Geoff,

For the most part you are correct.  With the NOLIMIT for the "Versions Data"
parms, if you did 100 backups of the file within that 45 days, TSM would keep
all versions VS. if you were to establish a limit.

Remember you have 1 ACTIVE version and potentially multiple IN-ACTIVE (occurs
whenever the file has changed or has been deleted and an icremental backup is
done) versions.   The clock starts ticking on a backup version when it becomes
IN-ACTIVE and is retained for the length of the "Retain Extra Versions"
parameter.

Once the file is deleted, it will keep the last backup for a length of time
specified by the  "Retain Only Version" parameter.  You might even want this to
be specified for a longer period of time since this is your last copy, but that
is based on your needs.

Also to clarify this picture ... you might only have one version of this file
for its entire life.  Thats is if the file was was created on the client and
never change, except for the delete.  Remember a new version (backup) is only
created when the files changes due to incremental only / progressive backup.

Ahhhhhh ... I needed that since I am just getting back into *SM after 2 years of
not using the product.

Others correct me if I missed anything.   Thanks,  Larry






"Gill, Geoffrey L." <GEOFFREY.L.GILL AT SAIC DOT COM> on 03/01/2001 12:21:39 PM

Please respond to "ADSM: Dist Stor Manager" <ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU>

To:   ADSM-L AT VM.MARIST DOT EDU

cc:    (bcc: Larry Girardi/IS/Travelers)
Subject:  Versions of Data




Hello all,

The following backup copy group is defined:
Versions Data Exists NOLIMIT
Versions Data Deleted NOLIMIT
Retain Extra Versions 45
Retain Only Version 45

Please correct me if I am wrong in my assumptions:
With versions data exists and deleted set to NOLIMIT, if I delete a file
from the node TSM will keep all 45 copies for 45 days. After 45 days I will
have 1 copy of the file kept for another 45 days.

Thanks,

Geoff Gill
NT Systems Support Engineer
SAIC
Computer Systems Group
E-Mail:   gillg AT saic DOT com
Phone:  (858) 826-4062
Pager:   (888) 997-9614