The master server manages backups, archives, and restores. The master server is responsible for media and device selection for NetBackup. Typically, the master server contains the NetBackup catalog. The catalog contains the internal databases that contain information about NetBackup backups and configuration.
Media servers provide additional storage by allowing NetBackup to use the storage devices that are attached to them.
During a backup or archive, the client sends backup data across the network to a NetBackup server. The NetBackup server manages the type of storage that is specified in the backup policy.
During a restore, users can browse, then select the files and directories to recover. NetBackup finds the selected files and directories and restores them to the disk on the client.