Difference between revisions of "Backup Information"

From Agency Systems Wiki
Jump to navigation Jump to search
(Created page with "It is your responsibility to insure these backups are done at intervals sufficient to minimize your risk exposure to such an event. It is also your responsibility to verify yo...")
 
 
(17 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
It is your responsibility to insure these backups are done at intervals sufficient to minimize your risk exposure to such an event. It is also your responsibility to verify your backups are working correctly.  
+
[[Category:Installation]][[Category:Third-Party Integration]]
 +
<table class="infobox" cellspacing="5" style="background-color: #FFFFFF; width:27em; text-align:left; border-spacing: 2px; line-height:1.5em;">
 +
<tr>
 +
    <td>[[File:Ic_description_black_24dp.png|link=Newton User Guide#Installation]] Newton User Guide: [[Newton User Guide#Installation|Installation]]</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
<tr style="background-color: #bdbdbd; text-align: center; font-weight:bold;">
 +
    <td>Related Pages</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
<tr>
 +
<td>
 +
<ul>
 +
<li>[[Hardware Recommendations]]</li>
 +
<li>[[Installation Environment and Network Requirements]]</li>
 +
<li>[[Pervasive Compatibility Chart]]</li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
<tr style="background-color: #d3d3d3; text-align: center; ">
 +
    <td>Related Categories</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
<tr>
 +
<td>
 +
<ul>
 +
<li>[[:Category:Installation|Installation]]</li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
</table>
 +
Creating a system backup is critical to prevent data loss in the event of a disaster.  Loss of data can occur due to a computer virus, software failure, hardware failure, theft, fire, and more. It is your responsibility to ensure the backups are done at intervals sufficient to minimize your risk exposure to such an event.  
  
You must decide with the help of your computer technician the best plan for you. There are many options at varying cost offering different degrees of risk protection. Below are a few items to consider when deciding what best meets your agency backup needs.  
+
With the help of your computer technician, you must determine the best plan for your agency. There are many options at varying costs offering different degrees of risk protection. It is also your responsibility to verify that your backups are working correctly.  
  
 
====Does Agency Systems have a backup utility built-in?====
 
====Does Agency Systems have a backup utility built-in?====
  
Agency Systems does NOT provide a backup utility. Because your hardware and software systems (independent of Agency Systems) vary, your backup systems needs vary also. The company or individual that assists you currently with your technical needs is your best source to consult.
+
Agency Systems does not provide a backup utility. Hardware and software systems (independent of Agency Systems) vary, and your backup needs will also vary. The company or individual that currently provides technical support is the best resource for outlining a customized backup plan.  
  
If you are hosted with one of our partners, backups are included.  Please contact your contracted hosting vendor for specific details on the nature of your backup.
+
If you use a hosting provider for Newton, backups of your hosted server are typically included.  Please contact your hosting vendor for specific details on the nature of your backup.
  
====What backup programs should I use?====
+
<!--==== Does Agency Systems recommend a backup service? ====
 +
<table class="infobox" cellspacing="5" style="background-color: #FFFFFF; width:27em; text-align:left; border-spacing: 2px; line-height:1.5em;">
 +
<tr style="text-align: center;">
 +
<td>[[File:Ajasentlogo.png|link=http://www.ajasent.com/contact-us]]
 +
</td>
 +
<tr style="background-color: #bdbdbd; text-align: center; font-weight:bold;">
 +
    <td>Hybrid Cloud Backup & Disaster Recovery</td>
 +
</tr>
  
There are many types available to consumers. It is best to have your technician decide what is best for your office. We do recommend commercial grade products and we recommend verifying the integrity of your backups on a regular basis. Again, your hardware consultant is your best source to certify your backups.
+
<tr>
 +
<td>
 +
<ul>
 +
<li>[[Ajasent Hosting]]</li>
 +
<li>http://www.ajasent.com/managed-services/</li>
 +
<li>http://www.ajasent.com/s/OffsiteBackup.pdf</li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</td>
 +
</tr>
  
