Backup Database

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 now with redundant hard drives, sometimes configured with RAID Level 1*. Still, when considering the stability of your automation system, the importance of frequent backups cannot be overstated.

Here are some best practices for backing up the database:

1.Do a backup before and after making database changes

2.Set up Automated Backups, a new feature

3.Back up the graphics folder manually

4.Copy backups to CD, floppy, and over the network to the GW

5.Keep some backups off site

6.Keep all software and driver disks handy

7.GW as backup

Creating A 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 on 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.”

Automated Backup

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—See below). On computers with a second hard drive, it is a good idea to make automated backups to the second drive. When you do this, a backup will still be made to the Backups folder on the primary drive. A USB Flash Drive can also be chosen as the location for backups.

Manual Backup

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. You can also backup the entire database folder when doing this.

•Most backups will fit on a floppy disk, because the data is compressed.

•CBAS computers now come with a CD-RW standard, so periodically copy the entire database and the Backups folder to a CD.

•You can also copy the entire database folder and Backups to a workstation over the network through Windows “My Network Places” or “Network Neighborhood.”

•Keep a copy on site and a copy off site.

•Make backups to a USB Flash Drive. Servers come with USB ports on the front and back of the case.

•In case of a major computer hardware failure, keep all software and driver disks that came with the computer handy. This will facilitate reinstallation if it comes down to that.

Workstation as a Backup

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 RS-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 is written to two drives simultaneously, ensuring an up to the minute backup.

Restoring A Backup

If you are restoring a backup from another computer, place the backup file in C:\CBAS\Backups folder using Windows Explorer. If you already have a database open, you will have to close it in order to restore a database. To do this, go to the System Menu and click on Close Database. Now you will only have Database and System on the Main Menu. From here, select Database and then Restore Database. The Restore Options window will then open.

The first line is Backup File and in most cases you will find that this line already lists the directory and file name of your most recent backup file saved to the hard drive. If you backed up your database to other media such as a floppy disk or CD, you will have to manually select the file path and file. In order to do this, select Pick at the end of the same line. A new window will open where you can browse for your backup file. Select the zip file you would like to use to restore your database.

At the bottom of the Restore Options window you should see a button labeled Restore. When you click it, a new window will open.

This is where you will select the folder of the database you want to restore to. Again, it should be pointing to your existing database. In the case that you had to reinstall CBAS, or if you have never opened this database before, you will have to create a folder for the database before you start the restore process. Use Windows Explorer to make the folder in C:\CBAS. Once you select the destination folder for the restore, click OK and the restore will begin.

Now we move on to restoring your graphics. While CBAS does not automatically restore the pictures, it is fairly easy to restore them manually provided you followed the steps to back them up. This process requires using Windows Explorer to move around the file structure. First navigate your way to the CBAS directory and locate your database folder. In a new window, locate the backup copy of the graphics folder you created. Now simply highlight and Copy (Ctrl+C) the backup graphics folder. Switch back to the CBAS directory, highlight your database folder, and Paste (Ctrl+V) the copy in the directory. When you return to CBAS all of your graphics should be restored.