A scratch pool is a repository of media that are available for use. When a data protection, synthetic full, or auxiliary copy operation requires new media, the system takes one from a scratch pool. Media may be:
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Assigned to a scratch pool when they were imported and discovered in the CommCell.
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Logically reassigned from one scratch pool to another scratch pool.
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Returned to a scratch pool by the system when all of its data are pruned or deleted. (For additional information, see Media Recycling.)
Every library has a default scratch pool, which is automatically created when the library is configured. When the system creates a storage policy for the library (e.g., when the library or one of its drive pools is configured), the primary storage policy copy is associated with the default scratch pool. In addition, when you import new media into the library, this is the scratch pool to which they are assigned (unless you specify otherwise). You can create any number of additional scratch pools, and assign these to different storage policy copies that access the library. You can also designate a user-defined scratch pool as the default for the library. See Change the Scratch Pool Associated With a Storage Policy Copy for step-by-step instructions.
The Scratch Pool Report provides a list of the contents and low watermarks of scratch/cleaning pools.