# Data backup

The automatic data backup function creates a backup of the configuration data at regular intervals and saves the backup files on the communication server’s file management system. You can use the distribution service to automatically copy the backup files to an FTP server or e-mail them.

The Manual Backup function lets you create backup files of the configuration and audio data manually and store them on any data carrier of your choice.

You can use the Export/Import function to export, edit and import configuration data again into an Excel table.

## Data backup

You can use manual data backup to make a backup of the configuration data or audio data and save it as a compressed .zip file on any data carrier you want.

The automatic configuration data backup function creates a backup of the entire communication server configuration data at regular intervals, compresses it as a .zip file and saves the backup files on the communication server’s file management system.

Note:

To ensure that the restore process runs smoothly, make sure you do not modify or decompress the .zip file.

## Manual backup

Configuration and audio data must be stored separately and stored as .zip files on any data carrier you want. The configuration data is also backed up automatically as copy on the communication server file system.

Situations in which you are advised to create a manual backup:

- Before running a first-start of the communication server (a first start resets all the configuration data to their default values).

- Before and after you have expanded (or reduced) the communication server with cards or modules.

- Before and after any major configuration changes.

Backup configuration and audio data files are also restored separately. For full backup always restore the configuration data first. It does not matter whether you are using backup files from the communication server file system or from another data carrier. The communication server is automatically restarted after the configuration data are restored. Then restore the audio data.

## Auto backup

The Auto Backup function creates a backup of the configuration data at daily, weekly and monthly intervals:

- Everyday at the set time a backup is created and stored in the ..\backup\day\ directory.

- When the week changes, a copy of the backup is stored in the ..\backup\week\ directory.

- When the month changes, a copy of the backup is stored in the ..\backup\month\ directory.

The backup directories are located on the file system of the communication server and are directly accessible via the File browser or with an FTP connection.

A backup remains stored until the set storage time has expired; the .zip file is then deleted from the file system.

Table 1. Settings
Setting | Description
Auto backup | Backups are created regularly and stored on the file system of the communication server. Automatic data backup, e-mail and FTP distribution service are disabled. No backup is created.
Execute backup at (time of day) | A new backup is created in each case at the time set here.
Retention time for daily backup (days) | All the backup files in the ..\backup\day\ backup directory are deleted if they are older than the number of days set here.
Retention time for weekly backup (weeks) | All the backup files in the ..\backup\week\ backup directory are deleted if they are older than the number of weeks set here.
Retention time for monthly backup (months) | All the backup files in the ..\backup\month\ backup directory are deleted if they are older than the number of months set here.

## Distribution service

The e-mail distribution service sends a copy of each backup created to a preconfigured e-mail address.

Table 2. E-mail distribution service settings
Setting | Description
E-mail distribution service active | The most recent, automatically created backup is sent according to the defined distribution interval. Note: To be able to send e-mails, you need to set up the access to an SMTP server. In an AIN, you must set the SMTP server in the Master only.
Distribution interval (days) | You can send the most recent backup everyday (1) or less often.
E-mail address | Enter here a valid e-mail address as the destination address (the e-mail address is not verified and delivery reports are not evaluated.
E-mail subject | Enter here the e-mail subject you want. If you do not enter any text, a default text is used.

The FTP distribution service also sends a backup file to an FTP server.

Table 3. FTP distribution service settings
Setting | Description
FTP distribution service active | The most recent, automatically created backup file is copied to the FTP server.
Distribution interval (days) | The backup file is sent daily (1) or less often to the FTP server.
FTP address | Enter here the address under which the FTP server can be reached.
User name and password | Enter here the access data to the FTP server.
Destination path | Enter here the path of the destination directory on the FTP server (e.g. "/commserver/backup/"

## Import/export function

You can use the Import/Export function to export, edit and import configuration data again into an Excel table.

General instructions on configuration data import and export can be found here Importing and exporting configuration data. Please read carefully and observe the safety guidelines contained therein before importing the configuration data.

## Testing auto backup

To test auto backup, click Trigger auto backup.

A backup is created and stored in the ..\backup\tmp\ directory. At the same time an attempt is made to distribute the backup in accordance with the settings for the distribution service.

Clicking Show backup files on communication server gives a list of all backup files available on the communication server file system.

## Creating manual backup

You can use manual data backup to make a backup of the configuration data or audio data and save it as a compressed .zip file on any data carrier you want.

To create a manual backup, proceed as follows:

1. Under Create backup click the Configuration data button.

2. Save the compressed ZIP file to a data carrier of your choice.

   Note:

   The configuration data is also backed up automatically as copy on the communication server file system.

3. If necessary, repeat Points 1 and 2 for the audio files.

## Restore backup

Note:

- Restoring a backup irretrievably overwrites the current configuration data or audio data.
- Restoring a configuration data backup also resets the users' presence status, the personal routing settings and any activated CFUs to the backup status.
- Some configuration changes only take effect after a restart. The communication server is restarted after the configuration data is restored.
- For full backup, always restore the configuration data first then the audio data.

To restore a manually created backup, proceed as follows:

1. Under Restore backup click the Configuration data / audio data button.

2. Click the Browse button.

   The file selection dialogue appears.

3. Find the configuration data backup file on your data carrier's file system, select it and click the Open button.The name of the selected backup file is displayed.

4. Click OK then confirm the safety prompt.

   The configuration data backup file is restored, and the communication server restarted after confirmation.

5. If necessary, repeat Point 1. - 4. for Audio data.

   The audio data backup file is loaded. You do not need to restart the communication server.

To restore a backup file created with automatic backup, proceed as follows:

1. Under Restore backup click Use backups on the communication server.

   Note:

   Alternatively, you can also under Auto backup functions and settings click Show backups on the communication server.

2. The list of available backup files is displayed. Select the backup you wish to restore.

3. Click Restore selected backup then confirm the safety prompt.

   The configuration data backup file is restored, and the communication server restarted after confirmation.

## Deleting backups

Manually or automatically created configuration data backups on the communication server file system can be deleted as follows:

1. Click Show backups on the communication server.

2. Click Delete all then confirm the safety prompt.

   All backup files on the communication server file system are deleted.

See also...

"Importing and exporting configuration data"

Parent topic: Maintenance
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