NovaBACKUP 21 Quick Start Guide (imported)

This is the NovaBACKUP 21 Quick Start Guide (imported), and the full version can be found in the link below.

NovaBACKUP 21 Quick Start Guide (this is the imported version, the full current online web version of that guide is here: https://www.novabackup.com/resources/quick-start-guide).

Types of Backups

File Backup

A standard file backup is simply an archive of data that may be restored in the event of data loss. This archive is generally made from the files which you select as being important (or an entire file system) and may be encrypted or compressed.

File backup is a primary backup that runs one or more times per day to back up all business- critical data. File backups in NovaBACKUP utilize the forever-incremental method, and the retention is built in to the backup job itself.

Image Backup (Disaster Recovery)

System configuration changes rarely occur. However, to ensure you can get your entire system back, we always recommend that you perform a full image backup occasionally, which offers the safest and fastest method for recovery of an entire PC or server.

An image backup is intended to back up the underlying data structures of a computer including the operating system and applications for emergency restoration to, for example,

completely different computer, in the event of a system loss.

Different Types of Backup Jobs

For File Backups

Forever-incremental Backup: Forever incremental backup is a process in which all backups after the initial full backup are incremental only. Unlike traditional incremental, which suggests periodic full backups, using forever-incremental means that all backups are always incremental. This file backup method is available for local and cloud backups in NovaBACKUP.

For Image Backups

Full Backup: a data or image backup of all (selected) data or drives or partitions.

Differential Backup: a backup with all changes since the last full backup.

Incremental Backup: A backup that only contains the files that have changed since the most recent backup (either full or incremental).

Installation of NovaBACKUP

IMPORTANT: NovaBACKUP needs to be installed on the system that contains the data to be backed up. Each installation is independent and therefore requires its own license.

Start Installation

Start the NovaBACKUP installer. You can find the latest version here.

Activate License

Follow the setup program's instructions. After a few steps, NovaBACKUP will ask you to enter your license key. If you don't have a license yet, you can run a fully functional 15- day trial version.

By clicking [Next], NovaBACKUP contacts the license server and activates the license.

Launch the Program

After the installation is complete, you will find the NovaBACKUP icon on the desktop. Now double-click the icon to start the NovaBACKUP user interface.

Create a Local Backup Device

To simplify the process of backing up to a local storage device, this device only needs to be set up once and can then be used for every backup job. This includes USD drives, RDX-drives, and NAS.

1. Add a Backup Device On the [Device] tab, click [Add] and then [Local Backup].

1. Enter a Device Name & Network Path Under "Local Backup" specify a device name. It is used to identify the device and is displayed in the device lists throughout the application. If you're setting up a NAS or network storage, specify the network path (UNC) in the "Folder and Network Path" field. You can also use the browse button "..." to search for a particular network path.

Note: In the field "Device Name" do not utilize these unsupported Windows file name characters: \ / : * ? “ < > |

1. For NAS or network storage: Enter Network Credentials Click on the "Network Credentials" tab. Specify at least the "Username" and "User password" fields, and if the network share is on a domain, also specify the "Domain name" field.

1. Add Encryption This is an optional step. If you'd like to encrypt your backup files, add an encryption key in the tab "Encryption".

2. Confirm with [OK]. A connection test will be performed automatically, and after a successful test , the device will be created. If you get an error during the test, please confirm the network path and the network credentials. If you still have an issue please reference this guide here.

3. Once the device is added successfully, you'll find your newly created device in the [Device] tab.

Note: The device's network credentials can be edited at any later time. The "Device Name" and "Folder and Network path" field value properties cannot be changed after the device has already been created. To change these two properties, you would need to create a new "Local Backup" device.

Create a Cloud Backup Device

NovaBACKUP comes with cloud storage that you can use for your offsite backups. You can also add your own S3 cloud storage as an additional offsite destination.

Note: If your NovaBACKUP license does not include cloud storage yet, contact [e-mail].

NovaBACKUP Cloud Storage

If it's the first time using the NovaBACKUP Cloud, register your cloud account.

1. Select [Cloud Backup] from the Home tab.

2. Click [Register].

3. Fill out the requested information to create an account and click [Confirm].

   • Provide a memorable username. We recommend using your email address here.

   • Enter your email address

   • Provide and confirm a Password.

   • Confirm your License Key is correct.

   • Add an encryption key that will be used to encrypt your backup data in transit and in the NovaBACKUP Cloud. Please remember it well, as we don't store this information on our end.

