Overview

The Manage Backup Files tab of the Server Configuration tool lets you restore a database from a backup file manually.

Restoring a database stops the system server. It restarts automatically after the operation is completed. This may take one hour or more for a large database.

Before a backup file is restored, the software creates a copy of the current database, which lets you undo the restore operation.

If a password has been applied to the database backup file, you need to enter it when prompted to be able to restore the file.

NOTE: Restoring a database overwrites the database that is mounted.
NOTE: You need administrator rights on the computer on which you open the Server Configuration tool.

Software Version Compatibility

You can restore a database backup file only with the same version of Control Expert.

NOTE: To make your system projects compatible with the next version of Control Expert, export them while the Supports Upward Compatibility check box is selected.

Managing Disk Space

Depending on the selected schedule and the size of the database, backup files that the software creates can use up a lot of disk space over time. Manage the folders containing backup files regularly to make sure sufficient disk space remains available for new files to be created.

Restoring Databases on a Different System Server

Avoid restoring a database to a Control Expert system server on another computer. If it is required, before you restore the database, verify that the same Control Expert hotfixes and Device Type Managers (DTMs) are also installed on the other computer. Otherwise, system projects may not be usable.

Manage Backup Files Tab

The following figure shows an example of backup files that you can use to restore the database.

Item Description

1

Path to the folder containing the database backup files.

Clicking Reset Directory resets the path to the location where backup files are created.

NOTE: When you select a network location, verify that the folder can be accessed from the computer running the system server. You need to enter credentials to set the network path and to view the content of the network location when you reopen the Server Configuration tool.

2

List of database backup files that have been created in the selected folder. The file name, creation date, the time the backup was started, and the file size are indicated.

Files in subfolders are not shown.

The view is automatically refreshed.

3

Total size of backup files inside the selected folder.

4

Lets you restore the selected backup file.

5

Lets you permanently delete the selected backup files.

6

Lets you undo the last restore operation. The button is disabled once the restore has been undone.

Restoring a Database

NOTE: Database restore does not work when the Server Administration Console system server console window is open (EcoStruxure Control Expert > Server Administration Console from the Windows Start menu) or if the system server is not running.
Step Action

1

Verify that no system project is open in theControl Expert instances that are connected to the system server.

2

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

Result: The Server Configuration tool opens.

3

Select the Manage Backup Files tab.

4

Browse to a folder in which the backup files for this system server are stored and select one file.

NOTE: When you select a network location, verify that the folder can be accessed from the computer running the system server. You may need to enter credentials.

5

Click the Restore button.

Result: A confirmation dialog box opens.

6

Confirm the operation.

Result: The system server is stopped, a copy of the current database is created, and the database restore operation starts. This overwrites the database that is mounted. The server restarts automatically.

NOTE: If a password has been applied, a dialog box opens and you need to enter the password that was in effect in the Back Up Database tab when the database backup file was created. Otherwise, you cannot restore the backup file.

7

Open the Windows Event Viewer (Windows Logs > Application, Source = SE.Automation.SystemManager.Configuration) and confirm that the database restore operation completed successfully.

Undoing a Restore Operation

You can undo only the last database restore operation. This mounts again the database that was mounted before the last restoration.

NOTE: Undo does not work when the Server Administration Console system server console window is open (EcoStruxure Control Expert > Server Administration Console from the Windows Start menu) or if the system server is not running.
Step Action

1

Verify that no system project is open in the Control Expert instances that are connected to the system server.

2

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

Result: The Server Configuration tool opens.

3

Select the Manage Backup Files tab and click the Undo last restore button if it is enabled.

Result: A confirmation dialog box opens.

NOTE: The backup directory and the file that are selected have no impact on the undo operation.

6

Confirm the operation.

Result: The system server is stopped and the last restore operation is undone. A confirmation dialog box opens once it is completed. The Undo last restore button is disabled.

NOTE: If a password was in effect in the Back Up Database tab when the database was restored, you need to enter this password to be able to perform the undo.

7

Open the Windows Event Viewer (Windows Logs > Application, Source = SE.Automation.SystemManager.Configuration) and confirm that the database restore operation completed successfully.

Deleting Database Backup Files

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.

2

Select the Manage Backup Files tab.

3

Browse to a folder in which the backup files for this system server are stored and select one or more files that you want to delete.

NOTE: When you select a network location, verify that the folder can be accessed from the computer running the system server. You may need to enter credentials.

4

Click Delete.

Result: A confirmation dialog box opens, which contains the names of the selected backup files.

5

Verify the file names and confirm the operation.

Result: The selected backup files are permanently deleted.