To configure a storage lifecycle policy to manage snapshot-based backups for Instant Recovery

1. Create a lifecycle policy with two or more storage destinations.

   Use the Storage > Storage Lifecycle Policies node of the NetBackup Administration Console. Click Actions > New > Storage Lifecycle Policies. Click Add.

   • For snapshots, select Snapshot on the New Storage Destination dialog. You can specify a retention period appropriate for snapshots (such as two weeks). Click OK.

   • For backup copies to disk, select Backup on the New Storage Destination dialog. Specify a disk storage unit and a longer retention period (such as six months). Click OK.

   • For backup copies to tape, select Duplication on the New Storage Destination dialog. Specify a tape storage unit and a longer retention period (such as five years). Click OK and finish creating the lifecycle policy.

2. Create a policy for snapshots. (Use the Policies node of the Administration Console.)

   On the policy Attributes tab:

   • You can specify the lifecycle policy in the Policy storage unit / lifecycle policy field. You can later change the lifecycle policy in the schedule, as explained later in this procedure.

   • Select Perform snapshot backups.

   • On the Snapshot Options dialog box, the Maximum Snapshots (Instant Recovery only) parameter sets the maximum number of snapshots to be retained at one time. When the maximum is reached, the next snapshot causes the oldest job-complete snapshot to be deleted.

     A snapshot is considered to be job complete once all its configured dependent copies (for example, Backup from Snapshot, Index, Replication) are complete.

     Note that if you also set a snapshot retention period of less than infinity in the lifecycle policy, the snapshot is expired when either of these settings takes effect (whichever happens first). For example, if the Maximum Snapshots value is exceeded before the snapshot retention period that is specified in the lifecycle policy, the snapshot is deleted.

     The same is true for the Snapshot Resources pane on the Snapshot Options dialog box. If the snapshot method requires snapshot resources, the maximum number of snapshots is determined by the number of devices that are specified in the Snapshot Device(s) field. For example, if two devices are specified, only two snapshots can be retained at a time. Either the Snapshot Device(s) field or the snapshot retention period in the lifecycle policy can determine the retention period.

     Policy validation fails if there is a mismatch of retention found on the snapshot. For example, if the Maximum Snapshots (Instant Recovery only) parameter is set to any value other than Managed by SLP and the SLP used in the same policy has Fixed retention for the Snapshot job the policy validation fails. If you have such a policy configured on a pre- 7.6 NetBackup master server, it is advisable that you validate and correct the policy after you upgrade to a NetBackup 8.2 master server.

3. Create a schedule for the policy.

   You can create a single schedule for backups and let the lifecycle policy govern their destinations and retention periods, as follows:

   • Under Destination, if you selected Retain snapshots for Instant Recovery and SLP management on the policy Attributes tab, make sure that Snapshots and copy snapshots to a storage unit is selected on the schedule (not Snapshots only).

     Important: if you select Snapshots only on the schedule, a lifecycle policy cannot be used.

   • In the Override policy storage selection field, select the lifecycle policy that you created in 1.

   • Under Schedule type, set an appropriate frequency, such as 1 day.

   When the Snapshot Client policy executes this schedule, the lifecycle policy named in the Override policy storage selection field creates images on the destinations that are named in the lifecycle policy. The lifecycle policy also sets the retention periods for the images it creates. In this example, the retention is six months for backups to disk and five years for tape.