Maintaining active-data storage pools

Setting up active-data storage pools can be useful for fast client restore operations. By keeping only active data in a storage pool, you can reduce the number of onsite or offsite storage volumes that you use, or reduce bandwidth when you copy or restore files that are vaulted electronically in a remote location.

Before you begin

One of the main benefits of using active-data storage pools is that it requires less disk space because the active-data pool contains only active file versions. Inactive data can be moved to tape.
The benefits of an active-data pool depend on the specific device type that is associated with the pool. For example, active-data pools that are associated with a FILE device class are ideal for fast client restore operations for the following reasons:
  • FILE volumes do not have to be physically mounted
  • The server does not position past inactive files that do not have to be restored
In addition, client sessions that are restoring from FILE volumes in an active-data pool can access the volumes concurrently, which also improves restore performance.

Active-data pools that use removable media, such as tape or optical, offer similar benefits. Although tapes must be mounted, the server does not have to position past inactive files. However, the primary benefit of using removable media in active-data pools is the reduction of the number of volumes that are used for onsite and offsite storage. If you vault data electronically to a remote location, you can save bandwidth by copying and restoring only active data. Use an active-data pool that is associated with a SERVER device class to copy and restore data when you want to save bandwidth.

For optimal efficiency during point-in-time restores and to avoid switching between active-data pools and primary or copy storage pools, the server retrieves both active and inactive versions from the same storage pool and volumes.