Recovery and Cloning Operations
What this domain tests
Recovery questions test browse versus retention, save-set versus file-level recovery, directed recovery, and server disaster recovery. Cloning questions test clone actions, clone pools, and how copies are tracked.
Recovery choices
- File-level recovery uses the client file index and requires the save set to be within its browse period. You can browse the directory tree and select files.
- Save-set recovery recovers an entire save set by save-set ID. It can work after the browse period has expired, as long as the save set is still retained and the media is available.
- Directed recovery sends data to a different client than the one that was backed up. The target client must be configured and authorized.
- Server disaster recovery requires the bootstrap save set and the media database. Losing the server requires recovering the configuration and media database before normal restores can continue.
Cloning
A clone action copies selected save sets from a source pool to a clone pool. Clones are tracked in the media database as copies of the original save set. Use nsrclone for command-line cloning when needed. Cloning is not the same as archiving; it creates another copy but does not by itself change the source retention. The clone action and target pool determine the copy's retention and browse behavior.
Worked example
A user deleted a file 10 days ago. The save set has a 7-day browse period and a 30-day retention period. The file no longer appears in the client file index, so file-level browsing fails. However, the save set is still retained. Recover the entire save set by save-set ID to a temporary location, then extract the needed file. This works because retention outlives browse.
Traps
Do not assume an expired browse period means the data is gone. Do not assume a clone automatically extends retention unless the clone action or pool is configured to do so. Directed recovery needs a valid target client and permissions. Server recovery is not the same as a normal client restore; it depends on bootstrap and media database recovery.