3.4 KiB
Backup Management Guide
Overview
The Backup Manager helps you protect your important files by archiving them to secure server storage. Regular backups ensure business continuity and data protection.
Features
Automated Backups
- Schedule automatic backups at regular intervals
- Archive files based on age criteria
- Maintain backup rotation policies
Manual Backups
- On-demand backup of specific files or folders
- Selective backup based on file types
- Priority backup for critical data
Restore Operations
- Browse archived files by date
- Restore individual files or entire folders
- Preview files before restoration
How to Use
Running a Backup
To start a backup, you can:
- Say "Run backup now" or select the backup option
- Specify which files or folders to back up
- Confirm the backup operation
Viewing Archived Files
To see your backup history:
- Say "View archived files" or "List backups"
- Browse by date or file name
- Select files to view details or restore
Restoring Files
To restore from backup:
- Say "Restore a file" or select restore option
- Search for the file by name or date
- Confirm the restoration location
Backup Best Practices
Frequency Recommendations
| Data Type | Recommended Frequency |
|---|---|
| Critical business data | Daily |
| Documents and files | Weekly |
| System configurations | Before changes |
| Archives and logs | Monthly |
What to Back Up
Always include:
- Business documents
- Customer data
- Financial records
- Configuration files
- Email archives
Consider excluding:
- Temporary files
- Cache directories
- Downloaded installers
- Duplicate files
Storage and Retention
Retention Policies
- Daily backups: Kept for 7 days
- Weekly backups: Kept for 4 weeks
- Monthly backups: Kept for 12 months
- Annual backups: Kept for 7 years
Storage Locations
Backups are stored on:
- Primary: Secure server storage
- Secondary: Offsite replication (if configured)
Data Integrity
Verification
All backups include:
- MD5 checksums for integrity verification
- File count validation
- Size comparison checks
Monitoring
The system logs:
- Backup start and completion times
- Files included in each backup
- Any errors or warnings
- Storage utilization
Troubleshooting
Common Issues
Backup fails to start:
- Check storage space availability
- Verify file permissions
- Ensure no files are locked
Restore not finding files:
- Verify the backup date range
- Check file name spelling
- Ensure the backup completed successfully
Slow backup performance:
- Reduce backup scope
- Schedule during off-peak hours
- Check network connectivity
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does a backup take? A: Depends on data volume. Initial backups take longer; subsequent backups are incremental.
Q: Can I backup while working? A: Yes, the system handles file locking gracefully.
Q: Where are backups stored? A: On the configured server storage with optional offsite replication.
Q: How do I know if backups are working? A: Check backup status or ask "Backup status" to see recent backup logs.
Q: Can I exclude certain files? A: Yes, specify exclusion patterns when configuring backups.
Support
For backup-related issues:
- Check the backup logs for error details
- Verify storage availability
- Contact your system administrator