User manual for the Ferro Backup System™ - Server

• Click on the heading of the column according to which you want to sort the table
• To reverse the sorting order, click the column heading again
• To sort the table according to multiple columns, select their headings one by one while holding down ALT
• If after clicking on the column heading an arrow indicating the sorting order does not appear, it means that sorting is unavailable for that column

• Move the pointer over the column heading and click on the displayed filter button.
• To add a new filtering rule or modify an existing filter, click on Apply in the lower right corner of the table
• To turn the filtering off, click on the X in the lower-left corner of the table
• If the filter button does not appear when you move the pointer over a column heading, it means that filtering is unavailable for that column

• No connection
• Ready to work
• Task preparation on the server side
• Task launched
• Software update

• Stopped
• Running

• Full backup
• Differential backup

• Station status – current status of workstation
• Station – name of workstation
• Task status - Current backup task status
• Task – Task name
• Last backup – date and time of last backup
• Delta time - time remaining until task execution (-), task duration (+) or task delay (+ red)
• Next backup – date and time of next backup
• Type – Backup type
• Schedule – Task schedule

Fig. 1.1 FBS Server - Backup

• Back up now – when the Stations tab is active, this command is used to immediately run the default backup task for the selected workstation. When the Tasks tab is active, it immediately runs the selected backup task
• Back up all stations now – immediately runs all default backup tasks for all connected workstations
• Cancel – cancels the current backup task on the selected workstation
• Add – displays a configuration window for defining all backup parameters for a new workstation or a new backup task
• Change - displays a configuration window for adjusting the settings of the selected workstation or backup task
• Delete – deletes the selected workstation or backup task

Fig. 1.2 FBS Server - Backup – Workstation Settings window/General

• Computer name – workstation designation. This can be entered manually or selected from a list. The list only has those workstations which have been connected to the server and have not been defined yet. The field is inactive when changing settings for a previously defined workstation.
• Computer description – space for comments on a workstation.
  
  b) Workstation Settings window / Tasks tab – available options:
  
  Use this tab to select the backup task to modify. Three buttons are available in the upper section of the Tasks tab:
  
  
  
  
  
  • New – creates a new backup task
  • Change – changes the name of the selected backup task
  • Delete – deletes the selected task
  
  Information. The task marked as "Default" is run when the button “Back up now” is pressed in the application’s main window. Each workstation needs to have at least one (default) backup task defined.
  
  The Tasks tab is divided into three subtabs:
  
  b-1) Schedule – scheduling backup tasks.
  
  In the first available field you can select a backup type. The following types are available:
  • On demand – The backup operation will be run only by manually launching the task in the application’s main window (button: Back up now)
  • Daily – The backup task will be run every day at the time indicated in the field Start time.
  • Day Intervals – The backup task will be run automatically after a certain number of days. The interval must be set in the Days field.
  • Hour Intervals – The backup task will be run automatically after a certain number of hours. The time interval must be set in the Hours field.
  • Days of the week – The backup task will be run automatically on selected days of the week as defined in the Days of the Week field.
    
    
    
    
    Fig. 1.3 FBS Server – Workstation Settings - Tasks/Schedule
    
    
  • Start Time - In the Start Time field you can schedule the archive task start time accurate to 1 minute.
  • Next Time - In the Next Time field you can set the date for the next backup operation.
  • Backup only at selected times - your tasks will not be launched until the time you set as the Start Time. If at the desired time the workstation is not connected to the server, the task will be postponed until the next scheduled time. If this option is switched off, if the workstation was not available at the desired time, the task will be executed as soon as the workstation reconnects to the server.
    Note. It is recommended to leave this option off for portable computers, which are often not available at preset times.
  • Last Time - The Last time field indicates the date of the last completed backup.
  
  
  b-2) The Range tab – here you can select files and directories to be backed up.
  
  In the Range tab you can choose files, folders or drives to back up and to skip.  The window on the left shows the directory tree of the remote computer. It displays volumes, folders and files. The window also has a special field named “[All local disks]”.  By checking this field you can set masks of files to back up and skip from all local hard disks.
  
