Scheduling Database Backups

Overview

The Back Up Database tab of the Server Configuration tool lets you create a database backup file containing data of system projects that are stored in the Control Expert repository of the system server. That is, the system projects that appear in the Projects section of the Start Page when you are connected to the server.

You can back up the database automatically either way:

When the computer that acts as the system server is restarted.
On a one-time or recurring schedule.

You can set a password, which is applied to database backup files when they are created. The password is required to restore a password-protected backup file.

NOTE: Open the Server Configuration tool on the computer that acts as the system server in your Control Expert architecture. You need administrator rights on the computer to open the tool.

Back Up Database Tab

Item	Description
1	Off (gray): No database backup is performed. Your settings are not discarded when you turn off backups and apply. On (green): Database backups are performed according to the backup mode and/or schedule that has been applied.
2	Folder where backup files that are created with either backup mode are stored. The path is read-only. Clicking the browse button opens a Windows File Explorer, which lets you move existing backup files to a different folder.
3	Database backup mode. On a schedule: Performs database backups based on the schedule that has been applied. On server start: Performs a database backup each time the computer on which the system server runs is restarted. The server starts after the backup is completed. The mode is not available when you select a backup directory on the network.
4	Database backup frequency.
5	Lets you set the date and time when the backup will be performed (One Time ) or the date when the schedule will start. When scheduled, the backup will be performed at the time that is set. NOTE: Once, before a scheduled backup is performed, a notification about the upcoming system server stop is shown in the toolbar of connected clients. The notification appears two hours before the scheduled time (or immediately if a schedule is created for a backup in less than two hours).
6	Lets you refine the schedule for the selected frequency (except for One Time ).
	Daily	You can select intervals from 1 to 365 days. For example, every 10 days.
	Weekly	You can select: One or more days of the week. Intervals from 1 to 52 weeks. For example, every 3 weeks.
	Monthly	You can select: The day of the month. For example, 3rd day of the month. Intervals of 1, 2, 3, 4, 6 or 12 months. For example, every 2 months.
7	Lets you manage password-protection for database backup files. NOTE: The status of the password protection cannot be indicated and the password cannot be managed 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.
8	Applies your settings and keeps the Server Configuration tool open. Setting, changing, and clearing the password does not require clicking Apply.

Setting A Backup File Password

To set a password for database backup files, proceed as follows.

Step	Action
1	In the Back Up Database tab of the Server Configuration tool , click Define Password... .
2	In the dialog box that opens, enter the password, confirm it by entering it again, and click OK . Result: If the password is valid, a confirmation message is shown and the password is applied to database backup files that are created from now on. Otherwise, you need to reenter the password.

Step

Action

In the Back Up Database tab of the Server Configuration tool , click Define Password... .

In the dialog box that opens, enter the password, confirm it by entering it again, and click OK .

Result: If the password is valid, a confirmation message is shown and the password is applied to database backup files that are created from now on. Otherwise, you need to reenter the password.

Changing the Password

To set a new password for database backup files, proceed as follows.

Step	Action
1	In the Back Up Database tab of the Server Configuration tool , click Define Password....
2	In the dialog box that opens, enter the current password, the new password, confirm it by entering it again, and click OK. Result: If the current and new passwords are valid, a confirmation message is shown and the new password is applied to database backup files that are created from now on. Otherwise, you need to reenter the passwords. NOTE: The password of existing database backup files is not changed.

Step

Action

In the Back Up Database tab of the Server Configuration tool , click Define Password....

In the dialog box that opens, enter the current password, the new password, confirm it by entering it again, and click OK.

Result: If the current and new passwords are valid, a confirmation message is shown and the new password is applied to database backup files that are created from now on. Otherwise, you need to reenter the passwords.

NOTE: The password of existing database backup files is not changed.

Clearing the Password

To clear the password for database backup files, proceed as follows.

Step	Action
1	In the Back Up Database tab of the Server Configuration tool , click Clear Password....
2	In the dialog box that opens, enter the current password and click OK. Result: If the password is valid, a confirmation message is shown and no password is applied to database backup files that are created from now on. Otherwise, you need to reenter the password. NOTE: The password of existing database backup files is not cleared.

Step

Action

In the Back Up Database tab of the Server Configuration tool , click Clear Password....

In the dialog box that opens, enter the current password and click OK.

Result: If the password is valid, a confirmation message is shown and no password is applied to database backup files that are created from now on. Otherwise, you need to reenter the password.

NOTE: The password of existing database backup files is not cleared.

Recovering a Forgotten Password

If you are prompted to enter the password for a database backup file and have forgotten it, proceed as follows to receive a temporary password.

Step	Action
1	In the dialog box prompting you to enter the password that is set, click I forgot my password. Result: An unlock code is displayed in the dialog box.
2	Contact Schneider Electric support and provide the unlock code. Result: You receive a temporary password.
3	Enter the temporary password in the Password text box.
4	Follow the procedure describing how to change the password and use the temporary password as the current password. NOTE: The password of existing database backup files is not changed.