File Archiving

BackupAssist File Archiving backs up your data into a single ZIP file. This backup solution uses multi-threaded compression and includes support for encryption, incremental backups and VSS.

How to create a File Archiving backup job

Launch BackupAssist and follow the steps outlined below:

  1. Select the Jobs tab.
  2. Select Home.
  3. Select Create a New Backup Job.
  4. Select File Archiving.
  5. If this is the first time you have created a backup job, you will be asked to provide a Backup User Identity. To learn more, see Backup user identity

  6. Selections.
    This step is used to select the data and applications that you want to back up. Any VSS applications detected will be displayed here as application directory containers.
  7. Destination media.
    This step is used to select the type of media that you want to back your data up to. This step’s name will change to the media type selected, when you click Next.
  8. Schedule.
    This step is used to select when and how you want the backup job to run, and how long you would like the backup to be retained for. A selection of pre-configured schedules, called schemes, as well as a custom scheme, can be selected.
  9. Set up destination.
    This step is used to configure the location of the media selected in step 5. The options presented will change with the type of media selected.
  10. Notifications.
    Once a backup job has completed, BackupAssist can send an email to inform selected recipients of the result. This email notification is enabled during the creation of the backup job, but you must also provide your mail server settings so that the notifications can be sent. To learn how to configure your mail server for BackupAssist, see Email server settings.
  11. Prepare media
    If you selected BitLocker, this step will allow you to prepare the Media for BitLocker and label it. If you are not using BitLocker, but are using external drives, we recommend Editing the backup job once you have created it and using the Prepare Media option to label each drive. 
  12. Name your backup.
    Provide a name for your backup job, and click Finish.
    If you are using BitLocker encryption, the option will be Next.
  13. Next steps.
    This step will be available if you selected Enable BitLocker encryption. The Launch BitLocker encryption tool will be selected and it will open when you select Finish. When the tool opens, you can use it to encrypt the drives. This should be done before the backup job runs, because if an unencrypted drive is used for a BitLocker backup job, the job will fail.
  14. To learn about the BitLocker encryption tool, see BitLocker Encryption guide

Your File Archiving backup job has now been created.

Note: BackupAssist's reports can be used to review the results of each backup job. Backups should also so be checked by performing a test restore. Regular test restores should be part of your backup solution.

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