Backup
The backup feature securely copies traffic and configuration information to a specified backup system. Pre-computed Preferred Interface data is not backed up.
The Administration > System Operations > Backup page displays the current backup status of the appliance and controls what information is backed up, where it is backed up to, and who is notified when a backup is completed.
Backup Status
This section reports the date that the last backup operation was run and whether it completed successfully or failed. It also reports if a backup operation is currently in progress.
Excluded file types
Most appliances have a very large storage capacity. This depends on the expanded memory options (or optional SAN devices, if applicable). A full backup of all information could require significant time and bandwidth. You can use the Exclude option to limit the backup to:
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System setup and configuration information
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User settings that are accessible from the GUI
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Saved reports
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Analytic and security profiles
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Event details
Select the Exclude flow, rollup and identity logs option to exclude the following files from the backup:
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Traffic flow logs
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Rollup logs (This is the information that makes it possible to report on traffic volumes with selectable data resolutions.)
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Identity logs (These are records of user logins, logouts and login attempts.)
Backup location
The backup machine and account must be fully specified in the format:
admin@backup-server.company.com:/backup/cascade
If the backup machine is not configured for SSH, the NetProfiler attempts to automatically set up SSH keys before performing the backup. You will be prompted to enter login information. Both backup and restore operations require the same system changes for SSH and Shell access. more
The backup operation saves the current set of files plus one previous set in the backup location. That is, the third time you perform the backup operation, it deletes the first set that was backed up. If you need to save more than two versions, change the backup location.
Encryption password
All sensitive data in the backup image is encrypted with AES256 encryption using this password. This password is required in order to restore the image, so it should be saved and safeguarded.
Notification
Enter an email address for the person or system to be notified when the backup operation completes. Note that in order for the NetProfiler to send email notifications, the Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP) Settings on the Administration > General Settings page must be specified.
Running the backup operation
When the backup location and notification information has been entered, click Run Backup to begin the backup operation. The Backup Status section of the page will indicate that the backup is in progress. A notification of the success or failure of the backup operation will be emailed when the operation completes. This date and status information is also displayed in the Backup Status section of the page until the next backup operation is performed.
If the backup machine is not configured for SSH connections from the NetProfiler, a message is displayed to advise you that this is a prerequisite for performing the backup operation.
Restoring a system from backup files
Restore operations are performed manually from the NetProfiler command line interface. more