Symantec Backup Exec

Enable single instance backup for NTFS volumes

Displays only if you use the Microsoft Windows Single Instance Store (SIS) feature. Single instance backup checks the NTFS volume for identical files. If Backup Exec finds multiple copies of a file, it only backs up one instance of that file, regardless of how many SIS links reference it.

Single instance backup can considerably reduce the storage space that is required for your backups. Many applications automatically generate files that have identical content. The actual amount of space you save depends on the number of duplicate files on the volume.

Back up files and directories by following junction points

Backs up the information for the junction points and the files and directories to which they are linked. If this check box is not selected, then only the information for the junction points is backed up; the files and directories to which they are linked are not backed up.

Backup Exec does not follow junction points automatically created by Microsoft Windows Vista/Server 2008 because it can cause the data to be backed up repeatedly.

For more information, see the following Symantec Knowledge Base article:

http://entsupport.symantec.com/umi/V-269-9

Since Mounted Drives that do not have a drive letter assigned to them cannot be selected, the files and directories to which they are linked are backed up regardless of whether this option is selected.

If this option is selected and the actual files and directories to which the junction points are linked are also included in the backup selections, then the files and directories are backed up twice; once during the full file and directory backup, and again via the junction point.

Back up files and directories by following symbolic links

Backs up the information for the symbolic links and the files and directories to which they are linked.

If you do not select this option, only the information for the symbolic links is backed up. The files and directories to which they are linked are not backed up.

If the symbolic link points to files and directories on a remote computer, the files and directories on the remote computer are not backed up.

Back up data in Remote Storage

Backs up data that has been migrated from primary storage to secondary storage. The data is not recalled to its original location; it is backed up directly to the backup media.

If this option is selected, you should not run a backup of your entire system because Backup Exec has to load the data that has been migrated to secondary storage and additional time is required for any set that includes migrated data.

If this check box is cleared, only the placeholder that stores the location of the data on secondary storage will be backed up, not the data itself.

This option should not be selected if the device used for secondary storage and backups contains only one drive because Remote Storage and Backup Exec will compete for use of the drive.

Set Remote Agent priority

Allows you to select the number of CPU cycles the media server will use to maintain optimal server performance while Remote Agent backups are running. The higher the priority, the more the protected server’s CPU processing power is used during backup operations.

Allocating fewer CPU cycles to a backup job may result in slower backup performance.

Never

Skips open files if they are encountered during the backup operation. A listing of skipped files appears in the job log for the backup.

If closed within x seconds

Waits the specified time interval for files to close before skipping the open file and continuing the backup operation.

If the file does not close during the specified interval, it is skipped. A listing of skipped files appears in the job log for the backup.

If multiple files are open, Backup Exec waits the specified time interval for each file; depending on the number of open files, this may significantly increase the backup time.

With a lock

Attempts to open files that are in use. If Backup Exec is able to open a file, the file is locked while it is
being backed up to prevent other processes from writing to it. Backing up open files is not as effective as closing applications and allowing the files to be backed up in a consistent state.

Without a lock

Attempts to open files that are in use. If Backup Exec is able to open the file, the file is NOT locked while it is being backed up. This allows other applications to write data to the file during the backup operation.