When choosing a backup system make sure it has the ability to backup open files. Even if the system you choose does have this feature, it is a best practice to insure all users are logged out of Agency Systems when performing backups.
+
<tr style="background-color: #d3d3d3; text-align: center; ">
 +
    <td>Contact</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
 
 +
<tr>
 +
<td>
 +
<ul>
 +
<li>http://www.ajasent.com/contact-us</li>
 +
</ul>
 +
</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
</table>
 +
Yes. Our cloud hosting provider [[Ajasent Hosting|Ajasent]] can provide the same offsite data backup and disaster recovery services used by our company to all Newton by Agency Systems customers.
 +
 
 +
HYBRID CLOUD BACKUP & DISASTER RECOVERY  |  http://www.ajasent.com/managed-services/  |  http://www.ajasent.com/s/OffsiteBackup.pdf
 +
 
 +
:;Getting You Backed Up
 +
::The on-boarding experience is completely managed by qualified Ajasent engineers. Depending on the environment, an Ajasent engineer will either connect remotely or perform a local seed backup.
 +
:;Pro Active Monitoring
 +
::Do you know when most people are find problems with their backups? Right! - When they need to restore, when it is too late. Pro-active monitoring is the missing key in securing your ability to recover anything.
 +
:;Restore & Disaster Recovery Support
 +
::When something does go wrong, call us and we will make sure you can go back to work as quickly as possible. So you can relax and not worry about anything.
 +
:;Two Locations For Better Protection
 +
::Even a backup plan, should have a backup plan. Our backups have one copy onsite and one copy offsite. That way, you know you can recover, even without an Internet connection!
 +
 
 +
Contact Ajasent for additional details and to obtain a quote: http://www.ajasent.com/contact-us
 +
-->
 +
 
 +
====What backup programs are available?====
 +
 
 +
There are many different types available to consumers. It is best to have your technician decide which is best for your office.  We do recommend commercial grade products, and we recommend verifying the integrity of your backups on a regular basis.  Your hardware consultant is the best source to certify your backups.
 +
 
 +
When choosing a backup system, verify that it has the ability to back up open files. Even if the system you choose does have this feature, it is a best practice to ensure all users are logged out of Agency Systems when performing backups.
  
 
There are also automated, remote backup and disaster recovery services.
 
There are also automated, remote backup and disaster recovery services.
  
 
====What files should I backup for Agency Systems?====
 
====What files should I backup for Agency Systems?====
 +
The entire Agency Systems programs, data, images etc are all stored on the master/server machine under the "Empire" folder.
 +
 +
The \Empire\ folder contains all of the data required to perform a full system recovery.  Some of the directories within the \Empire\ folder can be excluded from a backup if space or processing time becomes an issue. 
 +
 +
'''Required Backup Folders:'''
 +
\Empire\data\*.*                  (database files)
 +
\Empire\reports\*.cst
 +
\Empire\programs\*.ini
 +
\Empire\programs\*.log
 +
 +
'''Optional Backup Folders:'''
 +
The optional folders contain the program files which do not store any agency-specific data, or archives of downloads. 
 +
It is faster to recover from a disaster if the optional folders are backed up, but not required.
 +
 +
\Empire\*.*                        (the root of the share contains installers, and possibly some configuration backup files)
 +
\Empire\dist\*.*
 +
\Empire\download\*.*              (backup of the processed download files)
 +
\Empire\forms\*.*
 +
\Empire\programs\                  (everything other than the file types listed above)
 +
\Empire\reports\                  (everything other than the file types listed above)
 +
\Empire\static\
  
Your entire Agency Systems programs, data, images etc are all stored on the master/server machine under the "Empire" folder.
+
'''Excluded Backup Folders:'''
 +
The following folders do not need to be backed up.
 +
 +
\Empire\archive\*.*                (old data backups from conversions, file recovery, or system updates)
 +
\Empire\emptmp\*.*
 +
\Empire\setup\*.*                  (extracted setup files to reinstall Newton)
  
Make sure your backup is set to include all subfolders.
+
Some backup systems perform a full backup of only the database files, with incremental or ongoing backups for the attachment directory.    Attachments are all individual, and are not as vital to be a “set” as the database files.  Attachments are by far the largest portion of your total dataset.
  
