Backup Copy Job - too many files?

[Trin]

I have a backup copy job running which is set to keep 2 restore points plus 4 weekly and 12 monthly backup files.

While the weekly and monthly files are fine, I'm surprised to see the job keeping 5 restore points (.vib files) per week which are also not automatically deleted.

I was expecting to see a bunch of _W.vbk files, the occasional _M.vbk and only 2 .vib files which were on rotation.

How does the "Restore points to keep: 2" tie up with the number of files I'm seeing?
(Bonus question: I'm presuming once it gets to the 5th weekly, it will automatically delete the 1st along with its associated .vib files...?)

Many thanks

[DGrinev]

Hi,

It seems like you've selected check box called "Read the entire restore point from source backup instead of synthesizing it from increments".
This way backup copy job is using the forward incremental backup method, which means it would create .vibs until weekly full followed by 1 .vib appears.

So by the end of the week you should have 1 vbk and 6 vibs, then the job will create new vbk and completely delete previous chain on the next day when another .vib will be created. Thanks!

[Trin]

I do indeed have that check box ticked.

What will be the resulting change in file creation after I turn it off?

Thanks

[DGrinev]

You will get one .vbk followed by one .vib as by turning it off the copy job will be switched to the Forever Forward incremental method. Thanks!

[Trin]

Got it, thanks!

[Trin]

So after having changed to the forever forward incremental method, the .vbk files no longer have the "..._W." or "..._M." identifier at the end of the name.

Why is this?

Thanks

[DGrinev]

Hi,

Since you've switched to forever forward and set retention to 2 restore points .vbk file move one day forward through the week, so it will be marked as weekly/monthly/else on the day predefined in GFS retention policy.

[Trin]

That's what I was expecting but although the GFK is set to create a weekly on Sun, last weekend's left it without the _W.

[DGrinev]

Did you check if there is a GFS mark on the recent .vbk by viewing backup copy properties?

[Trin]

I wasn't aware of that particular information window but as it happens, Sunday's weekly has been labelled with a _W this morning, now that the daily .vbk has rolled on.
Many thanks.