Recommended devices for backups that use Granular Recovery Technology

Symantec recommends that you select a backup-to-disk folder on a volume that does not have file size limitations as the destination for backups that are enabled for Granular Recovery Technology (GRT). An NTFS drive is an example of a volume without file size limitations. Some examples of volumes that have file size limitations include FAT and FAT32 volumes.

If you must use a backup-to-disk folder on a volume with file size limitations, Backup Exec requires a staging location. Backup Exec temporarily stores a small amount of metadata in the staging location during the backup job. It deletes the data from the staging location when the backup is finished. The staging location is not necessary, however, if you use a backup-to-disk folder on a volume without file size limitations as the destination.

The staging location’s default path is C:\temp.

The volume that is used for a staging location for backup jobs should meet the following requirements:

  • It is local to the media server

  • It does not have any file size limitations

Additionally, Symantec recommends the following to avoid disk space problems:

  • It should not be a system volume

  • It should have at least 1 GB of available space

You can change the default staging location with the other default backup options.

See Setting default backup options.

Backup Exec also uses a staging location to restore GRT-enabled data from a tape or from a backup-to-disk folder on a volume with file size limitations. The staging location must be on a volume that does not have file size limitations and is local to the media server. The staging location is not necessary if you restore GRT-enabled data from a backup-to-disk folder on a volume without file size limitations, such as NTFS.

Backup Exec uses the staging area differently for the following types of restores:

Table: Staging processes

Location of data to be restored

Staging process

Tape

Backup Exec copies the entire backup set or sets to the staging area. The staging area must have enough disk space for the entire backup set or sets from which you want to restore an individual item.

Before you use a tape device for a GRT-enabled backup, ensure that sufficient disk space is available to perform a restore.

Backup Exec deletes the data from the staging area when the restore job is complete.

Backup-to-disk folder that is on a volume with file size limitations (such as FAT or FAT32)

Backup Exec must copy a small amount of metadata that is associated with the backup set to the staging area to complete the restore.

Backup Exec deletes the data from the staging area when the restore job is complete.

The staging location’s default path is C:\temp. You can change the default restore staging location with the other default restore options.

See Setting defaults for restore jobs.

More Information

How to restore individual items by using Granular Recovery Technology

About requirements for jobs that use Granular Recovery Technology

Recommended devices for backups that use Granular Recovery Technology