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Backup archive storage (GFS)
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Backup archive storage (GFS)

GFS (Grandfather-Father-Son) backup archiving is an algorithm for long-term storage of selective backups with the ability to configure multiple independent retention periods. For more information about GFS, see the Long-Term Retention Policy (GFS) in the Veeam documentation.

GFS requires regular full backups. To do this, the backup method is changed to Forward Incremental Method, which increases storage consumption. For more information about backup methods, see Backup Methods in the Veeam documentation.

You can change the backup method:

  • for all tasks (including new ones). The GFS parameters for each job are configured independently;
  • for individual tasks. You can only configure and change GFS settings through a ticket.

For long-term storage without changing the backup method, you can independently configure separate jobs to store weekly and monthly backups. Each backup chain will consist of a full backup and additional incremental backups.

Enable archiving for all jobs⁠

  1. Create a ticket. In the ticket, specify:

    • for which jobs to connect GFS: for all jobs (including new jobs);
    • type of full backup: Active or Synthitis;
    • the day of the week on which the full backup will be created.

  2. When archival storage is connected, we will send a notification in a ticket.

  3. In the Veeam® Backup Enterprise Manager portal, when creating or editing a job, open the Job Settings tab.

  4. Check the box Keep certain full backups longer for archival purposes.

  5. Press Configure.

  6. Check the desired rules for creating archive copies and configure their settings. Multiple rules can be configured.

  7. Press OK.

Enable archiving for individual jobs⁠

Archive storage will be configured by technical support for the selected jobs. It will only be possible to change storage settings or set up archival storage for new jobs through a ticket.

Create a ticket. In the ticket, specify:

  • type of full backup: Active or Synthitis;
  • the day of the week on which the full backup will be created;
  • tasks for which you want to configure archiving;
  • for each job: which rules and with which parameters should be used for archiving.

Rules for making archive copies⁠

DescriptionParameters
Keep yearly full backupsEach year one of the copies will be archived and retained for a specified number of years
  • Number of years the archive copy will be retained;
  • month — the copy that was created in the specified month will be archived
Keep monthly full backupsEach month one of the copies will be archived and retained for a specified number of months
  • Number of months the archive copy will be retained;
  • week of the month. First (First) or Last (Last)
Keep weekly full backupsEach week one of the copies will be archived and kept for the specified number of weeks
  • Number of weeks the archive copy will be kept;
  • day of the week — if more than one backup was created in a week, the copy for that day of the week will be archived