Index From Snapshot operation in an SLP
The Index From Snapshot operation indexes the contents of existing snapshots. When NetBackup indexes a snapshot, it creates an image .f file in the NetBackup catalog for each snapshot. The presence of an image .f file assists the user when a file needs to be restored from the snapshot, as described in Table: Restore operations.
The Backup From Snapshot operation also creates an image .f file. An Index from Snapshot may not be required if a Backup From Snapshot occurs frequently enough for the restore needs in your environment. For example, if the Backup From Snapshot runs once per week but file restores are required daily, consider using the Index from Snapshot.
The actual restore of the snapshot requires that the snapshot be mounted, regardless of whether an Index from Snapshot has been performed or not.
Table: Restore operations
Type of restore | Where performed | Description | Requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
Live browse restore |
| The user navigates the directory structure to locate and select the files for restore. | No .f file needs to be present in the NetBackup catalog. During a live browse restore, NetBackup automatically mounts the snapshot so that the user can see what files it contains. Mounting and unmounting the snapshot can be time-consuming. |
Search for restore (Also referred to as a Simplified File Restore or an Operational Restore) | NetBackup OpsCenter Console |
| The .f file must be present in the NetBackup catalog. |
Table: Index From Snapshot operation characteristics
Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
Storage unit selection | The Index From Snapshot operation does not write data to a storage unit. However, a storage unit selection is needed to select the media server that to be used to access the snapshot. As a best practice, use the storage unit from the Snapshot or Replication operation that is the source for this operation. |
Child of | When an Index From Snapshot operation appears in an SLP, it must be the child of a Snapshot or Replication operation. Therefore, click on either a Snapshot or a Replication operation in the SLP when adding an Index From Snapshot operation. |
Source for | While an Index From Snapshot operation cannot be the source for any operation, a Replication operation can follow it. |
Hierarchy notes | The Index From Snapshot operation can consume system resources and requires that each snapshot be mounted to create the .f file. See Determining where and when the Index From Snapshot operation occurs. |
Job type | An Index From Snapshot operation generates an Index From Snapshot job in the Activity Monitor. |
Window | An SLP window can be created for an Index From Snapshot operation. |
Consider the following items before using the Index From Snapshot operation:
The Index From Snapshot operation is supported only in a Replication Director configuration.
Standard, MS-Windows, NDMP, and VMware backup policy types support the use of storage lifecycle policies that contain the Index From Snapshot operation.
The Index From Snapshot operation can run from a full or an incremental schedule. The file entries that are added to the .f file for either schedule are the full set of files since all files can be restored from that snapshot. To do so allows for the most efficient restore, however, more space is consumed in the NetBackup catalog by the .f file.