Create Backup Set

%edition_name% provides backup and restore for ShadowProtect System backup set. Please refer to the following link for further details about ShadowProtect: https://oldsite.storagecraft.com/support/book/export/html/15269#node_15362

Backup Requirements

Please ensure that the following requirements are met on your backup machine:

  1. Supported StorageCraft ShadowProtect Version: ShadowProtect 5.2.7 Desktop/ Server.
  2. Supported Operating System: Windows 2003, 2008/ R2, 2012/ R2 and Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 8.1, 10.
    !

    Please kindly note that %edition_name% will provide best effort support for the Windows 2003 and Windows XP.

  3. Supported File System: FAT16, FAT16X, FAT32, FAT32X, NTFS.
  4. Make sure that the latest version of %edition_name% and ShadowProtect are installed on the computer to be backed up.
  5. Make sure that the ShadowProtect System Backup feature has been enabled as an add-on module in your %edition_name% user account.
  6. Make sure that your %edition_name% user account has sufficient storage quota assigned to accommodate the storage of ShadowProtect system backup set and retention policy.
  7. The default Java heap size setting on %edition_name% is 2048MB. For ShadowProtect System backup it is highly recommended to increase the Java heap size setting to be at least 4096MB to improve backup and restore performance. The actual heap size is dependent on amount of free memory available on your computer.
  8. As the ShadowProtect image file will be spooled to a temporary directory before being uploaded to the backup destination, it is recommended that the temporary directory has disk space of at least 150% of the total in-use size of all volumes selected for backup because the default Delta ratio is 50%. The actual free disk space required depends on various factors including the size of the volume(s), number of backup destinations, backup frequency, in-file delta settings etc.
  9. To ensure optimal backup/ restoration performance, it is recommended that the temporary directory is set to a local drive, but not the system drive to minimize any potential performance impact on Windows operating system.
    !

    Please kindly note that the temporary directory cannot be set to a folder within a volume selected for backup.

  10. Port Requirement: TCP port 139, 445 and 80 must be open for ShadowProtect to access network shares.
  11. Make sure the "ShadowProtect Service" is "Running".

Limitation

  1. ShadowProtect does not support Windows Cluster Shared Volumes (CSV).
  2. ShadowProtect does not support:

Best Practice and Recommendation

  1. Turn off disk defrag software when using incremental backup. When ShadowProtect takes an incremental backup, it writes a file identifying those sectors that changed since the last backup. Disk defrag software change many sectors on the disk, which greatly increases the time it takes to run the next incremental backup.
  2. Test the StorageCraft Recovery Environment to make sure that you have access to both any local drives and network devices that you might need.
  3. Pay extra attention to the disk space usage where ShadowProtect stores backup images. If the location runs out of space, backup jobs will fail.
  4. Use password encryption to protect backup image files. The default setting of algorithm for encryption key is RC4 128-bit (Fastest, but least secure), it is recommended to apply AES 256-bit (The most secure, but slowest).
    !

    Please kindly note that the encryption key generated by checking the "Encrypt the image file in temporary directory" option CANNOT be recovered by Encryption Key Recovery feature. So please keep the encryption key properly with several copies in case of lost of it.

  5. For maximum data protection and restore options, it is recommended to configure:
        At least one offsite or cloud destination
        At least one local destination for fast recovery
  6. Perform test restores periodically to ensure your backup is set up and performed properly. Performing recovery test can also help identify potential issues or gaps in your recovery plan. It's important that you do not try to make the test easier, as the objective of a successful test is not to demonstrate that everything is flawless. There might be flaws identified in the plan throughout the test and it is important to identify those flaws.

Set the name of the backup set

Key:

Field Description
Name This is the name of the backup set. You can create a meaningful name for it.
Backup set type Enter the correct backup type from the drop down box.
Path to StorageCraft ShadowProtect The path where you installed the ShadowProtect.
Encrypt the image file in temporary directory Check the option if you want to encrypt the image file in temporary directory for encrypted security.
Algorithm Enter the algorithm for the encryption key. Default is "RC4 128-bit (Fastest, but least secure)". You can choose among "RC4 128-bit (Fastest, but least secure)", "AES 128-bit (A balance between speed and security)", "AES 256-bit (The most secure, but slowest)". (Only shown when checked the "Encrypt the image file in temporary directory" option)
Encrypt password Enter the encryption password. (Only shown when checked the "Encrypt the image file in temporary directory" option)
Re-enter encrypt password Re-enter the encryption password to verify the encryption password. (Only shown when checked the "Encrypt the image file in temporary directory" option)


To create a backup set:

  1. Type in a meaningful backup set name.
  2. Enter correct backup type, eg: ShadowProtect System Backup
  3. Enter the path to StorageCraft ShadowProtect, eg: C:\Program Files (x86)\StorageCraft\ShadowProtect
  4. Check the option of "Encrypt the image file in temporary directory". (optional)
  5. Enter the algorithm type if checked the "Encrypt the image file in temporary directory" option.
  6. Enter the encryption password if checked the "Encrypt the image file in temporary directory" option.
  7. Re-enter the encryption password to verify the encryption password if checked the "Encrypt the image file in temporary directory" option.
  8. Click [Next] button to continue.