Backup basics

ARCserveIT's backup capabilities are powerful, versatile and easy to use. You can back up all your clients at the same time, back up only your local host, or pick and choose the hosts that you want.

Use the Backup Manager to:

Backup clients to various media or create a customized backup scheme.
Use filters to selectively exclude or include directories and files from backup jobs. See `Applying filters to your job' for more information.
Create an automated backup scheme using media rotation, see `Using a simple rotation scheme'.

Create an automated backup scheme using ARCserveIT's GFS rotation scheme - Refer to `Using GFS Rotation' for more information.

In order to select objects residing on servers for backup, that server must be entered into the Client database. Please refer to the section `Adding clients to the ARCserveIT database'for detailed information.

	In order to select objects residing on servers for backup, that server must be entered into the Client database. Please refer to the section `Adding clients to the ARCserveIT database'for detailed information.

Global vs. local source options

ARCserveIT allows you to apply backup options to local source objects (such as volumes and nodes) or globally to the entire backup job, or to both at the same time. If an option is being applied locally to the source, it is accessed from that object's source tab. If it is being applied globally, it is accessed via the Global Options button found on the top portion of the backup manager.

Selecting the best backup scheme for your requirements

ARCserveIT provides three backup schemes to choose from: Custom, Rotation, and GFS Rotation. Use the table below to help guide you in selecting the right backup scheme.

Scheme

Usage

Custom
The Custom scheme enables you to run a backup job either once, or on a repeating basis.
Unlike Rotation and GFS Rotation:

The use of a specific media pool is not required, but you can still submit a backup job to a given media pool as long as you are authorized to access that pool.

Rotation
Selecting Rotation as a backup scheme enables you to maintain a weekly rotation of media. A combination of three different backup methods are used including: Full, Differential, and Incremental.
Unlike Custom:

A specific (non-shared) media pool must be assigned to the rotation scheme.
Unlike GFS Rotation:

Appending data to media and changing the media name is allowed.
See `Using a simple rotation scheme' for more information.

GFS Rotation
Selecting GFS Rotation as a backup scheme enables you to maintain a monthly rotation of media. A combination of three different backup methods are used including: Full, Differential, and Incremental.
Unlike Custom:

A specific (non-shared) media pool must be assigned to the GFS rotation scheme.
Unlike Rotation:

Appending data to media is not allowed. Data is always over-written.
Changing the name associated with the media within the assigned pool is not allowed. The media is automatically named by ARCserveIT.
See Chapter 6, "Using GFS Rotation" for more information.

Scheme	Usage
Custom	The Custom scheme enables you to run a backup job either once, or on a repeating basis. Unlike Rotation and GFS Rotation: The use of a specific media pool is not required, but you can still submit a backup job to a given media pool as long as you are authorized to access that pool.
Rotation	Selecting Rotation as a backup scheme enables you to maintain a weekly rotation of media. A combination of three different backup methods are used including: Full, Differential, and Incremental. Unlike Custom: A specific (non-shared) media pool must be assigned to the rotation scheme. Unlike GFS Rotation: Appending data to media and changing the media name is allowed. See `Using a simple rotation scheme' for more information.
GFS Rotation	Selecting GFS Rotation as a backup scheme enables you to maintain a monthly rotation of media. A combination of three different backup methods are used including: Full, Differential, and Incremental. Unlike Custom: A specific (non-shared) media pool must be assigned to the GFS rotation scheme. Unlike Rotation: Appending data to media is not allowed. Data is always over-written. Changing the name associated with the media within the assigned pool is not allowed. The media is automatically named by ARCserveIT. See Chapter 6, "Using GFS Rotation" for more information.