Recall modes

Migrated files can be recalled transparently, recalled selectively, and retrieved selectively.

A file is recalled automatically when you or a Windows application accesses the stub file. You can manually return a migrated file to the file system by using the information on the IBM Spectrum Protect server or the information in stub files.

Transparent recall

When you or a Windows application accesses a migrated file stub, the HSM for Windows client automatically recalls the file from IBM Spectrum Protect storage.

If only the Windows alternate data stream (ADS) data in a stub file is accessed or modified, the file is not recalled. When a file is recalled because the primary data stream (PDS) data is accessed in the stub file, the ADS data is not recalled. The ADS data is stored in the stub file on the file system and does not change when the PDS data is recalled.

Transparent recall operations are now much faster and will not time out. By using Server Message Block (SMB), which allows systems within the same network to share files, migrated files start copying immediately, and you do not need to wait until the recall operation is complete. If the application that opens the file uses this feature, it can read or display the content of the file while the remaining parts of the file are being recalled. This is especially beneficial when recalling very large migrated files, as by using SMB the recall operation will not time out.

Selective recall

You can selectively recall migrated files that were replaced with stubs when they were migrated. You can search the file system for stub files that match a pattern. You can recall the migrated files that are listed in a text file. The files in the text file must be stub files. Security attributes and ADS data are not recalled with the file.

Selective retrieve

You can selectively retrieve migrated files by using information from the IBM Spectrum Protect server. You can specify whether security attributes and ADS data are retrieved with the file. When you retrieve migrated files, stub files are not required.