Any company, large or small, depends on continuous and reliable protection against data loss. The Backup Manager is a feature-rich tool with an easy interface that lets users set up automatic data backup in their systems. This is done by creating copies of user data. By default, backup copies are saved to the Cloud. They can also be saved to a private data center (for “software-only” partners). An additional copy can be maintained in a local directory (LocalSpeedVault).

What can be backed up

Using the Backup Manager, you can back up data from the following locations:

• local disks
• removable storage drives mounted as fixed drives (Windows and Linux)
• local network resources

There are some peculiarities concerning different states of a file.

• Although open files are almost always processed correctly during backups, we recommend closing all files before a backup session starts to be completely sure all data remains fully consistent. At the same time open files belonging to MS SQL, MS Exchange, MS Hyper-V and MS SharePoint data sources are always backed up in the consistent state with the help of the Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service.
• Encrypted files can be backed up on all of the supported operating systems. However, Windows users who have an older version of the Backup Manager (15.8 or earlier) should back up encrypted files under the same user account that was used to create these files (this is due to Windows encryption policy). To configure access to this account, go to Preferences > Advanced > Alternative user for backup.
• Archived files are also backed up on Windows, Mac and Linux. All common types of archives are supported. Please note that you needn’t archive your files for backup purposes (it will be done automatically in a most resource-saving way).

Some files are automatically excluded from backup on Windows:

1. Files from the Backup Manager installation folder.
2. All files indicated in the registry subkey HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\BackupRestore\FilesNotToBackup. Typical examples: \Pagefile.sys, \hiberfil.sys and %TEMP%\* /s
3. Files matching the following masks:
   • *\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\*
   • ?:\RECYCLER
   • ?:\System Volume Information
   • ?:\swapfile.sys
   • ?:\pagefile.sys
   • ?:\hiberfil.sys
   • *\AppData\Local\Temp\* (on Windows Vista and Windows 7)
   • *\Local Settings\Temp\* (on Windows XP)

Backup instructions

1. Configure backup selection

Firstly, you should specify what you want to back up. This is done on the Backup tab in the Backup Manager.

Each type of data is handled as a separate data source, such as “Files and Folders”, “Network shares”, “Oracle”, “MySQL” and others. This is done to ensure that complex systems such as databases, virtual machines and content management systems can continue working properly after recovery.

You will find the list of data sources grouped into categories:

1. Protected sources. These are the data sources that have been backed up at least once on the current device.
2. Detected sources. These data sources are present on your computer so you can include them into your backup selection straight away.
3. Available sources. These are the remaining data sources supported by your backup device. You should install or configure them to enable data backup for them.

To add a data source to your backup selection, click the Add button next to its name.

Then select the files, folders or components (such as databases, virtual disks and so on) that should be backed up. Here is an example for the “Files and Folders” data source.

You can let the Backup Manager help you choose data for backup. The feature is called Automatic File Selection (available starting from version 15.0).

To make sure all necessary data has been included into your backup selection, click on the name of the data source.

If you clear your backup selection afterwards, you’ll be offered to remove all backup copies of these files from the Cloud. The action is irreversible.

2. Start backup

Option A: Start a one-time backup

A backup can be initiated manually at any time. Open the Backup tab and click Run backup.

 

Note that the Run backup button is unavailable until at least one data source is configured for backup.

The duration of the backup process depends on the size of your backup selection, the data transfer speed and the performance of your computer.

Option B (recommended): Enable regular backups

It is most convenient to set up a backup schedule and let backups run automatically without your interference. Note that your computer should be turned on during backups and shouldn’t enter the sleep mode.

Here is how to enable automatic backups:

1. Go to Preferences > Schedule.
2. Click Add schedule.
3. Select pre- and post-backup scripts (optional).
4. Set the time when the backup should start (your local time is used).
5. Choose the days on which the backup should start.
6. Choose the data sources that should be backed up according to the current schedule. If a data source you need doesn’t appear in the list, it means that it isn’t supported by your OS or isn’t available on your backup device due to the terms of service.
7. Click Save to apply the changes.

There are several ways to manage existing backup schedules:

• Edit a schedule. Click on the name of the schedule (if it’s minimized) and edit the settings. The changes will be applied starting from the next backup session.
• Disable a schedule. Unselect the checkbox next to the name of a schedule. No backups will be performed according to this schedule until the checkbox is selected again.
• Remove a schedule. Click the Remove icon next to the name of a schedule and confirm your intention to remove the schedule. This will not affect any of the data that has been previously backed up according to this schedule.

Helpful settings

• Backup dashboards. You can set up the delivery of email reports on the statuses of recent backup sessions and the amount of storage used (Preferences > General > Backup dashboard settings).
• Backup session archiving. As you regularly back up your data, a series of backup sessions accumulates in the Cloud. After a certain period, older sessions are cleaned to free storage space. If needed, you can keep selected backup sessions in the storage after their retention period expires.
• Alternative user for backup. The Backup Manager normally accesses your data under the LocalSystem account. Although this account has extensive access privileges, some files and directories can be restricted to it. In such cases it helps to log in as a system administrator or as the most frequent user (the solution works for the “Files and Folders” data source). To enter access credentials for the alternative account, go to Preferences > Advanced > Alternative user for backup.
• Bandwidth limitation. You can specify how much bandwidth the Backup Manager can use during backups (Preferences > Performance).
• LocalSpeedVault (for hybrid backup). This feature lets you create a backup copy on a local drive or a network share. This helps speed up backup and recovery processes and lets backup and recovery sessions run uninterruptedly in case of Internet connection issues.
• Backup filters. You can automatically exclude certain directories or types of files from backup. This is done using exclusion filters (Preferences > Backup filters).