  
  
  
  Fig. 1.4 FBS Server - Backup – Workstation Settings window/Tasks
  
  
  
  • Remote File List – this field shows the directory tree of the workstation (remote computer). If you configure settings of a workstation currently not connected to the server, the window is empty. The Volumes button (“V”) is used to display the directory tree root, i.e. the volumes available at the workstation. The following abbreviations are used:
    • FDD – floppy disk drive
      
    • HDD – hard disk drive
      
    • CDR - CD/DVD reader or writer
      
    • NET – mapped network drive
      
    • DIR - directory
      
    • LNK - hard link, junction (soft link) or symbolic link
    • DEF – predefined position
      
      
  • File Masks to Back up – a list of files and directories to back up. The list can include specific files or file masks.
  • File Masks to Skip – a list of files and directories to be omitted from the backup operation. The field is used to exclude a file or a number of files from the File Masks to Back up list. The list can include specific files or file masks.
  • Add – adds files or file masks to a list (back up list or skip list). If a file (or files) is selected in the Remote File List, after clicking on Add it will be added to the list. If, however, a directory or a disk is highlighted in the field Remote File List, the path of this directory and the file mask shown next to the Add button will be added to the list.
  • Delete – deletes selected entries from a list.
  
  
  Examples of the use of wildcard masks in the Files/directories to back up and Files/directories to skip fields:
  
  

  Files backed up	Skipped files	Description
  C:\*.*	-N/A-	All files from C: and all subdirectories will be backed up.
  C:\*.doc C:\*.rtf	-N/A-	All DOC and RTF files from C: and all subdirectories will be backed up.
  C:\*.*	C:\Windows\*.*	All files from C: and and all subdirectories will be backed up except for files from C:\Windows\ and its subdirectories
  *.*	\temp\*.* \temporary internet files\*.*	All files from all local hard disks will be backed up except for files from “temp” and “temporary internet files”

  
  
  List of files and directories to be excluded from backup
  See below for a list of files and directories to be excluded from backup. Files and directories from the list are not important to restore. If the backup includes the following files and directories, the backup process may be significantly prolonged. In some situations, backing up those files and directories may make it difficult to complete the task.
  
  
  • hiberfil.sys
  • pagefile.sys
  • *\System Volume Information\
  • *\Temp\*
  • *\Temporary Internet Files\*
  
  
  Note. If you intend to back up the whole hard disk, remember to skip the abovementioned files and directories.
  
  
  Backing up resources located on the file server
  Mapping network disks
  In order to back up files located on another computer on which you cannot install FBS Worker and perform the backup operation locally, you need to map the resources of the remote computer under a local drive letter. Please note that the mapped drives visible for the logged user are not available (not visible) to FBS Worker. That is why the drives need to be mapped directly in Ferro Backup System using Remote commands (the MAP command).
  
  Direct access to network shares
  The application also allows you to back up the shared resources of another computer without previously mapping it under a local drive letter. In this situation the resources on the remote computer must be available without authentication because there is no way to enter the user name and password. To display a list of files and folders available on the remote computer, enter the following path in the field below “Remote File List”: \\server_name\share_name\ and press Enter.
  
  ACCESS TO NETWORK RESOURCES – A local system account on which the FBSWorker is installed by default does not have access privileges to network resources. Therefore it is necessary to switch the FBSWorker service to an account which has such privileges (e.g. an administrator account) or to set relevant privileges for the Local system account. This can be done from the MMC Services console (Control panel->Administrative tools ->Services).
  
  
  See also:
  • Backup of operating system or disk partition
  • Backup of databases and mail files
  
  
  
  
  
  b-3) Options tab – setting backup properties.
  
