Importing and Exporting Central Configuration Manager settings

Because the Central Configuration Manager is the hub on which Network Server Suite operates, it is wise to take a backup so that should the device on which it is running fails, settings can be easily and quickly restored to a new machine.

Likewise, if multiple installations of Central Configuration Manager are running on the network it is possible to save time by exporting and then importing settings between these installations.

NOTE: Any existing settings are overwritten when Central Configuration Manager settings are imported.

Exporting Settings from Central Configuration Manager

Settings exported from Central Configuration Manager include:

  • All systems
  • Defined Rules
  • Defined Templates
  • Defined Reporting activities

The file generated is saved as an comma separated file (.csf) document with an automatically generated file name identifying the Component – Date (yyyy-mm-dd) – Time (hh:mm:ss). You can override this file name if desired.

The generated file is saved to:

%Program Files%\Halcyon\Central Configuration Manager\Console\Backup

by default, although this setting can also be overridden if required.

NOTE: When importing settings, the Central Configuration Manager defaults to the backup directory as the initial location when searching for compatible files.
To export Central Configuration Manager settings:
  1. From the Central Configuration Manager quick access options in the top-left corner of Central Configuration Manager, click Export Settings. The Save As dialog is displayed.
  2. Select the directory path to which the Central Configuration Manager settings export file is saved.
  3. Enter a file name by which to identify the export file. The default entry for this field is in the format of: ‘CCMServer-YYYY-MM-DD-HHMMSS-Ms.csf.’ It is recommended that this setting is retained unless internal practices require a specific entry format.
  4. Retain the setting of ‘.csf’ in the Save as type field and click Save to create the named Central Configuration Manager settings file in the specified directory.

Importing Settings into Central Configuration Manager

WARNING: By importing settings from another instance of Central Configuration Manager, you overwrite any existing data. This action cannot be undone.
To import Central Configuration Manager settings:
  1. From the Central Configuration Manager quick access options in the top-left corner of Central Configuration Manager click Import Settings. A prompt is displayed to confirm the import action all existing systems and templates are overwritten on completion.
  2. Click Yes to confirm the import of device settings and display the Import Settings dialog.
  3. From within the Look In field, navigate to the network directory path where the Central Configuration Manager settings file (.csf) is stored. Click on the file to be imported so that it is highlighted and then click Open to start the import process.
  4. When the import process is complete, a system message is displayed confirming the successful import of the settings. Click OK to close this message and display the list of imported systems in the Systems tab of the Central Configuration Manager left-hand navigation panel.

Template settings can also be exported and imported. See Exporting and Importing Templates.

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