Skip to main content
Sign in

Search

Actiphy Help Center

When the “Keep original image files” option is enabled

  • Updated

Details

When “Keep original image files” is enabled, some consolidated incremental backup files are saved in a separate folder.

Advantage

  • A separate folder stores older incremental images, so they are still available

Disadvantage

  • More storage is used because older images are kept

Because of the increased storage use, it is recommended to disable this option when configuring Consolidation settings.

For more details, see the related article: “Overview and example scenario of Consolidation”.

 

Example Scenario

The following example shows how Consolidation works with these settings.

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

consoli_keep_original_image.png
・Leave the latest 7 incremental file(s)
・Keep original image files: Until next consolidation
・Schedule: Immediate

[At the end of the 8th incremental backup process before consolidation)]
1.Before_Consolidation-Keep_original_image_files.png

Explanation of Scenario

  • Red frame (Full image):
    Not changed during consolidation. Only incremental images are affected.
  • Blue frame (First original incremental image):
    This is the base incremental file. Later incremental changes are merged into it.
  • Yellow frame (Other incremental images):
    These are newer incremental backups that have not yet been consolidated.

How Consolidation 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 consolidation does not happen.
  • After more backups are created (e.g., the 9th incremental backup), consolidation starts and merges older incremental data into the original file. 
    2.FirstConsolidation-Keep_original_image_files.png
    3.Consolidate_original-Keep_ImageFiles.png

When the 9th incremental file is created and “Keep original image files” is enabled, a “Consolidate_original” folder is created in the destination.

New incremental images (orange and purple frames) are stored in this folder and organized as follows:

  • Red frame (Full image): Full backup, not affected by consolidation
  • Blue frame (Original incremental): First incremental image, which receives consolidated data from the 1st and 2nd increments
  • Yellow frame (3rd–9th increments): Not yet consolidated incremental images
  • Orange frame: First incremental image not yet consolidated into another file
  • Purple frame: Second incremental image not yet consolidated

The next consolidation process happens after additional incremental backups (e.g., after the 10th run).  
4.SecondConsolidation-Keep_original_image_files.png
5.Original_Image_Folder_of_Second_Consolidation-Keep_original_image_files.png
Explanation

  • Red frame: Full backup image
  • Blue frame: Original incremental image that receives data from the 1st–3rd incremental backups
  • Yellow frame (4th–10th): Incremental images not yet consolidated
  • Orange frame: Image that has already been consolidated from the 1st and 2nd incremental backups
  • Purple frame: 3rd incremental image that is still not consolidated

How it works

  • Each time a new incremental backup is created, the oldest unconsolidated image (from the yellow group) is merged into the blue (original) image.
  • Orange-frame images are also included in consolidation.
  • A new unconsolidated image is then created and placed in the purple group.

Note
Because images continue to accumulate and grow in size, storage usage may increase significantly. Make sure there is enough free space at the destination.

Notes

  • Consolidation only reduces the number of backup images kept. It does not prevent storage space issues.
  • Over time, consolidated files may grow large and could even become larger than a full backup.
  • Be careful when using this feature (see related article on eternal incremental backups and consolidation).

Important

  • A known issue exists in Actiphy ImageCenter (v7.0.0.1682) where consolidation may not work correctly even when properly configured.
  • Use AIP’s Post-backup Process or ImageCenter when using consolidation.
     

Related Articles

Overview and example scenario of Consolidation
https://actiphyhelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/57504035849369

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


57398456934425

 

Comments

0 comments

Please sign in to leave a comment.

Powered by Zendesk