The file cache on an Avamar client stores metadata hashes of previously backed-up files. During a backup, if a file's current metadata does not match an entry in the file cache (a cache miss), Avamar considers the file new or modified. Consequently, the file is not skipped. Instead, it must be fully processed by the avtar agent, which involves reading the file, breaking it into variable-sized chunks, and hashing those chunks for deduplication against the server.

A. An "is present" call is made to the server for data chunks that miss the local chunk cache, which is a subsequent step after the file is processed.

B. A cache miss leads to more data being processed, which could result in more unique chunks being compressed and sent to the server, not fewer.

D. Increased memory swapping is a potential system performance issue, not a direct and required step in the Avamar backup process following a cache miss.

1. Dell Avamar Technical Description and Considerations (Version 7.5), Page 15, "File cache" section. The document explains, "If a file is not in the file cache, avtar reads the file, divides it into variable-size data chunks..." This confirms the file is processed.

2. Dell Avamar Administration Guide (Version 19.4), Page 33, "The backup process" section. This section details the workflow where files are first checked against the file cache before being chunked.