  
  
  
  
  Fig. 1.5 FBS Server - Backup – Workstation Settings/Task/Options
  
  
• Backup type - here you can chooses between full or differential backup. For faster backups and space savings, it is recommended to use differential backup or file fragment differential backup.
• File fragment difference – an option of the differential backup recommended for tasks including files bigger than 20 MB.
  Information. Since additional information needs to be stored in backup archives (checksums), the “file fragment difference” option only works from the third backup operation on.
• Periodical full backup – this enables you to reduce the level of dependency between differential backup archives. In the case of differential backups the application only backs up those files which do not exist (or exist only in older versions) in the previous backup files. Thus after a certain time dependency develops between backup archives – newer archives are connected with older ones. When information is restored from a differential copy, files are extracted from the current backup archive and previous archives. If a large number of archives is stored (see: Rotation copies) and any of the differential backups is damaged or deleted, some of the files may not be recoverable. To reduce that risk, check this option.
  Information. This option is not required to ensure correct backup and restore.
• File encryption algorithm – here you can select an algorithm for file encryption. Three encryption algorithms are available, currently considered the best: Rijndael, Serpent, Twofish. Just as during compression, encryption is performed on the computer on which the backed up files are located. Thus the backup copies are already secured when they are sent to the backup server over the network. All of the implemented encryption algorithms use 256-bit keys. The encryption password must be set in the Password management window.
  Note. Encryption may significantly slow down the backup process (Twofish is the fastest encryption, Serpent the slowest). Please note that ZIP archives encrypted in the Ferro Backup System can only be opened with FBS Server - Restore tab.
• Back up before system shutdown – you can choose whether the application should back up files before shutting down the computer
  • Only if no backup scheduled for today – the backup will be performed before shutting down the system only if a backup operation has been scheduled for the current day. This option enables you to execute a backup operation scheduled for a given day even if the user shuts the computer down before the scheduled backup start time. After the backup is completed using this option, a new backup is scheduled, based on the predefined schedule.
    Example:
    -Schedule: Daily, 5pm, Back up before system shutdown: YES
    -Next time: 2007-08-20 17:00:00
    -The system is shut down at 3:30pm. The task is launched. After the task is completed, the next backup is scheduled for: 2007-08-21 17:00:00
    
  • Always - a backup will be performed at each system shutdown. Unlike the previous option, the backup schedule with the “always” option on is not updated after the backup is completed (no new backup is scheduled).
    
    
  • Allow user to cancel backup – if this option is active, the user may cancel the backup and shut down the computer immediately.
  
  Information. The “Back up before system shutdown” option can be turned on only for one backup task.
  
  
  
  
  Fig. 1.6 FBS Worker – the information window displayed during system shutdown
  
  Disk failures most often occur during power on or off. The “Back up before system shutdown” option is used to enhance data protection. It backs up all files created or modified since the last backup when the user shuts down the computer prior to the scheduled periodical backup. If this option is on, the backup is started when the user attempts to shut down the system (selecting “shut down” or pressing the power button on the computer). A dialog appears informing the user that the backup operation has started. The workstation user may cancel the backup and shut down the system immediately by pressing the Cancel button.
  Information. If the “Back up before system shutdown” option is on, the dialog may be displayed for a certain time (~10 seconds) at each system shutdown, even if no backup is required according to the current settings. During that time FBS Worker will interface with the FBS Server to check whether the task needs to be launched.
  If the user does not execute any command, the system shutdown will be completed after the backup operation is finished or connection with the backup server is lost.
  NOTE. The “Back up before system shutdown” option must be switched on only for workstations supporting APM / ACPI. For older workstations which do not support APM / ACPI, after the backup is completed the computer will not be shut down!
• Rotation backups (how many previous copies should be stored) – defines how many backup copies can be stored on the disk. If this option is on, the application will delete the oldest backup file (ZIP file) from the disk if the current number of backup files in the FBF directory is higher than the value set in this field. E.g. if the value is 7, after the 8th copy is completed the application will delete the oldest ZIP file.
  For differential backups, the last differential backup is deleted. The option “Optimize to save disk space” applies to differential backups. If it is on, the application will move files between different ZIP archives so that a ZIP file can be deleted as soon as possible, thus freeing up disk space.
  Information. Ferro Backup System uses advanced mechanisms to move files between ZIP files without actually unpacking and repacking (decrypting and encrypting) them again, which significantly speeds up the operation. This should not, however, be used on slower backup servers since the time to complete a backup task may then be significantly longer.
• Backup location – here an alternative location for backup archives for the selected backup task can be defined, in addition to the Main Backup Location.
  In order to ensure the necessary level of efficiency, the backup directory should be located on a local hard disk or an internal disk array (RAID). Using network disks is not recommended. A network disk can be used as an additional storage location. For details see: Replication.
• Comment – here a comment can be added to a backup task

