Why do I have more backup files than the ones I want to keep

[peyoga]

Please take a look at the following:

This is my backup configuration:


These are my current backup files generated by Veeam:


Something doesn't add up...

I just want to keep the last 7 backup of files, why do I have so much more than that?

[DGrinev]

Hi peyoga,

That's expected behavior, since periodic monthly full has been enabled.
You have two options to achieve what you're after:
1. Turn off periodic active full, so the job will follow Forever Forward Incremental backup mode rules.
2. Switch to weekly active fulls, in this case the job will work in a Forward Incremental backup mode and you will have 14 RPs max. Thanks!

[peyoga]

Ok, thanks for the clarification

[ThomasR]

Hi peyoga,

That's expected behavior, since periodic monthly full has been enabled.
You have two options to achieve what you're after:
1. Turn off periodic active full, so the job will follow Forever Forward Incremental backup mode rules.
2. Switch to weekly active fulls, in this case the job will work in a Forward Incremental backup mode and you will have 14 RPs max. Thanks!

Hi,

why does it work like that though? I would expect with monthly full backups that outdatet restore points get merged with newer ones (just like with forever forward incremental).
The first solution (Turn off periodic active full) is risky because the whole backup chain depends on the first full backup, which could be years old and maybe broken. (since Veeam doesnt have a verification function its even more risky)
The second solution weekly active fulls would result in a lot of writes on the backup destination (for example an external HDD), especially if you have to backup multiple terabytes.

[ThomasR]

I just disabled the active full backup and ran the backup process but it still didnt delete old backups:
https://imgur.com/a/QgfTxjC

[DGrinev]

Hey Thomas,

I can see you have a full backup from 22.08 and 4 days of increments, so the increment from the 24.08 will be merged into the full when the backup chain exceeds 5 days of backup files as it states in the retention policy.

I would expect with monthly full backups that outdatet restore points get merged with newer ones (just like with forever forward incremental).

When you enable periodic active full, the merge process becomes disabled. The outdated restore points will be erased only after delivery of new full backup with a number of RPs you've set.

(since Veeam doesnt have a verification function its even more risky)

It's on the roadmap for further versions. Thanks!