Hello community.I'm testing Veeam's immutability proposal using an XFS repository on Linux. Everything works great, but I have the following doubt: How does cleaning old immutable backups work?I've noticed that the test repository is running out fast, I'm cleaning it manually as root, but I'd like to know how to deal with this situation.Thanks
Answer
Clean Immutable Repository
Best answer by Chris.Childerhose
Immutability simply sets a flag on when the files can be modified/deleted. The retention policy will delete the files however. If the flag has not yet expired, it’ll be marked for deletion once the flag has expired. If you’re using a smaller repo, in order to prevent yourself from running out of space, you’ll likely need to set immutability to not extend beyond what restore points you can afford to delete with the retention policies.
There is some information on how this works under the LHR (Linux Hardened Repository) section below.
https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backup/vsphere/hardened_repository.html?ver=120
Another thing to keep in mind here is the added 10 days noted in the description on this page. So, there will be additional immutability days on top of the selected number you choose. Also using the calculator Mildur posted helps with calculations for sure. Definitely a go to tool for this stuff.
Tiago - System Administrator - Brazil
+8Immutability simply sets a flag on when the files can be modified/deleted. The retention policy will delete the files however. If the flag has not yet expired, it’ll be marked for deletion once the flag has expired. If you’re using a smaller repo, in order to prevent yourself from running out of space, you’ll likely need to set immutability to not extend beyond what restore points you can afford to delete with the retention policies.
There is some information on how this works under the LHR (Linux Hardened Repository) section below.
https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backup/vsphere/hardened_repository.html?ver=120
Derek M. Loseke, Senior Systems Engineer | Veeam Vanguard 2025 | Veeam Legend 2022-2024 | VMSP/VMTSP | VCP6-DCV | VSP/VTSP | CCNA | https://technotesanddadjokes.com | @dloseke
+12Hi
Buy enough storage to store your backups. Manual cleaning should never be required. A backup/backup copy job or background retention job will remove them after the backup chain has expired.
You can use our calculator for a storage estimation:
https://calculator.veeam.com/vbr/
Best,
Fabian
Senior Analyst, Product Management @ Veeam Software
+21Immutability simply sets a flag on when the files can be modified/deleted. The retention policy will delete the files however. If the flag has not yet expired, it’ll be marked for deletion once the flag has expired. If you’re using a smaller repo, in order to prevent yourself from running out of space, you’ll likely need to set immutability to not extend beyond what restore points you can afford to delete with the retention policies.
There is some information on how this works under the LHR (Linux Hardened Repository) section below.
https://helpcenter.veeam.com/docs/backup/vsphere/hardened_repository.html?ver=120
Another thing to keep in mind here is the added 10 days noted in the description on this page. So, there will be additional immutability days on top of the selected number you choose. Also using the calculator Mildur posted helps with calculations for sure. Definitely a go to tool for this stuff.
Chris Childerhose - VMCA2024 | VMCE2023 | VMCE-SP2024 | Veeam Vanguard 8* | Veeam Legend 5* | VUG Canada Leader | vExpert 6* | Toronto VMUG Leader | VCAP-DCV/VCP-DCV | Object First Ace | Cisco Champion | Twitter: @cchilderhose | Blog Site – https://just-virtualization.tech
+21I’m needing to verify my restore points as well. This is a great post for me to reference. Thanks guys!
Shane Williford - Veeam VMCA/VMCE | Veeam Legend | VUG Leader | VCP-DCV | Twitter: @coolsport00
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