Fig. 1.7 FBS Server - Backup – Workstation Settings window/Advanced

• Interval between subsequent data sending attempts – Time interval between subsequent attempts to send data
  • Unit: milliseconds [ms]
  • Range: 0 (no delay) - 16777216
  • Default: 14000
• Time to wait for packet - Time to wait for a packet. Currently this needs to be set to 0.
  • Unit: milliseconds [ms]
  • Range: 0 (no time limits) - 16777216
  • Default: 0
• Maximum packet size – Maximum size of transmitted packets. Entering a value higher than 16384 can increase the transfer rate but if the transmission is broken while the archive is being sent the received file may contain errors (packets lost).
  • Unit: bytes [B]
  • Range: 512 - 16777216
  • Default: 16384
• Time interval between reconnection attempts – Time interval between subsequent attempts to reconnect to the server.
  • Unit: milliseconds [ms]
  • Range: 0 (immediate) - 16777216
  • Default: 4000
• Cache size for ZIP stream – The size of the cache memory for the compressed ZIP stream. 0 means cache is switched off. The upper value is limited by the size of the available RAM. In order to limit demand on the application’s memory, you can reduce the cache below the default value. However, if the cache is set below 65536 B, transmission speeds fall dramatically, the amount of information sent over the network rises sharply and the load on the workstation’s and the backup server’s CPU increases. Values higher than the default may increase the backup speed, reduce the amount of data sent over the network and reduce the load on the workstation’s and the backup server’s CPU. If the set cache value is higher than the available RAM, backup will not be possible (error: no memory).
  • Unit: bytes [B]
  • Range: 0 - 1073741824
  • Default: 200000
• Maximum cache – Maximum buffer used for file compression. If set to 0, the best buffer size will be used – ranging between 524288 and 1572864 B. If small values are used (less than the default) compression times are longer and the resulting ZIP archives are larger (lower compression). It is not recommended to use high values (higher than the default). This will consume more memory, lengthen compression times and only slightly improve compression.
  • Unit: bytes [B]
  • 0 (default size), 512 - 16777216
  • Default: 0
• ZIP compression level - ZIP compression level. Range: 0 (no compression), 1 - 3 (fast compression), 4 - 6 (normal compression), 7 - 9 (best compression). Default : 4. If set to 0, files will not be compressed. Values between 1 and 9 define compression level. Small values mean faster compression, less CPU usage and larger archives. High values mean better compression (smaller archives), longer compression times, more CPU and memory usage.
• Compression priority – defines maximum CPU usage during backup. During a backup operation FBS Worker reads files from a disk, compresses them and sends them to the server. This, particularly using poor equipment, places a significant load on the CPU. If the backup is performed while the user keeps working with the computer, for comfort, it is possible to set a lower compression priority. 0 means the lowest and 6 the highest priority. To ensure user comfort, you can set it to 0, meaning the application will only compress when the CPU is idle. Setting it to anything below default will involve less CPU usage and longer backup times. Setting it higher than default may shorten backup times.
  Note. Setting the priority to 6 may mean that the operating system will not respond to the user’s commands until the backup is completed.
  • 0 - Idle, 1 - Lowest, 2 - Lower, 3 - Normal, 4 - Higher, 5 - Highest, 6 - Time Critical
  • Default: 2
• File open retry – Number of attempts to open a file. This is to define how many times the application should retry to open an input file if a read error is encountered. If during the backup operation there are errors caused by the application’s inability to ensure the integrity of input files, this should be set to a higher value.
  • 0 (no retries) - 255
  • Default: 2
• Interval between subsequent read attempts – the interval between subsequent read attempts of source files. This defines the time interval between subsequent attempts to read a source file. Set this value higher if there are integrity errors in input files.
  • Range: 0 (immediate) - 65535
  • Default: 2
  • Unit: milliseconds [ms]
• Minimum file size to be broken down into fragments – sets the file size threshold – if this is exceeded, differential backups will be performed on the file fragment level. See also: Backup type - file fragment difference
  • Range: 100 - 2096128
  • Default: 20480
  • Unit: kilobyte [kB]
• Size of split file fragments – sets the size of fragments which the backed up file will be split into (virtually). Values lower than the default can save disk space on the backup server and speed up the backup process. The default value has been calculated for 1 GB files. If file(s) larger than that are backed up, setting this value lower may increase backup verification time and slow down backup preparation. See also: Backup type - file fragment difference
  • Range: 100 - 2006128
  • Default: 10240
  • Unit: kilobyte [kB]
• Open/locked file backup - (Open File Manager) this can be used to backup open files, i.e. files which are locked by other processes in the system. Files are backed up in the OFM only if they cannot be opened any other way. Most often locked files are database files and system files. For large files (> 100 MB) it is recommended to schedule backups for periods when information is saved less frequently. If the OFM cannot obtain a coherent file image (for database files this is the status after a transaction), the file will be skipped and a relevant note made of that in the Event log .
  Information. Files which are open (locked exclusively) can be backed up only under: Windows NT 4.0, Windows 2000, Windows XP, Windows 2003, Windows Vista, Windows 2008. Files need to be placed on a local, uncompressed FAT 12, FAT 16, FAT 32 or NTFS partition.
  
