Configure the backup retention policy
Overview
The backup retention policy defines the duration when inSync retains the backup data in storage. You can restore this data later. To ensure that backup data is available for restore, you must define a retention policy for your inSync setup. After every backup, inSync saves a snapshot of the backup data to a storage. A snapshot is a point-in-time image of backup folders. It represents the state of the backup folders at the time of backup. The number of snapshots retained in a storage depends on the number of backups completed and the retention policy. After the retention policy expires, the backed-up snapshots within the storage are auto-deleted.
Note:
- You can configure the backup retention policy through profiles. You cannot do this on an individual user level.
- If the user exists in a preserves state, at least one snapshot will appear in the inSync console, provided it has backed up at least once. This snapshot will remain in the console for as long as the user remains present, regardless of the applied retention policy.
inSync supports three types of backup:
- Backup: This is the backup that occurs according to the backup interval that you specified or any regular backup operation from a user device.
- Weekly backup: This is the oldest successful backup of the week. inSync considers Sunday as the first day of the week.
- Monthly backup: This is the oldest successful weekly backup of the calendar month. inSync follows the Gregorian calendar.
inSync follows the Grandfather-father-son rotation policy for its hierarchical backup strategy. The backups are treated as a son. The oldest successful backup of the week graduates to the father status (weekly backup). The oldest weekly backup of the month graduates to the grandfather status (monthly backup).
Define the backup retention policy for devices
To define the backup retention policy for devices
- On the Endpoints console, select Profiles.
- Click the link of the profile for which you want to define a backup retention policy.
- Go to the Edit option at the top right, and click the Endpoints tab from the dropdown. The Edit Profile window appears.
- Under the Backup Schedule & Retention tab, go to the Retention section.
- Provide the appropriate information for each field and click Save.
| Field | Action |
|---|---|
| Retain all snapshots for |
Based on the type of data you are backing up and storage requirements, you can choose to enter a duration in days for which you want to retain all the daily backups. At the end of the backup period, inSync will delete the data from the storage. Example: If you specify that you want to retain all backups for 5 days and inSync completed the backup operation on January 6, 2019, it will delete the backup data from the storage on January 11, 2019. |
| Retain weekly snapshots for |
Based on the type of data you are backing up and storage requirements, you can choose to enter a duration in weeks for which you want to retain all the weekly backups. At the end of the backup period, inSync will delete the data from the storage. Example: If you type 5, inSync will automatically retain all the weekly snapshots for 5 weeks.
|
| Retain monthly snapshots for |
Based on the type of data you are backing up and storage requirements, you can choose to enter a duration in months for which you want to retain all the monthly backups. At the end of the backup period, inSync will delete the data from the storage. Example: If you type 3, inSync will automatically retain all the monthly snapshots for 3 months.
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Note: Data retention settings for files and emails do not apply in the following scenarios:
- If the users associated with the SaaS Apps profile are put on Legal Hold.
If the retention settings for Files for the SaaS Apps profile has unlimited retention settings for daily, weekly, and monthly frequencies. i.e. the Retention Settings for Files for the SaaS Apps profile is set to Zero.