Commvault decoder/Architecture
What is a backup plan in Commvault?
A backup plan bundles what to back up, how often, where copies go and how long they're kept. It replaced storage policies, and was called a server plan before release 11.38.
- Formerly
- Server plan, Storage policy
- Delivered as
- Configured in Command Center
What it does
Plans are how Command Center organizes protection. Instead of setting schedules, storage and retention separately, a backup plan holds them together: the recovery point you need, the storage for each copy, the retention for each, and any offsite or air-gapped copy.
Release 11.38 renamed server plans to backup plans. When older environments upgrade to 11.40 or later, Commvault creates a plan automatically for each existing storage policy, so both terms appear in older environments.
Key facts
- A base plan can feed derived plans, with settings marked required, optional or not allowed to override.
- Laptop plans are separate from backup plans.
- Retention is set per copy, so the primary copy and an AirGap copy can keep data for different lengths of time.
How KELYN helps
Map your records rules to backup plan retention.
Related
- Command CenterCommand Center is Commvault's web console for setting up and running backups, restores, storage and security. It replaced the older Java CommCell Console for most work.
- Commvault AirGapCommvault's managed cloud storage for isolated, immutable backup copies that ransomware in your network can't reach. It was called Air Gap Protect, and before that Metallic Recovery Reserve.
- Releases: Innovation and LTSCommvault ships Innovation releases monthly, each supported for two months, and a Long-Term Support release once a year, supported for two and a half years. Most organizations should stay on LTS.
Sources
Checked against Commvault's own pages in November 2026. Commvault renames and updates products often, so its documentation has the final word.
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