Avamar: Pool Replication Flags: Boosting Backup Replication Efficiency

Summary: Boosting Backup Replication Efficiency using pool replication flags.

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Symptoms

From Avamar version 7.4,  new replication flags were provided for Avamar pools.

When set to true, the flag '--use-pool-based' determines the order in which backups are replicated and launches multiple avtar processes for simultaneous replication.

The flag '--targets-ordering' ensures that backups left unreplicated due to a cancellation in the previous replication are also replicated. 

More information about these avrepl flags can be found in the Avamar Administration Guides.

The symptoms below may indicate an issue with the Avamar pool replication flags:
  • Replication jobs are taking longer than expected.
  • Replication jobs are not completing.
  • Replication jobs are not starting.
  • Replication jobs are not replicating all backups.
  • Replication jobs are using more system resources than usual.

Cause

Incorrect usage of Avamar pool replication flags:

  • Misconfiguration of the "--use-pool-based" flag, set to true, may cause multiple avtar processes to run simultaneously, leading to resource contention, and potential system instability.
  • Improper use of the "--targets-ordering" flag may result in unintended backup replication, causing resource exhaustion and potential system issues.

For more information about these avrepl flags, see the Avamar Administration Guides.

Environmental conditions:

  • Running Avamar in a resource-constrained environment, such as low memory or CPU, may exacerbate the issues caused by improper flag usage.

System configurations:

  • Incorrect Avamar system configurations, such as improper storage allocation or network settings, may contribute to the problems caused by the misuse of replication flags.

User actions:

  • Ignoring recommended guidelines or best practices for Avamar pool replication may lead to the identified issues.

Error messages or codes:

  • Replication log:
2023-06-29 04:36:13 avrepl Error <42080>: Error found parsing workorder: --use-pool-based and --targets-ordering cannot be used together.
2023-06-29 04:36:13 avrepl Info <42100>: Final summary generated subwork 0, canceled/aborted 0, exitcode 152

Resolution

To resolve issues with Avamar pool replication flags, consider using these replication flags:

  • --use-pool-based
    • If set to true, this option determines the order in which backups will be replicated. and launches multiple avtar processes to run the replications simultaneously.
  • --targets-ordering
    • This flag means run replication for the current selected backups, as well as replicate other backups the previous replication left due to cancellation.
    • Be cautious when using this flag, as it may increase the time required for replication. Ensure that there is sufficient time allocated for the replication process to complete.

For more details about these avrepl flags, see the Avamar Administration Guides.

Additional Information

From Avamar version 7.4, new replication flags were provided for Avamar pools:

  • --use-pool-based
    • If set to true, this option determines the order in which backups will be replicated, and launches multiple avtar processes to run the replications simultaneously.
  • --targets-ordering
    • This flag means run replication for the current selected backups, as well as replicate other backups the previous replication left due to cancellation.
    • Be cautious when using this flag, as it may increase the time required for replication. Ensure that there is sufficient time allocated for the replication process to complete.

Incorrect usage of Avamar pool replication flags:

    • Misconfiguration of the "--use-pool-based" flag, set to true, may cause multiple avtar processes to run simultaneously, leading to resource contention, and potential system instability.
    • Improper use of the "--targets-ordering" flag may result in unintended backup replication, causing resource exhaustion and potential system issues.
 
Consideration Points:
  • Environmental conditions:
    • Running Avamar in a resource-constrained environment, such as low memory or CPU, may exacerbate the issues caused by improper flag usage.
  • System configurations:
    • Incorrect Avamar system configurations, such as improper storage allocation or network settings, may contribute to the problems caused by the misuse of replication flags.
  • User actions:
    • Ignoring recommended guidelines or best practices for Avamar pool replication may lead to the identified issues.
 

Error messages or codes:

  • Replication log:
2023-06-29 04:36:13 avrepl Error <42080>: Error found parsing workorder: --use-pool-based and --targets-ordering cannot be used together.
2023-06-29 04:36:13 avrepl Info <42100>: Final summary generated subwork 0, canceled/aborted 0, exitcode 152
 
The symptoms below may indicate an issue with the Avamar pool replication flags:
  • Replication jobs are taking longer than expected.
  • Replication jobs are not completing.
  • Replication jobs are not starting.
  • Replication jobs are not replicating all backups.
  • Replication jobs are using more system resources than usual.

For more details about these avrepl flags, see the Avamar Administration Guides.

Affected Products

Avamar, Avamar Server
Article Properties
Article Number: 000228928
Article Type: Solution
Last Modified: 26 Aug 2026
Version:  7
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