Overview of Consolidation Feature and Example

Details

The Consolidation feature merges a series of incremental backup files into the original (first) incremental file, keeping only a set number of incremental backups in storage.

If regular full backups are not possible, incremental backups can quickly accumulate into hundreds of files. Consolidation helps reduce this by keeping only a limited number (e.g., 10 or more) for easier management.

However, it can significantly increase storage usage, so review the precautions before using this feature. 

Example Scenario

We recommend the following settings and usage.

Consolidation Settings
This example uses AIP’s Post-backup Process. ImageCenter will behave the same way if configured with the same settings.

・Leave the latest 7 incremental file(s)
・Schedule: Immediate

[Example: At the end of the 8th incremental backup process before consolidation]

Explanation

• Red frame (Full image): Not affected by consolidation
• Blue frame (First incremental image): Receives consolidated data from later incremental backups
• Yellow frame (2nd–8th incremental images): Not yet consolidated

How it works

• Consolidation only runs when the number of incremental images (excluding the first one) exceeds the limit set in “Leave latest ‘n’ incremental file(s)”.
• In this example, there are not enough incremental images yet, so no consolidation happens.
• After more backups are created (e.g., the 9th run), consolidation begins and merges older incremental data into the first incremental image.
  
• Red frame: Full backup image
• Blue frame: First incremental image (contains consolidated data from the 1st and 2nd incremental backups)
• Yellow frame: 3rd–9th incremental images, not yet consolidated

After the 10th incremental backup, consolidation is performed on the remaining unconsolidated incremental images.

•  Red frame: Full backup image

• Blue frame: First incremental image that receives consolidated data from the 1st–3rd incremental backups
• Yellow frame: 4th–10th incremental images not yet consolidated

How it continues

• Each time a new incremental backup is created, the oldest unconsolidated image (from the yellow group) is merged into the blue (first incremental) image.

Notes

Consolidation only reduces the number of backup images kept. It does not solve storage space issues.

Over time, repeated consolidation can make the main incremental file very large—sometimes larger than a full backup.

Be careful when using this feature (see related article on incremental backup management).

Important:
There is a known issue in Actiphy ImageCenter (v7.0.0.1682) where consolidation may not work correctly even if set up properly. Use AIP’s Post-backup Process or ImageCenter when using consolidation. 

Related Articles

Advantages and Disadvantages of Image Management using eternal Incremental Backup and Consolidation
https://actiphyhelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/57504895025049

Consolidation with Actiphy ImageCenter (using StorageServer) typically does not run
https://actiphyhelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/56982685715481
 

 Target Product

- ActiveImage Protector 2022
- ImageCenter

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