Nutanix Certified Associate Practice Exam

What is advised when configuring local snapshots for a NetBackup environment?

1. Always enable periodic snapshots

2. Limit snapshots to critical applications only

3. Verify backup jobs after each snapshot

4. Use application consistent snapshots when necessary

The correct answer is: Use application consistent snapshots when necessary

Using application consistent snapshots when necessary is crucial in a NetBackup environment because it ensures that the data captured in the snapshot is in a stable state, reflecting all changes made up to that point in time without risk of corruption. This is particularly important for applications that handle transactions or real-time data, such as databases, where uncommitted changes might be lost if a crash occurs during a backup. Application consistency helps maintain the integrity of data and provides a reliable recovery point, which is essential for disaster recovery planning. The other options, while they may have their merits in certain contexts, don't address the critical nature of maintaining data integrity for applications that rely on real-time operations or transactions. These factors are integral when considering backup strategies, especially for complex environments where applications can dictate specific backup requirements. Using application consistent snapshots minimizes the risk of encountering data discrepancies during recovery processes, thus enhancing the overall reliability of backup practices in a NetBackup environment.