Overview

Backing up the database stops the system server. It restarts automatically after the operation is completed. For a large database, this may take one hour or more.

NOTE: Always store database backup files in a secure location to help prevent data tampering. This includes, but is not limited to, setting a password, restricting users who can access backup storage folders and defining the appropriate permissions for each user.

Backup File Name

The name of database backup files has the following format <Computer name>_<YYYY-MM-DD>T<HH_MM_SS>.dbk where:

  • <Computer name> is the name of the computer on which you have configured database backups.

  • <YYYY-MM-DD>T<HH_MM_SS> is the date and time when the backup was started.

Example: Station1_2021-10-25T09_45_10.dbk

NOTE: Do not modify the file name format because it may not appear in the Manage Backup Files tab anymore.

Backup File Content

A database backup contains the complete data of the system projects that exist in the Control Expert repository of the computer on which the backup is performed.

But it does not contain the following:

  • DTMs (including EDS and GSD files).

  • Installed hotfixes.

  • The history of activities (notification and HISTORY panes).

  • System projects of the earlier Control Expert version with status Not Imported or Not Compatible.

Backing Up the Database On Server Start

Step Action

1

On the computer acting as system server, from the Windows® Start menu, click EcoStruxure Control Expert > Server Configuration .

Result: The Server Configuration tool opens.

NOTE: You need administrator rights on the computer to open the tool.

2

Select the Back Up Database tab and enable database backup.

3

Verify that the storage folder has sufficient free space, select the On server start backup mode, and click Apply .

Result: A confirmation dialog box opens.

4

Confirm the operation and close the Server Configuration tool.

Result: Each time this computer system server is restarted, a database backup is performed.

NOTE:

You can view the result of the backup operation either way:

  • By opening the Windows® Event Viewer (Windows Logs > Application , Source = SE.Automation.SystemManager.Configuration).

  • By selecting the Manage Backup Files tab of the Server Configuration tool and verifying the presence of the file.

Backing Up the Database On a Schedule

Step Action

1

On the computer acting as system server, from the Windows® Start menu, click EcoStruxure Control Expert > Server Configuration .

Result: The Server Configuration tool opens.

NOTE: You need administrator rights on the computer to open the tool.

2

Select the Back Up Database tab and enable database backup.

3

Select the On a schedule backup mode.

NOTE: Verify that the disk has sufficient free space (up to 1 GB of disk space is needed for one large database backup file)

4

Configure the database backup frequency and refine the schedule.

NOTE: Verify that the system server can be stopped at the configured dates and time. That is, no system project is open in a Control Expert instance.

5

Click Apply.

Result: A confirmation dialog box opens.

6

Confirm the operation and close the Server Configuration tool.

Result:

  • Two hours before the scheduled dates and time, a notification about the upcoming system server stop is shown in the toolbar of connected clients.

  • At the scheduled dates and time, the system server that is running on this computer will be stopped, connected clients disconnected, and a database backup performed. The server will restart automatically and clients will be reconnected.

NOTE:

You can view the result of the backup operation either way:

  • By opening the Windows® Event Viewer (Windows Logs > Application , Source = SE.Automation.SystemManager.Configuration).

  • By selecting the Manage Backup Files tab of the Server Configuration tool and verifying the presence of the file.