  
  • Suspend the application writing to the file if no coherent image can be obtained – extension of the “Open/locked file backup” option (Open File Manager) providing a coherent file image even if the application using the file is currently writing to it. When this option is on, it will be possible to back up large (>100 MB) open and locked files to which data keeps being written.
    Note. This is only for workstations and laptops. Turning this on in a server may disrupt access to that server’s services.
    
    
    • Allow user to skip file – when this option is on, the user can skip a file.
    • Allow user to postpone backup - when this option is on, the user can postpone backup (for approximately 3 minutes). After the user selects this command, the suspended program will be resumed and the backup process will continue until the first read error is encountered. If the backup cannot be completed without errors, then after a predefined interval (approximately 3 minutes), FBS Worker will suspend the program again and restart the backup.
    
    
    
    
    Fig. 1.7.1 FBS Worker - A window notifying the user that the program has been suspended
    
    
• Synchronize workstation clock with server – if this field is active, the date and time on the workstation will be synced with the date and time on the server. The date and time are synced whenever a connection is established and whenever time or date settings are changed on the workstation.
• Restore default – restores default workstation settings in the Advanced tab.

Fig. 1.8 FBS Server - Backup – Workstation Settings window/Remote commands

• Add – displays a dialog to enter a new remote command
• Change - displays a dialog to change a selected remote command
• Delete - deletes a selected remote command

Fig. 1.8 FBS Server - Backup – Workstation Settings window/Remote commands - edit

• Remote Command – defines the name of an executable file (.exe, .bat, .cmd, etc.). If necessary, enter the full path before the file name.
• Parameters – (optional) a list of parameters to be sent to the executable file when it is launched. You can use Windows environment variables (local variables and system variables) (e.g.. %COMPUTERNAME%, %USERNAME%) and software variables %TASKNAME%. The %TASKNAME% variable will be replaced with the name of the current backup task when the command is launched (e.g. BASIC). The use of the %TASKNAME% variable enables you to execute a remote command on a contingent basis, depending on the backup task in progress. A sample use of this variable in a batch file might look like this:
  if %1 == BASIC GOTO MY_FUNCTION
  exit
• Launch – here you can specify when the remote command is supposed to be launched. The following types are available:
  • When starting the application (FBS Worker)
  • Before backup
  • After backup
• Wait until command is completed – here you can choose whether FBS Worker, after launching a remote command, should wait for its completion before continuing with the task or not. This option should be active if any subsequent tasks depend on the completion of the remote command.
• Test – sends a remote command to the workstation and launches it. The result of the remote command will be displayed in another window on the backup server.
• OK - accepts changes and closes the window
• Cancel - closes the window

• Mapping network drives using Remote Commands
• Local commands

Fig. 2.1 FBS Server - Replication.

