prismbackup powered by prismtechnology
A division of Prism Solutions Group www.prismsolutionsgroup.net
FAQ
How can I backup a huge data set over the Internet?
If you have a lot of data (e.g. 300GB) to backup to the backup server, it would take a considerable amount of time to perform the first full backup through the
Internet. You can use the Seed Loading Utility to backup your backup set to local hard disk (instead of directly to the backup server) and then transport the backup
data, using a removable hard disk, to your backup service provider. The administrator can then load all your backup files from your removable hard disk into your
backup account. This could save you days (even weeks) of performing your first full backup. And since subsequent backups are incremental (only new or updated
files will be uploaded to the server), the amount of data transfer should be relatively small. Please refer to the User’s Guide for details on the “Seed Loading
Utility”.
What is the best way to restore a huge data set?
PrismBackup can copy the data of the particular backup set on PrimsBackup to a removable media, e.g. external harddisk/DVD, and ship it to you. You can then
use the “Decypt Files Tool” in PrismBackup to restore the backup data on removable media to its original format.
Can I change my encrypting key?
Once set for a Backup Set, the encrypting key cannot be changed. This is necessary for the integrity of the Backup Set, making sure that backup data is only
encrypted by one key. Otherwise, you will have problems remember two encrypting keys when you want to restore your files in the future. You need to recreate
your Backup Set if you really want to change your encrypting key.
What kind of encryption method is employed by PrimsBackup?
There are two encryptions types being used by PrismBackups:
1.Encryption of backup data - This is being done by 128-bit symmetric key encryption (AES, TripleDES, TwoFish). 256 bit is not available because it
requires too much CPU and it is not really required (128-bit is what is being used by most banks currently)
2.Encryption of backup traffic - This is being done by 1024 bit RSA public key encryption. The strength of the encryption depends on the key size you use
when you generate your CSR before submitting to your CA. 1024 bit is what is being used by most CAs.
Can I backup an entire Operating System?
Currently, it is not possible to do hard disk image backup with PrismBackup. However you can still backup/restore the operating system by doing the followings:
To backup all files including the operating system, please do this:
1.Add all files to your backup source
2.Add a SystemState backup type to your backup account (Windows only)
To restore all files including the operating system, please do this:
1.Re-install the operating system and applications
2.Restore the SystemState backup to your machine (Windows only)
3.Restore all files to your machine
What are the pros and cons of backing up multiple computers using a single backup account?
Pros:
• You require less backup accounts (having one big backup account is typically cheaper that lots of small ones).
• You can use one pair of username and password to configure the backup setting of all backup settings.
Cons:
• You must use different backup sets for different computers
• Whenever a new backup set is created under the backup account, you need to go back to all computers using the same backup account to uncheck the
“Run scheduled backup on this computer” option for the new backup set (as backup setting is saved on server and new backup set is default to run on all
computers, i.e. with the option checked)
• Improper configuration could easily cause problems, which are difficult to debug.
How does the “Remove retention files for overlap policy” under Advanced Retention Policy work?
In general, daily snapshots followed by a weekly snapshot or a monthly snapshot, etc. will be removed; weekly snapshots followed by a monthly snapshot or a
quarterly snapshot, etc. will be removed; and so on. This is illustrated by the following example. Assume today is 17Jan06, and the Advanced Retention Policy is
as follows:
• Daily: retain for 7 days
• Weekly: retain for 4 weeks (the job will be performed on Saturday)
• Monthly: retain for 3 months (the job will be performed on 1st of each month)
If “Remove overlap policy” is NOT enabled:
Then a total of 14 snapshots (7+4+3) will be kept on the server accordingly, i.e.:
• (daily) 10Jan06, 11Jan06, 12Jan06, 13Jan06, 14Jan06, 15Jan06, 16Jan06
• (weekly) 24Dec05, 31Dec05, 7Jan06, 14Jan06
• (monthly) 1Nov05, 1Dec05, 1Jan06
If “Remove overlap policy” is enabled:
Then only the following snapshots are kept:
1Nov05, 1Dec05, 1Jan06, 14Jan06, 15Jan06, 16Jan06. Specifically, the weekly policy overrides the daily policy so 10Jan06, 11Jan06, 12Jan06 and
13Jan06 will be removed. The monthly policy overrides the weekly policy, and 24Dec05, 31Dec05 and 7Jan06 will be removed as well.
What is incremental backup and how does In-File Delta work?
