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Demz's avatar
Demz
Level 4
11 years ago
Solved

Backing up Backup Exec Dedup Storage Folder

I have BE 2012 installed and it's using disk storage (nas connected via iscsi) with dedup enabled (data stored in D:\BackupExecDeduplicationStorageFolder). I'm planning to completely uninstall this BE 2012 and free up that space used for backups. But there might be a change that I need to recover something from these old backups later.

Is possible to copy the contents of  D:\BackupExecDeduplicationStorageFolder to another disk (with robocopy) and use BE 2014 to restore data from there if needed?

2012
Backing Up
Backup and Recovery
Backup Exec
Uninstall
Windows Server (2003-2008)
  • CraigV's avatar
    CraigV
    11 years ago

    Hi,

     

    Never just backup the dedupe folder or copy the contents. You will definitely mess up the catalogs.

    Rather put in a stage to duplicate data. If you duplicate to another B2D/tape then data will be rehydrated.

    Thanks!

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  • CraigV's avatar
    CraigV
    Moderator
    11 years ago

    Hi,

     

    Never just backup the dedupe folder or copy the contents. You will definitely mess up the catalogs.

    Rather put in a stage to duplicate data. If you duplicate to another B2D/tape then data will be rehydrated.

    Thanks!

  • Demz's avatar
    Demz
    Level 4
    11 years ago

    Thanks! Good that I asked before doing anything ;)

  • CraigV's avatar
    CraigV
    Moderator
    11 years ago

    ...unless you're duplicating the dedupe folder, and for that matter, a B2D too, it's going to render your ability to restore completely.

    Thanks!

  • maurijo's avatar
    maurijo
    Level 6
    11 years ago

    FYI, If you duplicate it then you will need lots more storage then the dedupe was...since data is rehydrated it will be in pre dedupe state.

  • Demz's avatar
    Demz
    Level 4
    11 years ago

    OK, good to know! Will it dedupe it after duplication?

  • CraigV's avatar
    CraigV
    Moderator
    11 years ago

    ...it depends. When duplicating to a tape or normal B2D, then the data is rehydrated.

    if duplicated to another dedupe folder on, say, another server, then it is duplicated in deduped format. You'd need a second media server with CASO (Enterprise Server Option) and optimized dedupe configured.

    Thanks!

  • VJware's avatar
    VJware
    Level 6
    11 years ago

    Nopes, if running the Duplicate to a non-DeDupe device (such as tape or a regular disk), the data will be rehydrated (and not DeDuped again) and will be stored as it is on the device.

    An alternative to the Duplicate method as suggested above is to back up the DeDupe folder directly from Backup Exec and the method is outlined in the 1st part of this KB - http://www.symantec.com/business/support/index?page=content&id=TECH187911

  • Demz's avatar
    Demz
    Level 4
    11 years ago

    Ok. I just want to backup this storage folder if for some reason I would need to be able to restore some data from it in near future. I will duplicate it to another external disk and it's ok if i loose dedup benefits.

  • maurijo's avatar
    maurijo
    Level 6
    11 years ago

    Wait let me clear this up. If you duplicate a backup set from your dedup to any other storage it will NOT be in dedupe state. It will be back in normal format.