Backup the system

We recommend that you use system backups for a means of disaster recovery and for when planning to upgrade your system. Do not use them for any other purpose, for example, as a method of cloning ARgon Servers when creating a peer group. For purposes other than disaster recovery and system upgrades you should use Configuration Backup & Restore.

Clearswift ARgon for Email enables you to transfer your system configuration to a specified FTP server as a backup. In the event of a system failure, the backup can then be quickly and easily restored with minimal data loss.

Tell me about...

• System areas available for backup

  System Area	Includes...
  Configuration	The content security policy defined in the Policy Center, configuration options selected in the System Center, and custom reports created in the Reports Center.
  System logs	System logs produced by the ARgon Server. Logs can be examined to investigate problems and events.

• Impact on the ARgon Server

  The backup process can involve extracting and uploading a large amount of data from your ARgon Server to a hosting server. The first time you perform a backup, the process may take several hours to complete. Subsequent backups to the same location are faster, as the ARgon Server only exports data that has been added or changed since the previous backup operation.

• Interrupting a Backup

  It is recommended that the backup process is not interrupted. However, if it is necessary to cancel a backup, you should restart the service. This leaves an incomplete backup on the FTP server, which will not be restorable. See Managing Services for more information on how to start and stop services.

How do I...

• Perform a system backup?

  1. From the Home page, click System > Backup & Restore. The Backup & Restore page is displayed, with the System tab selected.
  2. On the Task Pane, click Backup System Now. The Backup System Now dialog box is displayed, enabling you to check your FTP Settings and select the System Areas you want to backup.

  3. Use the checkboxes to select the system areas you want to archive.

  4. Click Backup. The ARgon Server begins the export process.

• Schedule an automated system backup?

  You can schedule a maximum of one backup per day.

  1. From the Home page, click System > Backup & Restore. The Backup & Restore page is displayed, with the System tab selected.
  2. In the Backup Settings panel, click Click here to change these settings.
  3. Select Enable system backup. This activates the list of system areas for backup.

  4. Select the system areas you want to be included in the scheduled backup.

  5. Use the schedule grid to select the times and days you want the ARgon Server to perform the backup.

     It is recommended that you select a time of day when there is minimal activity on the ARgon Server.

  6. Click Save.
  7. Check that your FTP server is correctly configured using the FTP Settings panel.
     

• Configure my FTP connection?

  1. From the Home page, click System > Backup & Restore. The Backup & Restore page is displayed, with the System tab selected.
  2. In the FTP Settings panel, click Click here to change these settings.

  3. Enter the details of your FTP server:

     Setting	Description
     Server Type	Type of connection: FTP, FTPS (implicit), FTPS (explicit) or SFTP.
     FTP Server	The fully qualified domain name or IP address of the FTP server.
     Port	The port connecting the ARgon Server to the FTP server. Firewall ports for a list of default ports.
     User name	Logon credentials for the FTP server.
     Password	Logon credentials for the FTP server.
     Remote folder	The folder in which backup files will be stored. This folder is created automatically during the backup process if it is not found on the server.

  4. Click Save.

• Test my FTP connection?

  1. From the Home page, click System > Backup & Restore. The Backup & Restore page is displayed, with the System tab selected.
  2. On the Task Pane, click Test FTP Settings. The Test FTP Connection dialog box is displayed with the current FTP server settings.

  3. Enter the FTP settings you want to test.

  4. Click Run Test. The dialog displays the test results.

See also...

• Restoring a System Backup
• Backing up and Restoring a Configuration