 
====How often should I backup my data?====  
 
====How often should I backup my data?====  
 +
The amount of time it takes to back up your data depends entirely on the type of backup you are performing.  If each backup is a full copy of all of your data, that could take hours.  Most backup systems perform a full backup, with additional backups being increments backing up only what has been changed.
  
You should deploy a nightly backup, and retain multiple days worth of backups.  It is your responsibility to insure you have backup procedures and equipment that meet your risk tolerance.
+
You should deploy a nightly backup, and retain multiple days worth of backups.  It is your responsibility to ensure you have backup procedures and equipment that meet your risk tolerance.
  
 
====My backup program offers "Continuous" backup service.  Should I use this option?====  
 
====My backup program offers "Continuous" backup service.  Should I use this option?====  
  
In most cases the continuous backup features will cause severer performance issues on your server, and could even cause data corruptionThis is due to many backup services will lock files during copy.  In the case of a database file it could update thousands of times a day. Thus the backup never completes, and uses up your server resources. Nightly backups after operating hours is the standard method.
+
In most cases, the continuous backup feature will cause severe performance issues on your server.  Each Agency Systems database file will update thousands of times a day preventing the the backup from completing. In addition, since many backup services will lock files during the backup process, there is a chance of data corruption.  
 +
 
 +
Nightly backups after operating hours are the standard method.
  
 
====Where should I keep my data?====
 
====Where should I keep my data?====
  
It is always best keep the backup media in multiple locations. Do not depend solely on offsite backups.  You should always have a backup copy locally.  Offsite backups are for major events such as fire, flood, or theft.
+
It is always best to keep the backup media in multiple locations. Do not depend solely on off-site backups.  You should always have a backup copy locally since off-site backups are for major events such as fire, flood, or theft.
+
 
 
====How do I know my backup is running properly?====
 
====How do I know my backup is running properly?====
  
Your local technician should be able to verify the backup is running properly for you. If you cannot be assured that all your files are backed up without error, you do not have an adequate backup solution. If you cannot routinely restore a backup successfully, you do not have an adequate backup solution.
+
Your local technician can verify that the backup is running properly for you. If you cannot be assured that all your files are backed up without error, you do not have an adequate backup solution. If you cannot routinely restore a backup successfully, you do not have an adequate backup solution.
  
It is critical to understand the restore function of your backup. A test restore of your system, perhaps to a test directory should be part of your backup solution.
+
It is critical to understand the restore function of your backup. A test restore of your system, perhaps to a test directory, should be part of your backup solution.
  
 
====What happens if my backup is not complete and I need to restore?====
 
====What happens if my backup is not complete and I need to restore?====
  
Although we have utilities that may help in recovering data, the best solution is to restore from a previous backup. There will be charges if we are involved in a data recovery process where adequate backups were not available. Remember, it is your responsibility to insure backups are performed and are working correctly.
+
Although we have utilities that may help in recovering data, the best solution is to restore from a previous backup. Remember, it is your responsibility to ensure backups are performed and are working correctly.
 +
 
 +
'''There may be charges if we are involved in a data recovery process where adequate backups were not available.'''
  
In the event your data files are compromised due to hardware, virus, or operating system failure, or a disaster, your backups will be required. They should immediately be secured and made available. Of course we will assist you and your technician to insure you are going again with as little downtime as possible.
+
In the event your data files are compromised due to hardware, virus, or operating system failure, or a disaster, your backups will be required. They should immediately be secured and made available. We will assist you and your technician to ensure you are back to work again with as little downtime as possible.

Latest revision as of 18:57, 29 September 2022

Ic description black 24dp.png Newton User Guide: Installation
Related Pages
Related Categories

Creating a system backup is critical to prevent data loss in the event of a disaster. Loss of data can occur due to a computer virus, software failure, hardware failure, theft, fire, and more. It is your responsibility to ensure the backups are done at intervals sufficient to minimize your risk exposure to such an event.

With the help of your computer technician, you must determine the best plan for your agency. There are many options at varying costs offering different degrees of risk protection. It is also your responsibility to verify that your backups are working correctly.

