In this article, you will learn
- where to access the Backup function in Workflow and
- which backups can be made using this function.
Introduction
The Backup function is available under Local Workflow in the Applications section of the PPD Tools Collection main menu [1].
If you are planning to make critical changes to the database or file management and the effects are not foreseeable, a backup can be created before the changes are made. The backup can be created without Production Jobs or Print Items thus minimizing the size of the backup. Workflow can then be started with the relevant backup and the changes tested. If the tests are successful, the productive instance can be restarted and the same changes made.
To ensure that all functions are available, the PPD Tools Collection must be started as an administrator.
Intercepted errors
Please note that not all errors are intercepted. Therefore, data may be lost under certain circumstances! This operation is not intended to be a backup strategy! Users are responsible for backups and integrity themselves.
Figure 1: The Backup menu item in the Applications of the PPD Tools Collection
Functioning and User Interface
The central functions of the dialog are the two tabs Backup [12] and Manage Backups [13], which are described in more detail below.
"Backup" Tab
Backups can be created in this tab. By default, backups are created in the pms_data folder. However, you can choose any destination folder you like. Note: if the destination folder is changed, these backups cannot be managed with "Manage Backups"!
The following functions are available in this tab:
- PMS_DATA is Destination [2] – this check box is selected by default, and the backups are created in the pms_data folder.
- Destination Folder [3] – this selection field is only activated when the PMS_Data is Destination checkbox is deactivated. Select the desired target directory by clicking on the adjacent checkbox.
- Add. Backup Info [4] – a name for the backup can be entered in this text field.
- Exclude Print Items and Production Jobs [5] – by activating this checkbox, the folders production_job and motif are not backed up. This makes the backup take less time, but means that no job data is included in the backup.
- Backup Database [6] – clicking this button only backs up the database.
- Backup Filemanagement and Database [7] – this button is used to perform a full backup. However, if the Exclude Print Items and Production Jobs check box is selected, this data will be missing from the backup.
- DB Folder Size [8] – this information shows the folder size of the database.
- FM Folder Size [9] – this information shows the folder sizes with and without the data of the Production Jobs and Print Items.
- Monitor [10] – here the progress of the backup can be followed.
- Restart as Admin to activate all functions [11] – use this button to restart the application as an administrator in order to access all available functions.
- Figure 2: The Backup tab with the corresponding dialog
"Manage Backups" Tab
The backups can be managed in this tab.
The following functions and information are available:
- Current Instance [14] – shows whether the Workflow was started with the original instance or a backup.
- Backup Dropdown [15] – select an available backup, and you can also enter new backup information using the R button [18].
- Database Dropdown [16] – select the database that should be backed up.
- Filemanagement [17] – if available, the file management can be checked here.
- Create ZIP from selected Backup [19] – clicking on this button creates a ZIP file of the selected backup. This is mainly used to transfer a backup more quickly.
- Run Default Instance [21] – clicking this button starts the Workflow with the original instance.
- Delete selected Backup [20] – clicking this button deletes the selected backup.
- Run selected Backup [23] – clicking this button starts the Workflow with the selected backup.
- Delete PJs and Print Items [22] – when a backup was created without Production Jobs and Print Items, then production data (Production Jobs, Print Order, Articles, Print Items) can be moved to the DW trash by clicking on this button.
- Monitor [24] – follow the process here.
- Restart as Admin to activate all functions [25] – use this button to restart the application as an administrator to access all available functions.
Figure 3: The Backup dialog with the Manage Backups tab
Artikel update: 12/2024