• Replication (Replication mode):
  • Automatic – the replication will be performed automatically when backup and verification operations are completed.
  • Schedule – the replication will be performed according to a schedule defined by the administrator
  • Manual – the replication will be performed on demand only (Replicate now button)
• Choose Tasks - this opens a window in which you can choose which backup tasks should be replicated. Replication can be switched off for selected backup tasks, switched on for all backups or for full backups only (see also: Periodical full backup).
• Set Schedule - here the user can schedule replications. Replications can be performed at a preset time based on one of the following patterns: daily, every number of days, every number of hours, on selected days of the week. This option is only active when the replication mode is set to "Schedule".
• Replicate now - this will replicate all backups included in backup tasks selected for replication. This is only active when the replication mode is set to "Manual".
  • Writing simulation - this will check that the replication settings are correct and the drives are ready. This command will perform all activities involved in the replication of backups except the actual copying, deleting, writing and marking replicated backups.
• Next replication - here the user can choose the next scheduled time of replication. This option is only active when the replication mode is set to "Schedule".
• Events - an extract from the Event Log describing replication events for the selected drive type.

• Workstation – a drop-down list where you can select the computer to view or unpack files from. The name of the workstation can be selected from the list or entered by typing. The list includes the names of computers which are defined in the System (they are displayed in the Backup tab) or were defined (have been removed and no longer appear in the Backup tab) but their FBF directory containing ZIP files are on the server. You can thus restore information from currently defined workstations and from workstations which are no longer connected to the System.
  
  
  
  
  Fig. 3.1 FBS Server - Restore.
  
  After selecting a workstation a list of available backup files will be displayed in a field below.
  
  
• Available backup files – this shows a list of available backup files for a selected workstation. Each item specifies date and time of file creation. The number of items in this field corresponds to the number of backup files currently stored on the server. If no backups have been performed for a workstation, the field will be empty. Here you can choose, by selecting only one item, which data (from which day) he/she wants to view. It is thus possible to restore data not only from the last backup copy but also data from a specific date.
  
  After selecting an item from the list, a directory tree will appear in the right-hand window showing a list of backup files.
  
  
• Directory tree – a list specifying file names, extensions, sizes and backup dates. After selecting a directory or a file, the Unpack button above becomes active. Please note that if a large number of differential backup files from your workstation are stored on the server, building a directory tree might take a while.
  
  
• Restore... – use this to unpack (extract) selected files or directories from ZIP archives. After clicking on Restore a window will pop up in which you need to enter a destination path for the selected files or directories.
  
  
  
  
  Fig. 3.2 FBS Server - Restore -Unpack.
  
  The selected elements will be saved in the designated location and the original directory structure will be preserved. If you select the “Create drive letter directory” option, a drive letter directory will be added to the original path.
  
  See below for an example of unpacking contents of C:\Program Files\ to F: with and without “Create drive letter directory” on.
  
  

  Original path	Destination path with “Create drive letter directory” on	Destination path with “Create drive letter directory” off
  C:\Program Files\	F:\C\Program Files\	F:\Program Files\

  
  
  
  See also:
  Restoring operating system or entire disk partition from backup copy

• Computer name (server) - NetBIOS or DNS of the computer on which the FBS Server is running (see: Backup server).
• IP address - Internet Protocol (IP) address of the computer on which the FBS Server is running
• Launch – date and time of TCP server launch
• Status – current status of TCP server
• Active connections - number work stations connected with server. The number of connections in progress (when the server and a workstation are still negotiating a connection) can be displayed in brackets.
• Inactive connections - number work stations defined in the Backup tab which have not established connections with the server.
• Maximum number of connections – the maximum number of remote computers that can connect to the server. Maximum number of connections depends on a license purchased (number of stations). In the evaluation version it is 2, which means that only 2 workstations. Exceeding the connection limit by installing the FBS Worker on more workstations than permitted in the license will shut down the TCP server.
• Download rate - displays the current rate at which data is being downloaded from workstations

Fig. 4.1 FBS Server - Network monitor.

