Delete backups
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You must delete backups when you no longer need them, which frees the space those backups occupy. If you remove backups, you reduce the chance of reaching the limit of 255 Snapshot copies per volume.
What you'll need
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You must ensure that the backup was not used to create a clone.
About this task
When you delete a protected backup, SnapManager deletes the backup from secondary storage and the SnapManager repository. The following table shows the actions taken on both the primary and secondary storage when you delete a local backup:
| Protection state | Local status | Action on primary storage | Action on secondary storage | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Not requested (to be protected) |
Exists |
Deletes the Snapshot copies |
No action required |
SnapManager deletes the local backup. |
Freed |
No action required |
No action required |
The local backup is already freed. If you delete a freed backup, the backup metadata is removed from the repository. |
|
Not protected |
Exists |
Deletes the Snapshot copies |
No action required |
SnapManager deletes the local backup whether or not it has been protected. |
Freed |
No action required |
No action required |
The local backup is already freed. If you delete a freed backup, the backup metadata is removed from the repository. |
|
Protected |
Exists |
Deletes the Snapshot copies |
SnapManager deletes the backup on secondary storage |
SnapManager deletes the local backup and secondary copies. |
Freed |
No action required |
SnapManager frees the backup on secondary storage |
SnapManager deletes the local backup and secondary copies. |
If you attempt to delete a backup that is protected by secondary storage, the Snapshot copies might be marked for deletion and are deleted later by Protection Manager.
You can delete backups retained on an unlimited basis without changing the retention class.
You can optionally collect the dump files after the successful or failed backup delete operation.
If you want to delete the archive log backups, you need to check for the retention duration set for the archive log backup. If the archive log backup is within the retention duration and the archive log files are required for recovery of a restored database, you cannot delete the archive log backup.
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Verify that the operations are complete by entering the following command:
smsap operation list -profile profile_name-dump-quiet-verbose -
To delete a backup, enter the following command:
smsap backup delete -profile profile_name [-label label [data | -archivelogs] | -id id | -all] [-force] [ -dump] [-quiet | -verbose]Use the -force option to force the removal of the backup. Forcing the removal of a backup that has incomplete operations might leave the backup in an inconsistent state.