You can exclude files from backup either in the Storage Protect graphical user interface (GUI) or by editing the Storage Protect configuration file. The former is generally the simpler and easier method to use.
Excluding files from backup using the GUI
To exclude a file or a range of similar files from backup in the GUI:
Start the GUI:
- From the Windows Start menu search for backup, then launch Backup-Archive GUI.
Start the GUI:
- Run Applications, then IBM Storage Protect > IBM Storage Protect Tools for Administrators > IBM Storage Protect
- When prompted, provide your local administrator password.
Start the GUI:
- Run dsmj as root.
Then:
- Select Edit > Client Preferences > Include-Exclude > Add
- On the Define Include-Exclude Options window, select the following:
- Category: Backup
- Type: Exclude
- File or Pattern: Select Browse and choose a file that you want to exclude.
- Depending on how many files you need to exclude:
- If this is the only file you wish to exclude, proceed to the next step.
- If there are a few more files to exclude, repeat the above step as often as is needed.
- If there is a range of similarly named or similarly located files that you wish to exclude, details of how to edit the File or Pattern line to match a range of files are provided in the basic exclude examples below.
- After confirming your selections, verify that your new exclude rules are working correctly by attempting to perform a manual backup of one or more of your excluded files. It should be marked with a barred red circle, and so be impossible to back up.
Excluding files from backup by editing the Storage Protect configuration file
To exclude a file or a range of similar files by editing the Storage Protect configuration file:
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Locate the Storage Protect configuration file, dsm.opt in Windows, dsm.sys on a Mac or Linux, or incl.excl for very old Linux Storage Protect clients.
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In Windows, run Notepad as administrator, or move the dsm.opt file to the desktop before editing it.
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Edit the Storage Protect configuration file in a text editor and add the additional exclude rules to the end of the file. For example:
exclude "C:\Users\jasonz\Documents\to-be-excluded-1.docx"
Please do not alter or remove any existing rules or other lines of dsm.opt/dsm.sys.
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If there is a range of similarly named or similarly located files that you wish to exclude, details of how to change your exclude line to match a range of files are provided in the basic exclude examples below.
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In Windows, if you moved the dsm.opt file before editing it, now move it back.
- After confirming your selections, verify that your new exclude rules are working correctly by either:
- Attempt to perform a manual backup of one or more of your excluded files. The files should be marked with a barred red circle, and so be impossible to back up.
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Check the include-exclude list on the Storage Protect command line by running dsmc q inclexcl. The output lists the order in which the directives will be processed.