Does Agency Systems have a backup utility built-in?

Agency Systems does not provide a backup utility. Hardware and software systems (independent of Agency Systems) vary, and your backup needs will also vary. The company or individual that currently provides technical support is the best resource for outlining a customized backup plan.

If you use a hosting provider for Newton, backups of your hosted server are typically included. Please contact your hosting vendor for specific details on the nature of your backup.


What backup programs are available?

There are many different types available to consumers. It is best to have your technician decide which is best for your office. We do recommend commercial grade products, and we recommend verifying the integrity of your backups on a regular basis. Your hardware consultant is the best source to certify your backups.

When choosing a backup system, verify that it has the ability to back up open files. Even if the system you choose does have this feature, it is a best practice to ensure all users are logged out of Agency Systems when performing backups.

There are also automated, remote backup and disaster recovery services.

What files should I backup for Agency Systems?

The entire Agency Systems programs, data, images etc are all stored on the master/server machine under the "Empire" folder.

The \Empire\ folder contains all of the data required to perform a full system recovery. Some of the directories within the \Empire\ folder can be excluded from a backup if space or processing time becomes an issue.

Required Backup Folders:
\Empire\data\*.*                   (database files)
\Empire\reports\*.cst
\Empire\programs\*.ini
\Empire\programs\*.log
Optional Backup Folders:
The optional folders contain the program files which do not store any agency-specific data, or archives of downloads.  
It is faster to recover from a disaster if the optional folders are backed up, but not required.

\Empire\*.*                        (the root of the share contains installers, and possibly some configuration backup files)
\Empire\dist\*.*
\Empire\download\*.*               (backup of the processed download files)
\Empire\forms\*.*
\Empire\programs\                  (everything other than the file types listed above)
\Empire\reports\                   (everything other than the file types listed above)
\Empire\static\
Excluded Backup Folders:
The following folders do not need to be backed up. 

\Empire\archive\*.*                (old data backups from conversions, file recovery, or system updates)
\Empire\emptmp\*.*
\Empire\setup\*.*                  (extracted setup files to reinstall Newton)

Some backup systems perform a full backup of only the database files, with incremental or ongoing backups for the attachment directory. Attachments are all individual, and are not as vital to be a “set” as the database files. Attachments are by far the largest portion of your total dataset.

How often should I backup my data?

The amount of time it takes to back up your data depends entirely on the type of backup you are performing. If each backup is a full copy of all of your data, that could take hours. Most backup systems perform a full backup, with additional backups being increments backing up only what has been changed.

You should deploy a nightly backup, and retain multiple days worth of backups. It is your responsibility to ensure you have backup procedures and equipment that meet your risk tolerance.

My backup program offers "Continuous" backup service. Should I use this option?

In most cases, the continuous backup feature will cause severe performance issues on your server. Each Agency Systems database file will update thousands of times a day preventing the the backup from completing. In addition, since many backup services will lock files during the backup process, there is a chance of data corruption.

Nightly backups after operating hours are the standard method.

Where should I keep my data?

It is always best to keep the backup media in multiple locations. Do not depend solely on off-site backups. You should always have a backup copy locally since off-site backups are for major events such as fire, flood, or theft.

How do I know my backup is running properly?

Your local technician can verify that the backup is running properly for you. If you cannot be assured that all your files are backed up without error, you do not have an adequate backup solution. If you cannot routinely restore a backup successfully, you do not have an adequate backup solution.

It is critical to understand the restore function of your backup. A test restore of your system, perhaps to a test directory, should be part of your backup solution.

What happens if my backup is not complete and I need to restore?

Although we have utilities that may help in recovering data, the best solution is to restore from a previous backup. Remember, it is your responsibility to ensure backups are performed and are working correctly.

There may be charges if we are involved in a data recovery process where adequate backups were not available.

In the event your data files are compromised due to hardware, virus, or operating system failure, or a disaster, your backups will be required. They should immediately be secured and made available. We will assist you and your technician to ensure you are back to work again with as little downtime as possible.