Backup Copy. Restore points misunderstand.

[Nudnov]

Hello all.
I have an issue with my Backup Copy jobs, by or company backup retention policy we must to have Backup Copy of all data to remote repository (works find, with no issue), daily copy and 14 day restore point.
But, also we need one more full backup 3 months ago with no incremental backup.
I enabled GFS monthly, for 3 month. And the issue is that now I have 40 points after moth +. It means that after 3 month it will be 90 points! If I understand correctly.
On the online Veeam docs, I didn't find the answer or didn't understand.
Is some one know how to make separated point for long time archive without chain?

Regards,
Aleksei

[Nudnov]

I remember that on the version 9/10 was option to save one full backup for some period that not related to the daily backup chain.

[marina.skobeleva]

Hi Aleksey,

Once you enable GFS policy for Backup Copy Job, the increments are no longer merged to the full backup file. That's why Veeam B&R stores so many restore points.

I would recommend enabling weekly full backups as well as monthly ones. In this case, Weekly GFS cycle will update the backup chain every week which will allow removing excessive increment files.

More details about Long-Term Retention Policy settings and limitations you can find here.

Thanks!

[Nudnov]

Hello.
Thank you for an answer.
When you write - "will allow removing excessive increment files", do you mean remove manually?
But, as I write before, I need one point 3 month ago.

Thanks!
Aleksei.

[marina.skobeleva]

Hi Aleksei,

Product will handle it automatically it based on GFS settings. Enabling weekly full backups will reduce number of restore points, which are required for monthly full backups. The product can mark some of weekly backup by monthly mark, when it's matched with GFS cycle.
But it's not possible to keep only 3-month ago full backup in long-term retention policy, as it's built based in chain.

Thanks.

[Nudnov]

Hi Marina, thank you for an answer.
So, as I can understand, there is no way to save 1 or 2 full backup without chain.
What if someone need save backup for year or 7 year (1 point for 7 year ago, like a finance companies). Create separated tasks with 2 \ 3 restore points and run once a year or half?

Thanks.