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What is a NetBackup catalog?
NetBackup catalogs are the internal databases that contain information about NetBackup backups and configuration. Backup information includes records of the files that have been backed up and the media on which the files are stored. The catalogs also contain information about the media and the storage devices.
Since NetBackup requires the catalog information to restore backups, configure a catalog backup before using NetBackup for regular client backups. Then, schedule the catalog backups to occur on a regular basis thereafter. Without regular catalog backups, you risk losing regular backups if there is a problem with the disk that contains the catalogs.
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In order for NetBackup to restore any file, NetBackup needs information from the catalog to determine where the backup for the file is located. Without a catalog, NetBackup cannot restore data.
Because the catalog plays an integral part in a NetBackup environment, a particular type of backup--a catalog backup--protects the catalog. A catalog backup backs up catalog-specific data as well as produces disaster recovery information.
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This T/N may be of use:
Listing of Veritas NetBackup (tm) 6.5 and 6.5.x Manuals and links to the respective TechNotes ...