Bacula retention is the recorded file retention policy that stipulates the length of time that Bacula will keep the file records for on the catalog database. All Bacula files have a retention period assigned to them such that when the retention period or time expires, and the removal stage is set, Bacula will remove all file records that are older than the specified retention period.
Bacula Catalog Maintenance
Without a properly set up and maintained Bacula storage system in place, your store catalog can continue to grow continuously in a robust manner with your daily routines and procedures.
Remember, with a user's daily functions, all data are specified to be backed up on the Bacula cloud. Preference is regarded to the incoming files because it is thought to being of a high priority than the older files. Bacula Catalog Maintenance seeks to have the best file retention policy that will ensure that at no user's point in time is any data lost due to unintended circumstances.
The growth of your customer database depends on the number of functions that you assign to be backed up. Planning on having a strategic way of backing up data is crucial. A user is advised to delete unnecessary files that are deemed to be of less priority. The retention policy is aimed at assigning the highest priority to use confidential documents and files as stated by the user.
Bacula Retention Periods
Bacula uses three retention periods: The job retention period, the file retention period, and the volume retention period.
Job Retention Period
Calculated as the time, less period, less specification (Time-period-specification). Job retention record defines Bacula length of time that is set to keep the record in the catalog database.
In the event of expiry of the mentioned period, and the AutoPrune is set to yes, Bacula software removes the job records which are older than the specified retention period. All this is set to free up the Bacula storage and backup space for effective performance.
It is also key to note that if a job is picked up for pruning, all the associated file and backup storage IDs are deleted it regardless of the job retention period. The process is aimed at freeing up more backup and storage spaces.
Due to the above job retention process user is cautioned that it is prudent to always keep the job record in the database because even if you lose the file you can still be able to backup from the AutoPrune console.
File Retention
File retention sets differentiation on how long Bacula will keep the record on the database. It is important to note that when the time set expires and the AutoPrune timer is set to yes, then Bacula will prune file records that are older than the specified retention period.
Although Bacula's client database contains a record of a copy of the file job retention period, the restoration of the file could be lost because Bacula uses the current values that are found in the director’s client resource to do the pruning. The client is advised to give higher priority to very crucial files to avoid such data being pruned.
Volume Retention
The volume retention period is calculated as time, less period, less specification (Time-period-specification). In Bacula, volume retention defines the length of time that the Bacula software guarantees that the specified volume is maintained and not reused when other volumes are required.
It is set to ensure that upon newer volume requirements, the initial volumes are retained regardless. It is key to note that a user needs to set the volume precedence of the crucial files so as to ensure the safety of the files is maintained even when higher volumes are required.
This is because when higher volumes are required due to new orders with the AutoPrune set to yes, Bacula will remove/prune jobs that are older than the specified volume retention period.
Bacula Recycling Algorithm
These are the algorithms that Bacula uses to acquire new volumes from the pruned volumes. Bacula uses the acquired volumes to perform storage functions of new orders that require Bacula catalog services.
Bacula algorithm works by looking for the oldest volume that is purged. If Bacula finds a recycle file flag that is available for the new volume, it will proceed to label it and write new data on it.
Conclusion
File, volume, and job retention methods are all ways that Bacula sets precedence on the new available orders. A user is always advised to set high precedence for his or her data to avoid losing crucial information.
