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Setting Up Your Backups

How to use the Time Navigator Agent User Interface

Once the Time Navigator Agent has been installed, the user must define the data to be backed up. Definition of classes (choosing which data will be backed up) is accomplished through the Restore & Archive Manager:

To launch the Time Navigator Restore & Archive Manager complete the following steps:

  • Click the Start Menu
  • Navigate to Programs ("All Programs" in Windows XP) -> Time Navigator (tina) & left-click on Restore & Archive Manager

If done correctly, the Restore & Archive Manager will appear as follows:

Basic Concepts

In order to backup data, the following settings must be configured:

  • a Backup Strategy
  • a Backup Class

Backup Strategy

Backup strategies are predetermined settings that are used to schedule automatic backups and the type of backup to be performed. These strategies are referred to by the letters A, B, C and D and are managed by the Time Navigator server. A backup strategy must be set with CUBE support staff in order to schedule backups. Strategies cannot be modified or viewed from the User Interface of Time Navigator.

Standard Backup Strategy

CUBE Backup Services reserves "Strategy A" to define its standard backup strategy. This strategy specifies where incremental and synthetic full backups are stored and the period of retention. See below for more details.

Backup Class

Backup classes are used to define the folders to be backed up, as well and the hours and the conditions under which these folders are backed up. Backup classes are setup from the User Interface of Time Navigator and can be modified and viewed by the User.

A class is defined in the User Interface file tree and is represented by a small green ball on the left of the folder.

Backup Types

First Full Backup: This is the first transmission of data to the Time Navigator Server. It contains all of the "Backup Classes" that were defined to be backed up. The first "Full Backup" is performed as a part of the installation process.

Incremental Backup: The Time Navigator Agent detects any changes in the defined backup classes and backs up only what has changed since the last backup. This is done on a regular schedule of the user's choosing and is an essential operation. Incremental backups are usually retained for 28 days or 4 weeks.

Synthetic Full Backup: A Synthetic Full Backup is a network-less, full backup that does not use bandwidth but is, instead, a compilation of the last 28 days of incremental backups. This backup is retained for 56 days (8 weeks) and is extremely cost-effective as it is performed within the Time Navigator server, not over the Internet.

Defining Backup Classes

A backup class must be associated with at least one backup strategy. To define a backup class:

  1. Launch the Time Navigator User Interface
  2. Login using YOUR username and password
  3. Select a folder in the file tree view
  4. Highlight the desired folder by left-clicking
  5. Navigate to the menu Backup -> Class -> Edit

If done correctly, the Define Backup Class window is displayed.

To designate class settings:

  1. Deselect all strategies EXCEPT Strategy A
  2. Under the Time Phases tab, ensure all times have a green check mark on the left side. If no check mark is present, select time slot and click the Activate button
  3. Under the Format tab, ensure both Compressed and Encoded are selected
  4. Once the above settings are complete, press OK to define the backup class
  5. Success is indicated by a green ball being displayed next to the defined folder

Please Note: These steps can be repeated on any folders that require backing up.