In an incremental backup, only modified files will be uploaded to the Backup Server. In-File Delta is used against physical files to be uploaded to the Backup
Server. It does not matter whether these are MS SQL database files, MS Exchange transaction log files or any normal files in a FileBackupSet. Specifically, only
the changed blocks in comparison the original file on the Backup Server (delta file) will be uploaded. For each modified file, PrismBackup would determine whether
the entire file or only delta file should be uploaded. If the entire file is to be uploaded, the old version of the file will be moved to the Retention area. Else if only the
delta file is to be uploaded, the previous delta files will be moved to the Retention area and the Data area should contain the original full backup file, checksum file
and the latest delta file of this file.
Does PrimsBackup have to stop the application when doing online backups?
PrimBackup can backup application data while the application is still running. Particularly, we have special agents for MS Exchange Server, MS SQL Server,
Oracle, Lotus Notes and MySQL, which allows these applications to be backed up while they are online.
What are Off-line backup, Logout backup reminder and Local backup features?
Off-line backup is basically designed for notebook users who are off-line most of the time and cannot rely on backup schedule to backup regularly. The backup
interval allows notebook users to specify the interval that they would like their data to backup. If this interval has elapsed, backup will run automatically once this
machine is online. Logout backup reminder asks user if they would like to backup if they logout of the computer or shutdown their computer. Local backup allows
an extra copy of backup file to be kept on local hard disk when running backup.
What makes online backup significant?
Online backup typically means that you take backups of your data files to an online backup location and it is being treated as a substitute for the conventional tape
backups due to the hassles involved in tape backups. Online backup has gained prominence due to higher BW connectivity that allows for large amounts of data
transfer, low latency, and reliability of services such as PrismBackup (http://www. PrismBackup .com). PrismBackup also provides for enhanced security features
for encrypting your data both during transmission and storage whilst keeping in mind the security aspects of your online backups.
PrismBackup offers a unique subscription plan that will allow you to scale your backup plans as your storage needs increase.
So, if you are a large enterprise, an Small Business or simply an end user looking to evaluate a proven online backup solution, PrismBackup should be the choice
for you.
We believe online backup bears a large correlation with network bandwidth and as this bandwidth availability increases, the emergence of ‘online backup’
addressing various segments of the industry will only increase.
Overall, PrismBackup benefits in this field are immensely value adding and we will continue to be on the edge of innovation in the days/years to come.
FAQ
How can I backup a huge data set over the Internet?
If you have a lot of data (e.g. 300GB) to backup to the backup server, it would take a considerable amount of time to perform the first full backup through the
Internet. You can use the Seed Loading Utility to backup your backup set to local hard disk (instead of directly to the backup server) and then transport the backup
data, using a removable hard disk, to your backup service provider. The administrator can then load all your backup files from your removable hard disk into your
backup account. This could save you days (even weeks) of performing your first full backup. And since subsequent backups are incremental (only new or updated
files will be uploaded to the server), the amount of data transfer should be relatively small. Please refer to the User’s Guide for details on the “Seed Loading
Utility”.
What is the best way to restore a huge data set?
PrismBackup can copy the data of the particular backup set on PrimsBackup to a removable media, e.g. external harddisk/DVD, and ship it to you. You can then
use the “Decypt Files Tool” in PrismBackup to restore the backup data on removable media to its original format.
Can I change my encrypting key?
Once set for a Backup Set, the encrypting key cannot be changed. This is necessary for the integrity of the Backup Set, making sure that backup data is only
encrypted by one key. Otherwise, you will have problems remember two encrypting keys when you want to restore your files in the future. You need to recreate
your Backup Set if you really want to change your encrypting key.
What kind of encryption method is employed by PrimsBackup?
There are two encryptions types being used by PrismBackups:
1.Encryption of backup data - This is being done by 128-bit symmetric key encryption (AES, TripleDES, TwoFish). 256 bit is not available because it
requires too much CPU and it is not really required (128-bit is what is being used by most banks currently)
2.Encryption of backup traffic - This is being done by 1024 bit RSA public key encryption. The strength of the encryption depends on the key size you use
when you generate your CSR before submitting to your CA. 1024 bit is what is being used by most CAs.
Can I backup an entire Operating System?
Currently, it is not possible to do hard disk image backup with PrismBackup. However you can still backup/restore the operating system by doing the followings:
To backup all files including the operating system, please do this:
1.Add all files to your backup source
2.Add a SystemState backup type to your backup account (Windows only)
To restore all files including the operating system, please do this:
1.Re-install the operating system and applications
2.Restore the SystemState backup to your machine (Windows only)
3.Restore all files to your machine
What are the pros and cons of backing up multiple computers using a single backup account?
