Hi all,

I have a need to reduce the amount of tapes I go through, while at the same
time performing more frequent full backups!

Here's my scenerio and my thoughts that I'd like your input on:

I currently backup about 3 TB of data, and it is expected to double by the
end of next year.  Full backups happen weekly or monthly, depending on the
system.  Mostly incremental backups occur between fulls, with a level 5
each weekend on systems that aren't scheduled for a full at that time.

Much of this data currently requires a very long (10 year) retention
policy.  This translates into using many tapes, and not getting to recycle
any (or very few).

The goal is to both reduce the amount of tapes I already go through, but
also perform full backups on all systems every week for better disaster
recovery efficiency.

My thought is this:  Can I perhaps run my full backups with a
browse/retention of only 1 month, but keep my incrementals at a retention
of 10 years?  Even if I remove/recycle a full backup, will Networker
recycle it's tapes (assuming it is on different media) if there are
incremental backups after it?

I know more recent differential backups will keep the fulls around past
retention, due to depencencies, but will incrementals have this
dependency?  If I don't track the backup in the file index (offsite pool
default settings), would this prevent the dependency?

I'd then keep only occasional full backups (maybe once / quarter) for a 10
year retention.


I'm open to anyone's thoughts and suggestions.
Thanks,
Jason

--
Note: To sign off this list, send a "signoff" command via email
to listserv AT listmail.temple DOT edu or visit the list's Web site at
http://listmail.temple.edu/archives/networker.html where you can
also view and post messages to the list.
=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=