HP B6960-96035, Concepts Manual

Page: 147 / 422

Media management during backup sessions
What happens during backup?
During a backup session, Data Protector automatically selects media for backup and
keeps track of which data is backed up to which media. This simplifies management
of media so that the operator does not need to know exactly which data was backed
up to which media. Backup objects that have been backed up within the same backup
session represent a media set.
This section provides the following information:
• How Data Protector selects media for backup
• How full and incremental backups are added to the media
• How the condition of media is calculated
For related information, see the following sections:
• “ Full and incremental backups ” on page 71
• “ Media pools ” on page 135
Selecting media for backups
Data Protector automatically selects media for backup based on media allocation
policies. This simplifies media management and media handling; a backup operator
does not need to manually administer the media for backup.
Media allocation policy
You can influence how media are selected for backup using the media allocation
policy. You can specify a loose policy, where any suitable medium is used for backup,
including new, blank media or a strict policy, where media must be available in a
predefined order to facilitate balanced media usage. Additionally, you can use a
pre-allocation list.
Pre-allocating media
Data Protector allows you to explicitly specify media from a media pool that you
want to use for a backup using a pre-allocation list. Combine this list with the strict
media allocation policy. In this case, the media are used in the exact order as
specified. If media are not found in this order, Data Protector issues a mount request.
Concepts guide 147