Difference between IS Operational Backups and Operational Data Purging

Danny Dulin — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 15:16:54 GMT

We are conducting regular Operational backups of our ISE nodes.

We are also exporting RADIUS and TACACS operational data to a repository before purging.

Documentation states that "Operational Data Backup: Contains Monitoring and Troubleshooting data."

Is RADIUS and TACACS operational data included in "Monitoring and Troubleshooting data?"

If so, does that mean we are saving redundant data?

On top of the fact we are sending the RADIUS and TACACS data to a SIEM.

Re: Difference between IS Operational Backups and Operational Data Pur

balaji.bandi — Fri, 13 Feb 2026 15:28:54 GMT

When you run an Operational Backup (backup <name> repository <repo> operational), ISE takes a snapshot of the current ADE-OS Monitoring and Troubleshooting (MnT) database. This includes:
RADIUS & TACACS+ Live Logs, Active sessions, and the indexed data used to generate built-in ISE reports.

If so, does that mean we are saving redundant data?

Yes, as I know.

On top of the fact we are sending the RADIUS and TACACS data to a SIEM.

This is most of the logs used to correlate SIEM configuration.

The Operational Backup is purely to fix ISE if the MnT node's database becomes corrupted.

Purge Data - Purge Settings (under Administration > Management > Logging > Data Purging) to see exactly how many days of data are being bundled into those exports versus what is kept in the live database.

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Difference between IS Operational Backups and Operational Data Purging

Re: Difference between IS Operational Backups and Operational Data Pur