SKIP_RESTORE_TO_SYMLINK_DIR option for NetBackup servers

The SKIP_RESTORE_TO_SYMLINK_DIR option forces NetBackup to check all directories on a UNIX client into which files are restored. If the file to be restored is under a symbolically linked directory, NetBackup does not restore the file.

Table: SKIP_RESTORE_TO_SYMLINK_DIR information

Usage	Description
Where to use	On NetBackup master servers.
How to use	This option should appear only once in the configuration file. For example, if the UNIX client requests a restore for /home/user/.cshrc and /home/user is a symbolic link, NetBackup does not restore .cshrc. The addition of SKIP_RESTORE_TO_SYMLINK_DIR helps minimize potential security and data loss problems if the restore is performed with root permissions. Without SKIP_RESTORE_TO_SYMLINK_DIR in the bp.conf file, NetBackup follows any symbolically linked directories and restores files to that location. Note: Restore job performance is reduced by using this option. SKIP_RESTORE_TO_SYMLINK_DIR and UNLINK_ON_OVERWRITE do not affect each other if both are specified, with one exception: When the following options are enabled: Overwrite existing files option SKIP_RESTORE_TO_SYMLINK_DIR UNLINK_ON_OVERWRITE Then, when a restore job comes across a symbolic link, the link is unlinked before the job checks, and the files and directory are restored. For example, /home/user/ is backed up as a directory and, when restored, it is a symbolic link to a directory. These settings have the following outcomes: With SKIP_RESTORE_TO_SYMLINK_DIR set (and Overwrite existing files indicated), no files are restored into the directory the symbolic link points to, and the symbolic link remains. With both UNLINK_ON_OVERWRITE and SKIP_RESTORE_TO_SYMLINK_DIR (and Overwrite existing files indicated), the symbolic link directory is unlinked, the original directory is restored, and all files within the directory are also restored. With neither option set (and Overwrite existing files indicated), NetBackup follows the symbolic link and restore all files into the directory to which the symbolic link points.
Equivalent Administration Console property	NetBackup Management > Host Properties > Master Servers > Double-click on server > Port Ranges > Server reserved port window. See Port Ranges properties.

Usage

Description

Where to use

On NetBackup master servers.

How to use

This option should appear only once in the configuration file.

For example, if the UNIX client requests a restore for /home/user/.cshrc and /home/user is a symbolic link, NetBackup does not restore .cshrc.

The addition of SKIP_RESTORE_TO_SYMLINK_DIR helps minimize potential security and data loss problems if the restore is performed with root permissions. Without SKIP_RESTORE_TO_SYMLINK_DIR in the bp.conf file, NetBackup follows any symbolically linked directories and restores files to that location.

Note:

Restore job performance is reduced by using this option.

SKIP_RESTORE_TO_SYMLINK_DIR and UNLINK_ON_OVERWRITE do not affect each other if both are specified, with one exception:

When the following options are enabled:

Overwrite existing files option
SKIP_RESTORE_TO_SYMLINK_DIR
UNLINK_ON_OVERWRITE

Then, when a restore job comes across a symbolic link, the link is unlinked before the job checks, and the files and directory are restored.

For example, /home/user/ is backed up as a directory and, when restored, it is a symbolic link to a directory.

These settings have the following outcomes:

With SKIP_RESTORE_TO_SYMLINK_DIR set (and Overwrite existing files indicated), no files are restored into the directory the symbolic link points to, and the symbolic link remains.
With both UNLINK_ON_OVERWRITE and SKIP_RESTORE_TO_SYMLINK_DIR (and Overwrite existing files indicated), the symbolic link directory is unlinked, the original directory is restored, and all files within the directory are also restored.
With neither option set (and Overwrite existing files indicated), NetBackup follows the symbolic link and restore all files into the directory to which the symbolic link points.

Equivalent Administration Console property

NetBackup Management > Host Properties > Master Servers > Double-click on server > Port Ranges > Server reserved port window.

See Port Ranges properties.

SKIP_RESTORE_TO_SYMLINK_DIR option for NetBackup servers

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