How do I backup my Database?
By George Hingle, Technical Support Representative
Let’s face it, despite all the advancements in computer hardware and software in the last decade, computers are still unreliable. That’s why Computrols offers computers with redundant hard drives configured with RAID Level 1. Still, the importance of frequent backups cannot be overstated.
Here are some best practices for backing up the database:
- Do a backup before and after making database changes
- Setup Automated Backups, a new feature
- Back up the graphics folder manually
- Copy backups to CD, floppy, and over the network to the GW
- Maintain offsite backups
- Keep all software and driver disks handy
- GW as backup
Whenever making changes to the database, such as adding points, adding channels, adding users, or major logic changes, it is a good idea to do a backup before and after. If something unexpected happens, sometimes the only way to recover is to restore the backup and start over. Backup database is located in the System menu. Backups can be made to the hard drive or to a floppy, and it is best to keep all the boxes checked under “Include in Backup.” Manual backups can be done in Real or Editor Mode.
Automated Backup, implemented in version 1.5.23, is located on the System Menu under Database Maintenance, Automated Backup. From there you can select to backup on certain days of the week, on the 1st of the month, and the 15th of the month. You can select the time for the backup to occur, in military time. Click on the Browse button to choose a location to write backups to. (Probably the Backups folder)
When you do a backup in CBAS, whether manual or automatic, the actual pictures are not backed up, only the links, labels and points you create. It is a good idea to make a manual backup of the pictures also. Generally, the pictures are contained in a folder called Graphics, located in the database folder in C:CBAS (or C:CBAS 2000, in CBAS versions before 2.X.X). Backup the entire Graphics folder.
Most backups will fit on a floppy disk, because the data is compressed. CBAS computers now come with a CD Writer standard, so periodically you can copy the entire database and the Backups folder to CD. Keep a copy onsite and a copy offsite. You can also copy the entire database folder and Backups to a workstation over the network through Windows “My Network Places” or “Network Neighborhood.”
In case of a real disaster, periodically store some backups offsite.
In case of a major computer hardware failure, keep all software and driver disks that came with the computer. This will facilitate reinstallation if it comes down to that.
One of the best things about having a Graphic Workstation is that it can be converted to a DPU when needed. In the case of older systems with CI1 boards in the DPU, it was a little harder to convert a GW to a DPU. But with TCP/IP controllers hosting all the 485 channels, the GW can be converted to DPU in a matter of minutes. That’s why it is good to keep a copy of the database folder on the GW.
*RAID Level 1: Redundant Array of Independent Disks. Level 1: Mirroring. Data written to hard drive is written to two drives simultaneously, ensuring an up to the minute backup.
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