Archive Bit

[sulivan1977]

I have a group that processes files after a backup by validating that the Archive bit has been flipped. Is there a way to have Veeam flip the archive bit inside the VM after a successful backup? Weird I know but they are really set on maintaining this old timey practice.


Sully

[Gostev]

Is there a way to have Veeam flip the archive bit inside the VM after a successful backup?

Hi, Sully. Can you please clarify where exactly do you want us to flip the archive bit when you are saying "inside the VM"? On every single file in the guest file system? There could be millions of those, so this may take a loooong time...

[sulivan1977]

On all the files in a backed up vmdk. If it could be just a folder that would work too.

[Gostev]

I see. Currently, there is no such capability (and frankly speaking, this is the first request in 6 years). Image level backup is designed to process each and every file, so if VM backup was created successfully, every file will be backed up. You are right that this is weird request in terms of image-level backup.

What do they need this for? Perhaps there are other, more modern ways to achieve the same.

[sulivan1977]

They have a process that runs each night automatically currently. It validates the archive bit of the soon to be changed data is flipped before it starts making changes. Basically its the system making sure it can revert if something blows up. Its large so it doing its own copies is kind of not an option.

[tsightler]

You could run a post-job script that set the bit on those files.

[BBB-OZ]

Hello,

we're currently using Veeam B&R 8 to backup our VMs. We also want to implement another backup solution specifically for the OS's on the VMs. Our intention is to use Mozy Pro to perform incremental backups based on the archive bit.

My question is will Veeam B&R modify the archive bit in anyway that would have any adverse effects regarding said OS backups?

[HJAdams123]

Veeam does not use the archive bit. And a Veeam backup would not affect the archive bit one way or the other. Only Windows applications and users would affect the archive bit.

[foggy]

Correct, Veeam B&R does an image-level backup, so does not touch files inside of the guest OS of the backed up VM.