BackupAssist

Backing up to File

How to Backup to File, Hard Drive, DVD / CD, ZIP Drive, Removable Hard Drive or Network Storage Device

Contents:

  1. Requirements
  2. Introduction
  3. How To Setup BackupAssist™
  4. Recommended configurations for different backup destinations
  5. Additional steps for DVD / CD Backups

Requirements

  • BackupAssist™ v2 or later
  • Windows 2000, XP or 2003 Server

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Introduction

For users without a tape drive, BackupAssist™ can perform backups to a backup file (with the .bkf extension)

This backup file can be saved to a hard drive, DVD/CD, USB Memory Stick, USB Hard Drive or Network Storage Device.

This enables users to perform their backups using BackupAssist™ when you don?t have a tape drive.

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How To Setup BackupAssist™

When running the BackupAssist™ Configuration Wizard, choose to backup to a File instead of to a Tape. Refer to the screenshot below:

BackupAssist™ Wizard Setup

The following options allow for naming flexibility:

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Backup Filename:

How the backup file should be named (Refer to recommendations below).

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Delete all backup files in this directory before performing the backup:

When you are backing up using the tape label or date of backup as the name, you may also choose to delete all existing backup files in that directory ? useful for backing up to ZIP, removable hard drive or DVD (Refer to 'deleting backup files tutorial').

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Backup system state:

Whether the registry and system state should be backed up. Leave checked if you are backing up your entire system. Uncheck if you are just backing up data files.

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Verify backup:

Whether the backup should be verified after completion (recommended).

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Compress backup file:

BackupAssist™ allows you to compress your backup files using a free program known as 7-Zip (Refer to the BackupAssist™ Help file for more information).
Advantages
  • Fit more data onto your backup device (eg. hard drive, REV drive, etc)
Disadvantages
  • Your backup file must be uncompressed before you can perform a restoration.
  • Your backup will take longer to run, because compression can be slow and is performed as an additional step once the backup has finished.
  • You require temporary space on your hard drive to perform the compression.

Compression is recommended for situations where the size of your backup is important - for example, if you copy your backup file to a remote server via VPN or FTP, then compressing the file will reduce the transfer time.

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Recommended configurations for different backup destinations

BackupAssist™ can be configured in a variety of ways depending on the application. Below are some suggestions and recommendations for different scenarios:

Network Storage Device (large capacity) ? store multiple backups.

Backup filename: Use the Tape Label
Delete all backup files: Off
Backup directory: Specify the path of your network storage device

Note: the number of backups you save is dictated by the Backup Scheme that you choose (ref. Schedule tab in BackupAssist™):

GFS: 20 Intermediate: 10
Professional: 14 Basic: 5

Network Storage Device (small capacity) ? store last backup only.

Backup filename: Use date of backup
Delete all backup files: On
Backup directory: Specify the path of your network storage device

Hard Drive (large capacity) ? variety of backups

Backup filename: Use the Tape Label
Delete all backup files: Off
Backup directory: Specify the path of your network storage device

Hard Drive (small capacity) ? store only last backup

Backup filename: Use date of backup
Delete all backup files: On
Backup directory: F:\ (where F: is the drive letter of hard drive)

ZIP / DVD / CD Drive (small storage capacity) ? store on multiple media and rotate (similar to tape rotation)

Backup filename: Use date of backup
Delete all backup files: On
Backup filename: F:\Backup.bkf (where F: is the drive letter of your ZIP / DVD / CD drive)

Note: the number of ZIP Disks / DVDs / CDs you save is dictated by the Backup Scheme that you choose (ref. Schedule tab in BackupAssist™):

GFS: 20 Intermediate: 10
Professional: 14 Basic: 5

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Additional steps for DVD / CD Backups

An additional step is required for DVD and CD drives to look like a floppy disk. You must install the Packet Writing Software that was bundled with your drive. Examples of this are:

  • Nero InCD
  • Roxio (Adaptec) DirectCD
  • Sonic DLA
You must install this software and format your DVDs / CDs using this software. This enables the DVD / CD to be used like an ordinary floppy disk or hard drive, and enables BackupAssist™ to write the backup file to that drive.

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