System Backup and Recovery Overview

The System Backup and Recovery (KSBR) module provides robust disaster recovery, data protection and system migration by creating and managing backup image files remotely. Fast and reliable StorageCraft ShadowProtect™ technology means each backup image represents the exact state of a managed machine at a given point-in-time. Integration within the Kaseya framework ensures centralized management and a streamlined configuration of the entire backup process.

• Configure full, differential or incremental backups for multiple machines using profiles. Profiles are typically LAN-specific. Other profile options include:
  • Volume selection
  • Split images
  • Include/exclude free space
  • Password protection and encryption
  • Differential for subsequent full backups
  • Write caching
  • Concurrent backup creation
  • Self-healing incremental recovery
  • Performance throttling
  • Auto-execution if last scheduled backup missed
  • Retention policy
• Schedule backups once, weekly, monthly or continuously.
  • Continuous backups require ShadowControl® ImageManager™ to consolidate backups on a continuing basis, so you never have to create another full backup.
  • ShadowControl® ImageManager™is also used to manage offsite replication and image restores.
• Deploy System Backup and Recovery to the machines of any organization you manage. Once profiles are configured, you only need to select the agent machines to install. The correct OS installer is selected for each machine.
• System Backup and Recovery can also "take over" the management of machines already installed with ShadowProtect™, without having to uninstall.
• A selected point-in-time read-only image can be mounted in minutes onto any other machine sharing the same LAN as the image storage location. From then on any file on the mounted image can be accessed.
• Track the status of all backup processes using the Status, Dashboard, Alerts, and Backup History pages and generated reports.

Point in Time Snapshots

Every System Backup and Recovery image represents the point-in-time when the backup was completed, whether a user is logged on at that time or not. Backups run in the background—and incremental backups may only take a few minutes—without interrupting users from their work. If necessary, a restore can return a system to the exact state it was in when the backup was completed, including any open applications and files.

By default, ShadowProtect attempts to create a snapshot backup of a volume using Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS). If problems are encountered with VSS, then StorageCraft uses its own proprietary Volume Snapshot Manager (VSM) to create the snapshot backup.

Configuration Summary

1. Install the System Backup and Recovery add-on module to your VSA.
2. Install the System Backup and Recovery client on selected machines, using the Install or Remove page.
3. Create profiles, typically one for each LAN you manage, using the Manage page.
4. Enable backup alerts using the Alerts page.
5. Assign profiles to machines using the Assign by Machine and Assign by Profile pages.
6. Track the creation of backups for specific machines using the Status page and the Backup History page.
7. Mount completed backups on machines on the same LAN as the storage location using the Mount page.

Note: See System Backup and Recovery System Requirements.