Recovering Managed Files

Remote Storage data is stored in the MTF format. To recover managed files from the system backup, perform the same restore operations that you would use to restore files that are not managed by Remote Storage. Remote Storage detects when restore operations have occurred and schedules a validate job to run against the restored volume. The restore function on a Backup tape restores the reparse points and all files that are not managed by Remote Storage. By default, when Backup backs up files in Remote Storage, the reparse data (not the full file) is backed up. For this reason you still need the Remote Storage media with the Remote Storage databases to recall the files from the reparse point and fully recover a managed volume.

If the volume was destroyed and you have backups of the reparse point data, you can recover by either restoring the reparse point data from tape or restoring the Remote Storage and Removable Storage databases from the Remote Storage media. For more information, see "Restoring the Remote Storage Database" earlier in this chapter.

Caution

As a last resort (for example, if remote storage recovery was not successful), use Backup to restore data from the Remote Storage media.

Using Backup to restore data from the Remote Storage media can cause problems under the following circumstances:

• More than one version of the file exists on the Remote Storage media. For example, if a file was migrated, recalled, modified, and then migrated again, the wrong version of the file might be restored.

• A user has deleted a file that no longer needs to be archived. The file still resides on the tape even though the reparse point to it is severed.

To recover Remote Storage files

Remote Storage does not recall files while they are being recovered.

1. Open the Removable Storage snap-in, and then locate the Remote Storage tapes in the import media pool or the Remote Storage pool.
2. Open Backup to create a media pool in Removable Storage.
3. Right-click the appropriate media, click Copy, right-click the Backup pool, and then click Paste.

   – Or –

   Highlight the media, and then drag it to the Backup pool.




Note

Backup needs to have been opened before a pool can be created in Removable Storage. Backup then needs to be restarted before it can recognize the media that is pasted into its pool. This needs to be done with care, because this temporarily prevents recalls from occurring if Remote Storage is installed and running.

4. After recovering the needed files, cut and paste the media back into the Remote Storage media pool.

Use the Backup restore function to catalog and view the available directories and files to be restored. The tape contains the directory names and the date of the Remote Storage and Removable Storage database files.

Each set needs to be individually cataloged to produce a listing of all files on the tape. All files and directories that were managed are visible in the right pane after expanding the directory associated with the file. The restore function allows the restoration of files to the same directory as well as to alternative locations. If you want the file to be able to be recalled from the managed placeholder, restore it to an alternative location. The restore operation returns the file to the state that the file was in at time of management.

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