• Name - NetBIOS or DNS of the workstation
• IP address - Internet Protocol (IP) address of the workstation
• FBS Worker version – version of the FBS Worker software installed on the workstation.

• Launch – launches the TCP server. The TCP server is launched and waits on port 4531 for incoming connections initiated automatically by the FBS Worker software installed on workstations. The Launch command is executed automatically when the FBS Server is run.
• Stop – this disconnects all workstations and shuts down the TCP server. This command is initiated automatically when the FBS Server software is stopped.

• Event type (icon) – specifies the event type. Three types are available: error, warning, notification
• Station – name of the workstation or server component (marked with “*”)
• Time – date and time of event
• Task – backup task name (or empty)
• Event – event description (message)
  
  
  
  
  Fig. 5.1 FBS Server - Event log.
  
  

• Track events – if you turn this on, the event list will be scrolled automatically to the last logged event. Turning it off will enable you to view the whole history of logged events. If you do not analyze the contents of the event log, it is recommended to switch this off to reduce server load.
• Clear - clears the whole event history saved in the database. Events will be removed when the FBS Server is launched again. It is recommended to clear the event log regularly to increase system performance.
• Export – exports the event log to a text file (SQL). This is useful when the software developer’s technical support wants to inspect the operation of the system.

Fig. 7.1 FBS Server - Settings.

• Main Backup Location – this field should specify the full path of the backup copy (ZIP files) location. If the specified directory does not exist, it will be created automatically on the first reference to that directory. If the path is invalid (it points to a missing drive or contains invalid characters), an error message will be shown and the server will be stopped. The directory will include FBF subdirectories for all workstations.
  The main backup storage location can be changed in the Workstation Settings window, setting a different path for each backup task (different hard disk or disk array).
  In order to ensure adequate performance, the backup storage directory should be located on a local hard disk or an internal disk array (RAID). Using network disks is not recommended. A network disk can be used as an additional storage location. For details see: Replicate.
• Software updates on workstations – this is to turn on or off automatic updates of the FBS Worker software for workstations. If an update of the FBS Worker software for workstations is available, it only needs to be installed on the server. The current FBS Worker version means the latest workstation software version available (installed) on the server.
• Minimize to tray – after minimizing the main window the application icon will be placed in the system tray.
• Minimize on startup - after startup the application will be automatically minimized to the taskbar or system tray
• Do not allow shutdown if server is running – prevents accidental application shutdown
• Limit network load – you can set the maximum network load here.
• Maximum number of Event Log entries – use this option to limit the amount of information stored in the Event Log and so reduce the FBS Server launch time.
• Administrative alerts... - opens the administrative alerts management dialog.
  
  
  
  
  Fig. 7.2 FBS Server - Settings - Administrative Alerts.
  
  Administrative alerts are notifications including reports or events which can be scheduled to be sent to designated email addresses or web servers. See: FTPUSE command).
  • Alert – alert name
  • Type – alert type
  • For – alert time and duration
  • Schedule – alert schedule
  • Send to – email address or target directory (located, for example, on a web server)
  • Add – creates new alert
  • Delete – deletes selected alert
  • Send now – use this to test current settings.
  
  
  
• Encryption passwords... - opens a dialog for the management of archive encryption and decryption passwords.
  
  
  
  
  Fig. 7.3 FBS Server - Settings - Password management.
  
  The window includes a list of passwords used during backup and restore operations. The first password from the top is used to encrypt (backup) and decrypt archives (restore). Other passwords are only used during restore operations.
  Note. Deleting a password used to encrypt an archive will make subsequent restoration of information from that archive impossible.
  
  See also: Workstation settings - File encryption method
  
  
• Local commands – a list of tasks executed by the FBS Server on the backup server. Local commands extend the functionality of the FBS Server and are used as plugins. They can be used to run additional commands, scripts or applications on the backup server. Before backup you can, for example, map a network drive or an FTP server drive or stop a database server or antivirus monitor, and after backup you can restart the database and the antivirus monitor or defragment a drive.
  
