What is a restore
A restore is an operation that allows you to recover data previously saved through a backup, for example in the event of accidental deletion, an error or system failure, or to return data to a previous state (
rollback).
A restore allows you to recover files and folders and return them to a previous state using the copies available in existing backups.
The availability of data for restoration depends on the backup plan settings, particularly the
retention, which defines how long backup copies are kept.
What can be restored
With Commvault, you can restore backed-up data according to the server configuration and the assigned backup plan.
In particular, you can recover:
- individual files - to restore specific items;
- folders - to recover entire directories;
- previous versions - to return data to an earlier state.
You can only restore data included in the backup (defined by the
subclient) and still available according to the configured retention period.
If a file or version is no longer within the retention period, it cannot be recovered.
What happens when you restore a backup
Restoring a backup allows you to recover saved data, but it may affect the data currently stored on the server.
In particular:
- the restore operation only affects server data and does not modify or delete existing backups;
- all backups created before and after the selected restore point remain available until their retention period expires;
- restored data is returned to the state it was in when the selected backup was performed;
- if you use the option to restore to the original location (Restore to original folder) with overwriting enabled, existing files may be replaced;
- if you restore to a different location or without overwriting, the current data is not modified;
- once completed, the restore operation cannot be automatically undone: to return to a different version of the data, you must perform another restore.
Before starting a restore, it is therefore important to check the available options and assess their impact on the data currently stored in the system.
Restore options
When configuring a restore, Commvault allows you to set various options that determine how data will be recovered. The main options available on the restore screen are described below.
- Destination: allows you to restore data to the same server (selected by default) or choose another server, if available;
- Restore to original folder
- when enabled (default) - data is restored to its original location;
- when disabled - you can specify an alternative location in the Destination path field.
- ACLs (Access Control Lists)
- when enabled (default) - the original permissions are preserved;
- when disabled - the permissions of the destination system are applied.
- Data
- when enabled (default) - the selected data (files and folders) is restored;
- when disabled - data is not restored, but only other selected information (for example, permissions, if enabled).
- Unconditionally overwrite if it already exists
- when disabled (default) - existing files are not automatically overwritten;
- when enabled - existing files are always overwritten.
- Impersonate user
- when disabled (default) - the system's default context is used;
- when enabled - the restore is performed using the credentials of a specific user.
- Notify user on job completion
- when enabled (default) - a notification is sent when the restore is completed;
- when disabled - no notification is sent.
The selected options directly affect the restore result and its impact on existing data.
To avoid data loss, we recommend initially restoring to an alternative location, checking the recovered content and only then replacing the original files if necessary.
How to perform a full or partial restore from a backup
- Access Commvault Command Center;
- from the menu, select Protect > Files;
- switch from the Overview tab to the Files tab;
- select the name of the server on which you want to perform the restore;
- select Jobs below the server name;
- locate the backup (date and time) you want to restore and select the three-dot menu at the end of its row (in the Actions column);
- select Restore from the list;
- on the Backup content page, use the folder tree to select what you want to restore (the entire backup or one or more parts);
- select Restore at the top of the page.
- configure the restore options in the Restore options window;
- confirm by selecting RESTORE;
- the restore is performed as a job, which you can monitor in the Jobs section.
How to search for and download files and folders from a backup
You can browse backed-up data and download files and folders without restoring them to the server.
The download is performed from a selected backup (date and time) and allows you to recover individual files or folders without affecting the data currently stored on the server.
To search for and download files or folders:
- access Commvault Command Center;
- from the menu, select Protect > Files;
- switch from the Overview tab to the Files tab;
- select the server name;
- select Jobs below the server name;
- locate the backup (date and time) from which you want to download data and select the three-dot menu at the end of its row (in the Actions column);
- select Restore from the list;
- on the Backup content page, use the folder tree to locate the folders or files (the displayed data corresponds to the selected backup);
- select the items you want to download;
- select Download at the top of the page.
After the operation:
- the selected files are downloaded to your local device;
- the data stored on the server is not modified;
- existing backups remain unchanged.