NovaBACKUP PC/Server/BE v19.x and newer
If the retention rule does not work properly, the following reasons may apply:
1. NovaBACKUP no longer refers to the files on the hard disks
2. Log files for the backups were deleted
3. Missing access rights for the storage
4. Retention is not scheduled
5. Incremental backups
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1. NovaBACKUP no longer refers to the files on the hard disks
For all files backed up by NBK, entries for the backed up data must exist under "Restore" (= Media View). This is valid for file backups, NOT for image backups. For image backups the retention checks the logs!
If there is no entry for a file (extension .nbd) under "Restore" or all logs have been deleted, the retention rule will not delete anything on the storage. In this case, you must delete the corresponding data on the storage manually. Alternatively, backup files can also be imported, but this can be time-consuming depending on the amount of backed up data.
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2. Log files for the backups were deleted
The retention rule also includes the log files belonging to the backups under "Logs" as a criterion. If there is no entry under "Logs" for a backup, the rule does not delete the relevant backup file.
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3. Missing access rights for the storage
In order for the retention rule to delete, it requires full access rights to the target. As a rule, the rules for setting up a network device apply. In some configurations, however, this may not be sufficient. Then you have to make additional configurations. Proceed as described in the following articles:
https://support.novastor.com/hc/en-us/articles/360006792073-Retention-job-cannot-delete-File-Backups-on-destination-network-storage-device-due-to-network-permissions
https://support.novastor.com/hc/en-us/articles/360010920734-Access-rights-for-shares
On page
https://support.novastor.com/hc/en-us/categories/360000516334-NovaBACKUP
you can find more share related articles by a search for the keyword "NAS" or "share" (without ").
Schedule the execution of the retention rule AFTER the backup jobs. Some NAS systems and external USB drives go into power save mode and take some time to wake up. The retention rule goes into a timeout quite quickly and then can't delete anything. If it is started AFTER a backup, the NAS is still online => rule can delete immediately.
In general, it is always advisable to switch off energy-saving modes of USB ports/drives and NAS systems.
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4. Retention is not scheduled
After creating the retention rule, you may have forgotten to include it in your schedule.
Proceed as described in this article:
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5. Incremental backups
The retention will not delete any incremental backups! You have to execute a full backup first, and then followed by new incremental backups. If the oldest full/incr backups matches to the retention rule they will be deleted then at once. But you cannot delete only one incremental backup file out of the incremental chain.
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AMo