Setting up system state backup

The Windows system state is your computer's set of system-specific configuration components. When you create a standard backup policy you have the option to select the Backup system state files check box. This creates a separate backup policy with the same schedule as the current backup policy you are creating. Alternatively, if an existing standard backup policy is available then it can be edited to create a system state backup policy using the same schedule as the original.

Specify system state backup for only one policy. All other policies will then show that the system state is being backed up by another policy (The Backup system state files checkbox, in the Backup Configuration page of a standard policy, is ticked to indicate that system state is being backed up by another policy). When Backup system state files is selected, Server Vaulting locates and backs up all components of your computer's system state.

Important: 
If you do not back up system state and the system volume, you will not be able to restore your computer following a disaster. 
Be aware that system state recovery will only work if recovering to the same computer or to an identical computer (server) with identical operating system and patches. 
System state backup is not supported by Microsoft SBS (Small Business Server) operating systems.

Windows system state components

For a Windows computer, Server Vaulting backs up the set of system components, as defined by Microsoft, which collectively define the state of a Windows system. This includes the following components: 

• Active Directory directory service, if the computer has Active Directory installed.
• Disk quotas. Server Vaulting treats this as part of System State; it is not part of System State as defined by Microsoft.
• COM+ Class Registration database.
• Boot files and system files (including the System File Protection database, all other system file protection files, Internet Information Services (IIS) database, and Performance Counter Configuration).
• Certificate Services database (if the Certificate Service is running on the computer).
• SYSVOL directory (if the computer is running the SYSVOL service).
• Registry.

Note:
Server Vaulting backs up the Windows system state data as a group; you cannot back up individual components or control which components will be backed up.

Setting up system state backup

Logging in to the LiveVault Portal

To login to the LiveVault Portal,

1. Open an internet browser, such as Internet Explorer.
2. In the address bar, enter the web portal address https://backupdirect.onlinebackup.com  and click return.

The Backup Direct Welcome page appears.

3. Enter your Login name, which was provided in your registration email.
4. Enter your Password, which you will have created during the registration process.
5. Click Login.

The home page for the LiveVault Portal appears.

The system state backup policy must be created from within a standard backup policy. It will use the same schedule as the standard policy, but will backup Windows system state components. If a standard backup policy already exists then a system state backup policy can easily be derived from it. If no standard backup policy exists then it will be necessary to create a new standard backup policy and, while doing so, create a system state backup policy too.

To create a system state policy from an existing standard backup policy proceed to, Creating a system state backup policy based on an existing standard backup policy.

To create a system state policy when no standard backup policy exists proceed to, Creating a system state backup policy when there is currently no standard policy to base it on.

Creating a system state backup policy based on an existing standard backup policy

To create a system state backup policy from an existing standard backup policy then, from the LiveVault Portal Home page,

1. In the left hand pane, locate the computer (server) associated with the backup policy to be modified, then left click on the computer name.

The Summary page opens.

2. Select the Backup tab.

The Backup page opens.

3. In the Backup tab, click edit policy.

The Backup Configuration page opens.

4. Tick the Back up system state files checkbox.

Note:
If the Back up system state files box is already ticked then a system state backup policy already exists.

5. Click Next.

The Review backup configuration page opens.

6. The Review backup configuration page shows a summary of all your standard backup policies. Confirm that the statement, System state backup: Policy "System State" will be created to protect system state (no more often than once every 24 hours), is present.
7. Click Done.

The system state backup policy will now be created. It will follow the same schedule and options as the standard backup policy that it was created from.

Creating a system state backup policy when there is currently no standard policy to base it on

To create a system state backup policy when no standard backup policy exists, then it is necessary to create a new standard backup policy and, during the setup, create a system state backup policy.

Note:
Cloud Direct recommends breaking up, or segmenting, your backup selection into logical chunks, each backed up by its own separate policy (For example, Exchange, or 15GB of image files, would each have their own policy). This aids administering or running your backup process, and also makes backup and restore more reliable.

Select a server to backup

The first step in creating a new standard backup policy is to select the server requiring data to be backed up and therefore requiring a standard backup policy. The left hand box on the home page shows a list of computers (servers) which have the LiveVault agent installed.

1. Left click on the computer name and icon to administer an individual machine. This is the machine with data to be backed up where we will create a standard backup policy.

The New Computer Wizard window appears (see note below).

Note:
If a backup policy has been installed previously on this computer (server), then the New Computer Wizard will not open and you should skip steps 2 and 3 of this procedure and move to "Creating a standard backup policy" below.

Note:
You are given the option to change the computer name, but Cloud Direct recommends you retain the default which is populated from your local computer name.

2. Select the required subscription option.

Note:
If you are unsure which option to select please contact our support team

3. Click Save.

The LiveVault Portal then communicates with the agent installed on the server.

Create a standard backup policy

To create a new standard backup policy then, from the LiveVault Portal Home page, Backup tab,

1. Click Add new Standard Policy.
2. The name field displays New Backup Policy. Rename this to something meaningful for future reference (E.g. Head Office Data Backup).

3. Click Change Name to complete the change of name.

Selecting files to backup

To select files to protect with this policy, use the folder structure tree in the left hand pane to navigate through folders on the computer.

4. Click on the desired folder name to bring up its file contents in the central window.
5. View and individually select, or deselect, files by using the tick boxes next to the individual files or folders in the central pane. Build a custom, item-by-item, backup selection to protect only the desired files by ticking only the files you want to backup.

6. Click on the computer name in the left hand pane to return to the overview level

Note:
You can select a whole drive for backup, but Cloud Direct do not recommend backing up the whole drive if it contains a large amount of data (50GB+).

7. Tick the Back up system state files checkbox.

This will ensure a system state backup policy is created. It will follow the same schedule as the standard backup policy that it was created from.

Scheduling backups

To schedule backups of selected data,

8. Click the Schedule tab.

The scheduling page opens

9. Click on the drop-down list to see available backup schedule options.

10. Select the required backup schedule option.

Configuring additional options

Once you have completed your scheduling you can move onto configuring additional options

11. Click the Options tab.

The option page opens.

12. Configure the following options as required.
    1. Use the Retention Policy drop-down menu to select the appropriate retention policy for your selected data
    2. The options, Program to run before each backup and Program to run after each backup, may be used if you are confident with the program function and understand how it may affect your server and backups. Otherwise please leave this blank, or contact the Cloud Direct Support Team if you are unsure.
    3. Ticking the Disable this policy checkbox will disable the policy and cease file backup.
13. Click Next to process your changes.

Confirming the policy

The Review backup configuration page opens.

14. The Review backup configuration page shows a summary of all your standard backup policies. Confirm that the statement, System state backup: Policy "System State" will be created to protect system state (no more often than once every 24 hours), is present.
15. Click Done.

Along with the standard backup policy, the system state backup policy will now be created. It will follow the same schedule and options as the standard backup policy that it was created from.

Editing the system state backup policy

To edit the schedule of the system state backup, locate the System State policy on the Backup tab, and click the edit policy link.