Understanding RDA immutabilty
RDA immutability provides protection from overwrites and deletes on backup files. This technology is present by default for RDS containers, but not all backups are protected by default. Backup applications sending data using the RDA protocol to QoreStor define whether the backup data should be immutable and the time period the data will remain immutable. After you set immutability on the backup data, you cannot modify or delete the backup data from the RDA container until the immutable time period expires. For the current list of supported backup applications that take advantage of this technology, see the Quest QoreStor Interoperability Guide.
Managing containers with RDA immutability
When working with containers that have RDA immutability, take the following conditions into consideration.
Container deletion
Containers with Immutable files cannot be deleted until the immutability on all the backup data expires.
Container replication
When container replication is set up between two RDA containers and when replicated backup data includes an immutability time period, the remaining immutability time period is set on the backup data replicated to target containers.
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NOTE: It is not possible to add a container with immutable backup data as a replication target. |
In case of secondary copy or duplicate operations performed by backup applications over RDA, backup applications set immutability time period on the target backup data.
Cloud tier and archive tier
QoreStor maintains the immutability time period on backup data when it transfers them to a cloud tier or archive tier. During a disaster recovery from a cloud tier or archive tier, the immutable time period is again set on the backup data, making it immutable on new QoreStor instances as well..
Viewing immutable container statistics
The container statistics for an RDA container show the current number of immutable files. This immutable statistic does not automatically update when the immutability time period expires for some backup data, which means you must update the statistics and check the current immutable files after that time.
To view immutable container statistics
- In the command line interface, to update the statistics on the immutable files, run the following command:
container --update --name <name> --immutable_file_stat
- To check the latest immutable file count in the container, run the following command:
stats --container --name <container_name>
Managing containers
In QoreStor, data is stored in containers, which are stored in storage groups. Some containers function like a shared file system. These types of containers can be assigned a specific connection type, for example, NFS/CIFS or RDA (including both OST and RDS clients). These containers are then accessed via NFS, CIFS, and RDA protocols.
Each container includes an optional Recycle Bin. When enabled, the Recycle Bin holds deleted files for a specified number of days before completing the deletion. During this time, the files are still available for recovery. Enabling the Recycle Bin for a container not only provides a safety net for accidentally deleted files, but also protects files from ransomware that attempts to destroy your data.
In QoreStor you can manage your storage groups and data containers, including viewing storage groups and containers, creating new storage groups and containers, modifying or deleting them, moving data into containers, and viewing current statistics. Management for containers can be done either through the GUI or the command line.
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NOTE: If only the DefaultGroup storage group exists on your system, all containers you create are automatically added to that group. You can create custom storage groups, and then when you create a container, you can specify that it be added to the custom storage group. For more information about storage groups, see the topic, “Managing Storage Groups.” |