Restoring a specific generation of a file
The number of generations stored online for a backup item is determined by the Maximum Generations setting of the backup set item, and by the retention rule (if assigned) that is enforced on the backup set.
When CDP is not enabled in a backup set, items that have changed since the last backup session are backed up once. For every backup session in which an item is backed up, a generation of the item is created and stored online unless subsequently removed by a retention rule. All items backed up in the same session are of the same generation with the same backup time.
When CDP is enabled in a backup set, each item is backed up when a change in the item is detected. Multiple generations of the item are created and stored online within a backup session if changes are detected for multiple times. Each generation is timestamped with the backup time.
In some cases, you might want to restore an older version of a backed up file. For example, if you discover that files after a certain date are corrupted or you want to restore a project that requires files from the same backup session. The number of generations online depends on the backup set option settings, as well as the number of backups performed and the frequency of changes to the backup file.
The Restore Now Wizard allows you to select a specific version of a backed up item (or file) for restore through the File Info button and two buttons in the Backup Generations dialog box of individual files: Select and Select Session Only.
• To open the Restore Now Wizard, browse the Backup Sets tree and select the required backup set. Then on the Restore menu, click Restore Now.
To display and select data of one specific backup session for restore:
The following procedure allows you to select only items or files from one specific backup session for restore.
1. Do one of the following to limit the items and files available for selection:
• Specify a backup session as a certain period:
a) On the Select directories/files to restore page, click Advanced.
b) In the Advanced Options dialog box, select Selective data (from a certain period).
c) Beside the From date, click >> and select your required backup session, and then click OK.
d) Beside the To date, click >> and select the same backup session, and then click OK.
e) In the Advanced Options dialog box, click OK to apply the changes.
• Specify a backup session by selecting a generation of an item or a file:
a) On the Select directories/files to restore page, select a directory, and then click Show Files.
b) In the Files List section, click an item or a file that you need. Then click File Info to see all the generations that are stored for the item or the file.
c) Select the required backup generation, and then click Select Session Only. Each backup generation is distinguished by backup time.
Two changes occur in the Restore Now Wizard:
• That specific generation of the selected file is now selected for restore.
• The
Show option in the
Advanced Options dialog box (
page 115) automatically changes to
Selective data (from a certain period) with the backup session of your selected generation as the period.
NOTE: Only items or files that have been backed up in the selected backup session will be available for selection.
2. On the Select directories/files to restore page, select the folder(s), items, or files from the Files List you want to restore.
To select data of various backup generations for restore:
The following procedure allows you to select from the earliest backup generations stored online up to a specific time of your choice for restore.
1. On the Select directories/files to restore page, click Advanced.
2. In the Advanced Options dialog box, ensure that Latest generation of all data is selected, and then click OK.
3. On the Select directories/files to restore page, select a directory, and then click Show Files.
4. In the Files List, click a required item. Then click File Info to see all the generations that are stored for the item.
5. Select the required generation of the item, and then click Select.
NOTE: In the Advanced Options dialog box, the option Selective data (from a certain period) in the Show section is then automatically selected. If the generation that you have just selected is not the latest generation of the item or file, the To date will be updated to reflect the backup time of the item, consequently setting a limit on the period from which you can select data. The From date remains unchanged unless it is more recent than the To date.