4. Once registered, you will see your NovaBACKUP Cloud storage in the [Device] tab as “Cloud Storage”.

If you've already used your license key to create a NovaBACKUP Cloud account, you'll see an "Attach to NovaBACKUP Cloud" button instead of a "Register" button. Follow the instructions.

Once you're done registering your cloud account, go back to NovaBACKUP and set up your cloud backup job.

3rd-Party Cloud Storage

To connect any S3 cloud storage to NovaBACKUP, go to the [Device] tab, click on [Add], select [Cloud Backup], and fill in the required credentials.

Create a File Backup

To create a backup job for your business-critical data such as files, folders, and Hyper-V VMs or MS SQL databases, click on the [Backup] tab in the top menu or click the [Start] button.

Start by:

1. Defining a "Backup Name".

2. Selecting the files and folders you want to back up, or - for NovaBACKUP Server Agent only - select the complete Hyper-V object and/or MS SQL Server object, or only individual VMs or databases if required.

3. Clicking on [Backup to] in the lower left corner, then in the "Select Device" dialog select the appropriate backup storage - either your local device or your cloud storage (Note: to backup to the NovaBACKUP Cloud, select "Cloud Storage") - and confirm with [OK].

Save your backup job by clicking the save icon in the top left corner.

Backup Job Settings

Continue by clicking [Settings] for more optional settings for your backup job.

1. [Backup] Tab - Retention Config

For local and cloud backups, you can now set the retention value (how long you want to keep your backups). The default value for each backup schedule is 30 days.

1. [Backup] Tab - After backup action

What should NovaBACKUP do after the backup is completed?

1. [Notification] Tab

Set up e-mail notifications here.

1. [Filters] Tab

Backup jobs can include filters that allow you to select specific include and exclude

filters based on file masks, such as exclude certain file types (*.bak *.tmp), include files with specific dates and file sizes, exclude files with specific attributes (read-only, hidden,

or system), etc.

1. [Custom Commands] Tab

Store a pre-/post-script (batch), which is executed before or after the backup here.

Backup Schedule

If you only want to run a one-time backup , you can click on [Backup] to start your backup.

If you'd like to schedule a reoccurring backup, for example, once daily, instead continue by clicking [Schedule] and define the following:

1. Your current backup job is selected under Job Name. If it's not selected, pick the job you want to schedule from the drop-down menu (see yellow highlighting below).

2. Under "Scheduling Information", specify when and at what intervals the backup job should run.

3. Enter the user who has access to the selected data to ensure that the backup works without errors even if you're logged out. Then click [Check Credentials].

4. Click [OK] to confirm. You will find the backup job under "Schedule" at the top of the

Your scheduled backup job is now set up and will start at the time you selected. If necessary, you can set up multiple backup jobs for different files, Hyper-V VMs, or SQL databases.

Simply follow the steps above until you have set up all the backup jobs you need.

Restoring Files and Folders

1. To restore a file or folder, click on the [Restore] tab.

2. Select the backup you would like to restore from and the files you would like to restore.

1. Click the [Settings] button to set up how you want to restore the file. You can choose to overwrite the existing file. You can also restore the files to the original location or restore the files to an alternate location.

Click the [OK] button to confirm your selections.

Note: By default, restores of file and plugin data will overwrite the existing files at their original location.

1. Click the [Restore] button to start the restore.

2. You will see the progress of your restore in the [Status] tab.

Create an Image Backup

An image backup is used to back up the entire operating system, including system settings and all data and applications available on the system.

We recommend adding a weekly or monthly image backup to your backup strategy, depending on how often your system changes.

1. From the Home tab, select [Image Backup].

1. Select [Image backup schedule].

3. Select the physical drives you would like to create an image of.

1. Define a Backup Name. Then click [Backup to. ] to select the backup destination. Then

select the Backup Type, Backup Method, and Image Type you would like to use and confirm by clicking [Next].

Backup Type

NovaBACKUP Image: Creates an Image Backup of your entire drive for disaster recovery.

VHD: Virtual Hard Disk is used to restore an image to a Hyper-V.

VHDx: Virtual Hard Disk is used for image restores to Hyper-V, VMware, and VirtualBox (for Windows Server 2012 and later versions).

Recommendation: If you are NOT planning on restoring to a virtual machine, select "NovaBACKUP Image".

Backup Method:

Full-Only: This creates a full image backup of your entire system.

Full-Differential: This stores a full version and then backs up the changes since the last full version.

Full-Incremental: This stores a full version and then the changes since the last backup (full or incremental).

Image Type:

Used Sectors: This option only copies sectors used by the file system, thus

reducing the image size and backup time.

