The Backup Accelerator makes it faster to back up changes in large files. The feature is enabled by the service provider (or system administrator) and doesn’t require any set-up by end users. It works for multiple data sources: Files and Folders, Hyper-V, Microsoft Exchange, Microsoft SQL, and Microsoft SharePoint.
The following versions of Windows are supported:
- Windows 7
- Windows 8 / 8.1
- Windows Server 2008 R2
- Windows Server 2012 / 2012 R2
How to enable the Backup Accelerator (instructions for system administrators and service providers)
Service providers and system administrators can manage access to the Backup Accelerator feature through a current version of the Cloud Management Console (15.0 or later).
To enable the feature on a backup device, you should create a product with the “Backup Accelerator” option enabled (view product management instructions). Assign this product to an existing device or create a new device with the new product. Forward the access details for it to your partner company or to an end user directly.
How the Backup Accelerator works
The Backup Accelerator keeps a detailed journal of file content changes in-between backup sessions. When a new backup session starts, the file versions in the Cloud are promptly updated as there’s no need to re-scan all of the content.
Your computer should be on to keep the Backup Accelerator active. If you reboot your computer or stop the Backup FP (a functional process behind the Backup Manager), then the next backup session will not benefit from the Backup Accelerator technology. When that session is completed, a new journal of file changes will be created and the feature will be re-activated. You can close the app in a browser as often as needed without any difference to the Backup Accelerator.
If a file has at least one hard link, changes within that file are processed in the standard way (without the involvement of the Backup Accelerator). Hard link processing is going to be added in one of the upcoming versions.
Customizing settings for the Backup Accelerator (for advanced users)
The Backup Accelerator handles files of over 5 GB with the following formats: .vhdx, .vhd, .avhdx, .avhd, .ldf, .mdf, .ndf, .vmdk, .ova, .vdi, .edb, .stm, .pst, .ost. To add more formats or to change the minimum file size, you should attach /settings.html#/settings/backupaccelerator) to the Backup Manager URL in your browser and refresh the page. Here is an example of a new URL: http://localhost:5000/settings.html#/settings/backupaccelerator
A hidden menu item will open (Preferences > Backup Accelerator).
Here are some tips to help you with the settings.
- Minimum file size. Use a value lower than 5 GB only if you have many files matching the criteria (for example, 15 files of 2 GB each). The smallest supported value is 1 GB.
- File masks. The following wildcard characters are supported: *, ?, sets: [a-z], ! negation. File paths are also supported, for example F:\data\*.VHD. *.* is not supported. The feature doesn’t work for video and music files (they don’t normally change). That is why the following file extensions aren’t supported: .avi, .flv, .flac, .mp4, .mpeg, .mkv, .mov, .ts2, .mpg, .vob, .asf, .wmv, .wma, .ogg.
When you finish editing the settings, save the changes and perform a backup (or let it start automatically according to a schedule). During that backup session, full content will be scanned for changes (same as before). After the session is completed, the Backup Accelerator will start working. Hope you enjoy increased backup speed.