Pros:
• You require less backup accounts (having one big backup account is typically cheaper that lots of small ones).
• You can use one pair of username and password to configure the backup setting of all backup settings.
Cons:
• You must use different backup sets for different computers
• Whenever a new backup set is created under the backup account, you need to go back to all computers using the same backup account to uncheck the
“Run scheduled backup on this computer” option for the new backup set (as backup setting is saved on server and new backup set is default to run on all
computers, i.e. with the option checked)
• Improper configuration could easily cause problems, which are difficult to debug.
How does the “Remove retention files for overlap policy” under Advanced Retention Policy work?
In general, daily snapshots followed by a weekly snapshot or a monthly snapshot, etc. will be removed; weekly snapshots followed by a monthly snapshot or a
quarterly snapshot, etc. will be removed; and so on. This is illustrated by the following example. Assume today is 17Jan06, and the Advanced Retention Policy is
as follows:
• Daily: retain for 7 days
• Weekly: retain for 4 weeks (the job will be performed on Saturday)
• Monthly: retain for 3 months (the job will be performed on 1st of each month)
If “Remove overlap policy” is NOT enabled:
Then a total of 14 snapshots (7+4+3) will be kept on the server accordingly, i.e.:
• (daily) 10Jan06, 11Jan06, 12Jan06, 13Jan06, 14Jan06, 15Jan06, 16Jan06
• (weekly) 24Dec05, 31Dec05, 7Jan06, 14Jan06
• (monthly) 1Nov05, 1Dec05, 1Jan06
If “Remove overlap policy” is enabled:
Then only the following snapshots are kept:
1Nov05, 1Dec05, 1Jan06, 14Jan06, 15Jan06, 16Jan06. Specifically, the weekly policy overrides the daily policy so 10Jan06, 11Jan06, 12Jan06 and
13Jan06 will be removed. The monthly policy overrides the weekly policy, and 24Dec05, 31Dec05 and 7Jan06 will be removed as well.
What is incremental backup and how does In-File Delta work?
In an incremental backup, only modified files will be uploaded to the Backup Server. In-File Delta is used against physical files to be uploaded to the Backup
Server. It does not matter whether these are MS SQL database files, MS Exchange transaction log files or any normal files in a FileBackupSet. Specifically, only
the changed blocks in comparison the original file on the Backup Server (delta file) will be uploaded. For each modified file, PrismBackup would determine whether
the entire file or only delta file should be uploaded. If the entire file is to be uploaded, the old version of the file will be moved to the Retention area. Else if only the
delta file is to be uploaded, the previous delta files will be moved to the Retention area and the Data area should contain the original full backup file, checksum file
and the latest delta file of this file.
Does PrimsBackup have to stop the application when doing online backups?
PrimBackup can backup application data while the application is still running. Particularly, we have special agents for MS Exchange Server, MS SQL Server,
Oracle, Lotus Notes and MySQL, which allows these applications to be backed up while they are online.
What are Off-line backup, Logout backup reminder and Local backup features?
Off-line backup is basically designed for notebook users who are off-line most of the time and cannot rely on backup schedule to backup regularly. The backup
interval allows notebook users to specify the interval that they would like their data to backup. If this interval has elapsed, backup will run automatically once this
machine is online. Logout backup reminder asks user if they would like to backup if they logout of the computer or shutdown their computer. Local backup allows
an extra copy of backup file to be kept on local hard disk when running backup.
What makes online backup significant?
Online backup typically means that you take backups of your data files to an online backup location and it is being treated as a substitute for the conventional tape
backups due to the hassles involved in tape backups. Online backup has gained prominence due to higher BW connectivity that allows for large amounts of data
transfer, low latency, and reliability of services such as PrismBackup (http://www. PrismBackup .com). PrismBackup also provides for enhanced security features
for encrypting your data both during transmission and storage whilst keeping in mind the security aspects of your online backups.
PrismBackup offers a unique subscription plan that will allow you to scale your backup plans as your storage needs increase.
So, if you are a large enterprise, an Small Business or simply an end user looking to evaluate a proven online backup solution, PrismBackup should be the choice
for you.
We believe online backup bears a large correlation with network bandwidth and as this bandwidth availability increases, the emergence of ‘online backup’
addressing various segments of the industry will only increase.
Overall, PrismBackup benefits in this field are immensely value adding and we will continue to be on the edge of innovation in the days/years to come.