Resetarchiveattribute

The client also resets the archive attribute during incremental backups if it is determined that there is already an active object on the server. The resetarchiveattribute option is useful in conjunction with applications, such as IBM Storage Control, as a simple way to report on the backup status of files.

The Windows archive attribute is used to indicate that a file has changed since the last backup. After the client resets the archive attribute, the Windows operating system turns the attribute back to ON after the file has been modified. The client does not use the Windows archive attribute to determine if a file is a candidate for incremental backup, but only manipulates this attribute for reporting purposes. The client uses a much more sophisticated method to determine candidacy for incremental backup.

There are several applications which manipulate or examine the Windows archive attribute. Be aware of the ramifications of using the resetarchiveattribute option in conjunction with these products.

If you set the resetarchiveattribute option to yes, after a file has been successfully backed up to the IBM Storage Protect server, the client resets the Windows archive attribute on the local file system:

• The Windows archive attribute is reset during incremental and selective backups after the file has been successfully committed to the IBM Storage Protect server database. This attribute is not reset for archive, or image operations.
• The Windows archive attribute is not reset when processing system objects or system state objects.
• The Windows archive attribute is not reset for directory entries.

In addition, in order for the local file system to reflect the current active object inventory on the IBM Storage Protect server, the resetarchiveattribute option instructs the client to reset the Windows archive attribute on the local file system if it is determined during incremental backup that a valid, active backup copy of the file already exists on the server. This behavior is not displayed in the following cases:

• Incremental backup operations which do not examine the stored client attributes on the server, such as journal-based backup or incremental-by-date processing.
• Files that are not examined during an incremental backup operation because they are excluded from backup processing.

The client does not guarantee the accuracy of the current setting of the Windows archive attribute. For example, if the resetarchiveattribute option is set to yes and a file examined by a reporting product indicates that the Windows archive attribute is OFF for a particular file, this does not necessarily mean that a valid, active backup copy of the file exists on the IBM Storage Protect server. Factors that could contribute to this type of situation include:

• An independent software vendor product is manipulating the Windows archive attribute
• A file space was deleted from the server
• A backup tape was lost or destroyed

There should be no significant performance degradation when using the resetarchiveattribute option. The resetarchiveattribute option does not affect restore processing.