Types of external backup to use with SnapManager

SnapManager backups replace the backups that are created by Exchange-aware backup tools (such as Windows NTBackup). If you need to create a backup using an Exchange-aware backup tool on a system with SnapManager installed, you must use only copy or differential backup.

Attention: If you create a backup of a type other than copy or differential backup using an Exchange-aware backup tool, your previous backups become unusable for up-to-the-minute restore operations.

The following table describes the backup types.

Backup type	Description	Result
Copy	Backs up all selected files; does not clear archive bit	OK. SnapManager backups unaffected
Normal (full)	Backs up all selected files and clears archive bit	Do not use. Truncates transaction logs; disables SnapManager up-to-the- minute restores
Differential	Backs up all selected files with archive bit set	OK. SnapManager backups unaffected
Incremental	Backs up all selected files with archive bit set and clears archive bit	Do not use. Truncates transaction logs; disables SnapManager up-to-the- minute restores