store. You can also right-click on any Backup Store, Managed Folder or subfolder, select Properties and then select the Retention Tab.
  2. Select Override retention settings for this managed folder.
  3. Select Automatically clean up backup image files in this managed folder.
  4. Select the retention settings for this managed folder and click Save.
  5. Note: If the retention settings for this managed folder change, but the Override retention setttings for this managed folder box is not checked, the Backup Store or global retention settings still apply.

    6. Keep Intra-daily image files

    (Default: 7 days) The minimum number of days ImageManager keeps intra-daily incremental backup image files after they have been rolled up into a daily consolidation. If the files are not required for another operation ImageManager deletes them after the specified number of days. To keep the backup images, implement a replication procedure to save them to another system.

    Keep consolidated daily image files (-cd)

    (Default: 15 days) The minimum number of days ImageManager keeps daily consolidated backup image files, plus the time required for weekly consolidation files to be created (if they are dependent on consolidated weekly files). If the files are not required for another operation ImageManager deletes the source image files unless you choose to keep them. (See "Move Consolidated Image Files to a Subdirectory" later in this section.)

    Keep consolidated weekly image files (-cw)

    (Default: 90 days) The minimum number of days ImageManager keeps weekly consolidated backup image files, plus the time required for monthly consolidation files to be created (if they are dependent on the monthly files). If the files are not required for another operation, ImageManager deletes in the daily files as defined in the "Move Consolidated daily and weekly image files" setting.

    Cleanup consolidated monthly image files (-cm)

    (Default: not selected) This setting lets you clean up consolidated monthly image files after a specified period of time to further save storage space.

    Keep consolidated monthly image files

    (Default: 12 months) This is the minimum number of months ImageManager keeps monthly consolidated backup image files. This is the retention setting for rolling consolidation.

    Move consolidated daily and weekly image files to a subdirectory

    (Default: Enabled) Following consolidation, ImageManager can move the source backup image files into the incrementals subdirectory (inside the managed folder) instead of deleting them. This requires more storage space because ImageManager keeps both the consolidated and the source incremental files. Images moved into the incrementals folder become orphans and are no longer associated with the full image or chain.

Warning! Do not attempt to restore files from the incrementals folder.

Important! In some cases ImageManager may keep backup image files longer than the amount of time specified in the retention settings IF those files are needed for other operations.