How-to Create a 'One-Off' Backup with Custom Retention

Introduction

It may be desired to run a one-time backup with custom retention. While Cohesity typically schedules backup jobs and retention against predefined criteria, it is possible to run a custom backup and change retention on a backup. This procedure would be beneficial to run a 'final indefinite' type of backup.

How-to Manually Start a Protection Job

1. Log in to the Cloud Data Protection system.
2. Upon logging into the cluster, the page should automatically direct you to the Protection Jobs page.
3. If you are not on this page or are on a different page, from the navigation menu to the left of the page, select Data Protection → Protection
   
4. Locate the protection job you wish to manually initiate and select Context Menu Icon (), then select Run Now
    
5. Configure the Protection Run Properties 
   1. Backup:          Utilize the drop-down menu to select Backup all Objects in the Job or Backup only selected Objects in the Job
   2. Type:              Utilize the drop-down menu to select a Full, Incremental, or Log backup
      
6. Select Backup Now  to initiate the Protection Job
7. The Protection Job will now display as Running and not list a last job duration.
    
8. To view more details on the running job, follow How-to Check Protection Job Status.

How-to Modify Retention on a Protection Job

1. Locate the protection job you wish to modify retention on one of its protection runs and Click it.
   
2. You will now be on the Protection Job Runs screen. Locate the recently ran backup, select the Context Menu Icon (), select Edit Run.
3. Select the toggle next to Edit.
   1. Utilize the drop-down menu to either Extend or Reduce the retention.
   2. Utilize the drop-down menu and free form field to select the amount of time to either extend or reduce the retention.
      1. Though indefinite is not an option, 99 Years will fulfill the same purpose.
   3. Confirm the New Expiration Date and select Save