  The available options are as follows:
  • Add – displays a dialog to enter a new local command
  • Change - displays a dialog to change a selected local command
  • Delete – deletes a selected local command
  
  
  A dialog in which you can enter a new local command or modify an existing local command includes the following fields and buttons:
  
  
  
  
  Fig. 7.4 FBS Server - Settings - Local Commands - edit.
  
  
  
  • Local command – defines the name of an executable file (.exe, .bat, .cmd, etc.). If necessary, enter the full path before the file name.
  • Parameters – (optional) a list of user parameters to be sent to the executable file when it is launched. The FBS Server provides additional parameters for commands connected to specific backup tasks, i.e. commands for which the Launch option was set to “Before backup” or “After backup”:
    
    Type: BEFOREBACKUP
    • Computer name
    • Task name
    • File name (ZIP file name with full path)
    
    Type: AFTERBACKUP
    • Computer name
    • Task name
    • File name (ZIP file name with full path)
    • Error code (0 – no errors)
    
    
    
  • Launch – here you can choose when to launch a local command. The following types are available:
    • Upon startup (of the FBS Server)
    • Before backup
    • After backup
  • Wait until command is completed – here you can choose whether FBS Server after launching a local command should wait for its completion before continuing with the task or not. This option should be active if any subsequent tasks depend on the completion of the remote command.
  • Test – launches a local command. The result of the local command will be displayed in another window on the backup server.
  • OK - accepts changes and closes the window
  • Cancel - closes the window
  
  DRIVE MAPPING – A local system account on which the FBS Server is installed by default does not have access privileges to network resources. Therefore it is necessary to switch the FBS Server service to an account which has such privileges (e.g. an administrator account) or to set relevant privileges for the Local system account.
  
  See also: Remote commands
  
  
  
  
  

• going to the Services console (Control panel -> Administrative tools -> Services)
• running NET START, NET STOP commands using the FBSServer parameter
• running the FBSServer.exe using the /START or /STOP parameter

User manual for the Ferro Backup System™ - Worker

;FERRO Software Ferro Backup System - Worker
;Config file
;02-02-2007


[CONNECTION]
;Description: name or IP address of a computer running FBS Server
;Comments: empty string means the host name is assigned to a local host (127.0.0.1)
HOST=localhost



;Description: TCP port, used to connect to the server
;Range: 1 - -65535
;Default: 4531
;Comments: currently this must be set to 4531.
PORT=4531



;Description: interval between subsequent server reconnect attempts
;Unit: millsecond [ms], Range: 0 (no delay) - 16777216
;Default: 4000
RECONNECTINTERVAL=4000

• CONNECTION - HOST
  This is where the name/IP address of the backup server is stored (of the computer on which the FBS Server is launched), as entered by the user during program installation. If during the use of the System the FBS Server is moved to another computer or if that computer’s name or IP address changes, the user can change the server location in this field to the correct one. Changing this field manually will have the same effect as launching the installer and reentering the name/IP address during the installation of the FBS Worker.
  
  
• CONNECTION - PORT
  Number of the TCP port used to connect to the server.
  
  
• CONNECTION - VIRTUALNAME
  Alternative name of the computer under which it will be available on the backup server. FBSServer uses names (rather than IP addresses) to identify workstations. If the local network is divided into two or more subnetworks with duplicate workstation names, only one workstation will be connected to the backup server; no subsequent workstations of the same name will be available in the FBS Server control console. In order to resolve this issue change the default name on computers with duplicate names: VIRTUALNAME=NEW_NAME
  
  Information. The computer name should not be longer than 15 characters.

• going to the Services console (Control panel -> Administrative tools -> Services)
• running NET START, NET STOP commands using the FBSWorker parameter
• running the FBSWorker.exe using the /START or /STOP parameter

• check if the FBS Worker is running in the Windows task manager (the FBSWorker.exe process)
• check that the HOST entry is correct in the FBSWorker.ini file
• check (for example using the PING command) that the computer on which the FBS Server is installed is available
• check that the TCP 4531 port is not blocked by any firewall software.