Preservelastaccessdate

Use the preservelastaccessdate option to specify whether a backup or archive operation changes the last access time.

A backup or archive operation can change the last access time of a file. After an operation, the backup-archive client can reset the last access time to the value before the operation. The last access time can be preserved, rather than modified, by the backup-archive client. Resetting the last access time requires extra processing for each file that is backed up or archived.

If you enable open file support, the last access date for files is always preserved regardless of the setting for preservelastaccessdate. When open file support is enabled, do not use the preservelastaccessdate option.

Use this option with the incremental, selective, or archive commands.

Note:
  1. This option applies only to files; it does not apply to directories.
  2. Mac OS X operating systemsOracle Solaris operating systemsLinux operating systemsAIX operating systemsResetting the last access date affects backup and archive performance.
  3. Resetting the last access date can affect applications that rely on accurate last-access dates such as a Storage Resource Management (SRM) application.
  4. Linux operating systemsAIX operating systemsOn file systems that are not managed by the IBM Spectrum Protect for Space Management client or when non-root users back up or archive, the ctime attribute is reset. The last changed time and date (ctime) attribute is reset to the date and time of the backup or archive operation.
  5. Linux operating systemsAIX operating systemsThe updatectime option takes precedence over the preservelastaccessdate option. If both options are set to yes, the preservelastaccessdate option is ignored
  6. Linux operating systemsAIX operating systemsOn file systems that are not managed by the IBM Spectrum Protect for Space Management client, do not use preservelastaccessdate yes and the GPFS mmbackup command. The mmbackup command and preservelastaccessdate yes selects all files for each backup operation.
  7. Windows operating systemsThe last access date cannot be preserved on files that are write-protected either by the read-only attribute or by a restrictive NTFS security permission.
  8. You cannot reset the last access date of read-only files. The preservelastaccessdate option ignores read-only files and does not change their date.

Supported Clients

This option is valid for all clients.

The server can also define this option.

Options File

Mac OS X operating systemsOracle Solaris operating systemsLinux operating systemsAIX operating systemsPlace this option in the client user options file (dsm.opt). You can set this option on the Backup tab of the Preferences editor.

Windows operating systemsPlace this option in the client options file (dsm.opt). You can set this option on the Backup tab of the Preferences editor.

Syntax

Read syntax diagramSkip visual syntax diagram PRESERVELAstaccessdate NoYes

Parameters

No
A backup or archive operation can change the last access date. This value is the default.
Yes
A backup or archive operation does not change the last access date.

Examples

Options file:
preservelastaccessdate yes
Mac OS X operating systemsOracle Solaris operating systemsLinux operating systemsAIX operating systemsCommand line:
Mac OS X operating systemsOracle Solaris operating systemsLinux operating systemsAIX operating systemsIncremental /proj/test/test_file -preservelastaccessdate=yes
Windows operating systemsCommand line:
Windows operating systemsdsmc incr c: e: f: -preservelastaccessdate=yes