Forensic:: This option is a bit-by-bit, sector-by-sector direct copy of a system, including all files, folders, and unallocated, free, and slack space.

Forensic direct: This option is important for digital forensic investigators because

unallocated space that may contain deleted files or other residual data that could be used as direct evidence in an investigation is included in the type of image.

Recommendation: In the majority of the cases, you would select "Used Sectors"

After backup action:

Do nothing

Shut down computer Restart computer

Additional Options:

Compress the backup: This reduces the file size of the backup and increases backup speed.

Verify the backup: This tests a backup for errors or information loss to ensure that data is valid.

Encryption settings: Encryption prevents unauthorized access to your private data.

1. Schedule your image backup by selecting the type of schedule and the date and time you want it to run for the first time.

2. Enter the user who has access to the selected data to ensure that the backup works without errors even if you're logged out. Then click [Check Credentials].

3. Click [Finish]. The image backup schedule that you just created is now in the [Schedule] tab ready for its first image backup.

Create a Boot Disc for Disaster Recovery

1. From the Home tab, select [Image Backup].

2. Click [Image Backup Creation Tool ...].

3. A welcome page will open. From there, click the [Boot Disc] button.

1. Choose the type of boot media. Select [Simple] (recommended) then click the [Next]

button.

Note: The [Advanced] option is for server operating systems that need to specify RAID controller drivers. Drivers can be loaded after booting the PC to the image boot media.

1. Next, click the [Create Image] button to create a customized bootable image. Once you see that the process completed successfully, click the [Next] button to continue.

6. Select the device you would like to write the boot disc image to. Click [Finish].

Image Recovery Using a Boot Disc

Important: Before you get started with your disaster recovery using your Boot Disc, please

look up the required F Key for your computer model.

1. Insert the boot disc CD/USB stick and start the computer.

1. If the Boot Device Menu does not start automatically, you must know which F key on your PC's keyboard to press during the startup screen to enter your Boot Device Menu.

2. Select your CD or USB drive as the first drive in your boot-up sequence. This will allow your system to access the DR Boot Disk media which you previously created, rather than attempting to boot from your hard disk.

3. Confirm your display and networking settings needed to start the environment using the Image Backup Control Panel dialog. Click [OK]

5. Select [Start Restoration].

6. Locate the Image Backup File (.NDF) to restore from. Click [Open].

7. Select the Source drive. The source when the Image Backup was created.

8. Select the Target drive. This is the listing of the current partitions on the installed drives. This is what you are replacing using your Image Backup.

9. Choose [Start drive restoration]. Note: A dialog box will appear to confirm settings.

10. Confirm the settings. Click [Start].

11. If data exists on the Target drive, a dialog will appear confirming you wish to "Completely delete the target drive". Choose [Delete] to replace the contents of the Target drive.

Note: This prompt will appear if you select any partition that already has data on it, to perform the restore you must delete the previous contents.

12. The Restore process will start and display the progress.

1. A Dialog box will appear once the restore process has been completed. Click [Close] to finish.

1. Close the Drive restoration window by clicking the [X] in the top right corner. A dialog will appear asking if you wish to restart the computer, select [Yes].

NovaBACKUP's reporting features allow you to create easy-to-understand email reports for more transparency in your data protection strategy.

Reporting Options

The reports provide a very quick overview of the status of all jobs executed by NovaBACKUP during the selected reporting period.

To set up email logs, please follow the steps below:

1. From the home screen, click the NovaBACKUP icon in the top left. Select the [Default Settings] option.

1. Switch to the [Notification] tab.

2. Activate e-mail notification by checking the [Email] box and, then select the circumstances under which you would like to receive the logs by e-mail.

3. Click on [Email settings] to store the email address or, if necessary, to define your own SMTP server.

4. Go to the [Logs] tab from the main navigation at the top, then click the [Set up reports]

button at the bottom.

1. In the following window, use the tabs to select whether you want to receive the reports daily, weekly, or monthly, and enter the e-mail addresses of all people who should

receive reports. You can enter multiple recipients separated by a semicolon.

More Information

You can find further information in our Support Knowledgebase.

[Guide] Standard Backup Schedule with Retention

[Guide] NovaBACKUP PC (Home User) Configuration Walkthrough [Guide] Sample Backup Schedules (Video)

[Guide] Disaster Recovery Walkthrough (Video)

[Guide]: Setting Up VM Backups Using Virtual Dashboard (VD) [Guide] Recovery Boot Disc Creation (Video)

[Guide] Central Management Console Walkthrough (Video)

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