NovaBACKUP Quick Start Guide

File Backup

A standard file backup is simply an archive of data that may be restored in the event of data loss. This archive is generally made from the files which you select as being important (or an entire file system) and may be encrypted, or compressed.

File backup is a primary backup that runs one or more times per day to back up all business-critical data.

Image Backup (Disaster Recovery)

An image backup is different from a standard file backup. It is intended to back up the underlying data structures of a computer including the operating system and applications for emergency restoration in the event of a disaster. In this case, your destination may be a completely different computer or set of hardware.

The image-based backup is usually performed once a week.

System configuration changes rarely occur, however, if they do, we always recommend that you perform a full image backup, which offers the safest and fastest method for recovery.

Different Types of Backup Jobs:

Full Backup: a data or image backup of all (selected) data or drives or partitions.
Differential Backup: a backup with all changes since the last full backup.
Incremental Backup: A backup that only contains the files that have changed since the most
recent backup (either full or incremental).

Depending on the system, NovaBACKUP can be installed in just a few minutes and consists of just 3 steps. The following step-by-step guide was created based on NovaBACKUP Business Essentials.

IMPORTANT: NovaBACKUP is always installed on the system that contains the data to be backed up. The backup memory to be used must be available locally on the system and recognized by Windows. If you store your backup on a NAS, you must ensure that the NAS is appropriately available over the network. Hidden network drives or directories are currently not supported by NovaBACKUP.

Each installation is independent and therefore requires its own license.

STEP 1: Start Installation

Copy the NovaBACKUP installer to the system on which NovaBACKUP will be used. Alternatively, you can start the installer directly from any connected removable device.

STEP 2: Activate License

Run the setup. Follow the instructions of the setup program. After a few steps, you get to the input window with the license activation. Please fill in the input fields accordingly and enter your license key.
By clicking [Next], NovaBACKUP contacts the license server and activates the license.

STEP 3: Launch the Program

After the installation is complete, you will find the NovaBACKUP icon on the desktop. Now double-click the icon to start the NovaBACKUP user interface.
You will find all the necessary steps for setup below.

If you would like to back up to the NovaBACKUP-hosted cloud, your NovaBACKUP license must have cloud storage. If you did not purchase cloud storage, contact ols@novabackup.com to add cloud storage.

This guide will help you to connect your NovaBACKIUP software to NovaBACKUP-hosted Cloud Storage for the first time so that you can back up to the cloud.

Select [Cloud Backup] from the Home tab.
If this is the first time using the cloud with this software license, click the [Register] button.
Fill out the requested information to create an account and click [Register] to confirm.
- Provide a memorable username. We recommend using your email address here.
- Enter your email address
- Provide and confirm a Password. (Your Password must be between 6 and 64 characters).

IMPORTANT: This Password will encrypt your data, as such YOU CANNOT RESET YOUR PASSWORD, and if you forget it, YOU WILL BE UNABLE TO ACCESS YOUR DATA

- Confirm your License Key is correct. If you need to change your license key on this machine, close the open dialog and select Help->Registration to change it.
When your cloud storage device has been configured, you will see this screen. Click [OK].
You're done adding your cloud storage device. Now just select Cloud Storage as the [Backup to...] destination when you set up your file or image backups to backup to the cloud.

Set up a network device (NAS) for data backup.

In order to simplify the process of backing up to a NAS storage device, a "NAS device" is set up once.

After that, the NAS device can be selected as the target in each backup job with a click. The NAS device automatically provides all necessary permissions for communication between Windows and the NAS storage.

First, integrate the desired network device (NAS) so that it is recognized as a "device" by NovaBACKUP. Open NovaBACKUP. On the Home tab, click [Add Network Device].
Enter a device name. It is used to identify the device and is displayed in the device lists throughout the application. Click on the Network path (UNC path) button [...] to get a selection of directories or enter the UNC path directly.
Select a network directory and confirm with [OK].
The domain, user name, and user password details are optional but depend on your network settings. Confirm with [OK]. After a successful test connection, the device is created. From now on you can use this device (alias) as a target for newly created backup jobs.
Check the NAS creation: Click [Device] in the menu bar at the top. The device name of your NAS drive will appear in the device list. When you set up your backups, your NAS device will be ready to use as a backup destination.

Backup Files and Microsoft SQL/Exchange to a NAS device

To create a scheduled backup job for business-critical data such as files, folders, and an MS SQL database or an Exchange Server, click on the [Backup].tab in the top menu or click the [Start] button.

In the Backup tab, please perform the following steps:

Set the Backup Name and the Media Name
Select files and folders to be backed up
Select complete SQL Server or only individual databases if required. You can also select Microsoft Exchange if necessary.
Click on [Backup to] on the bottom left, select the NAS device "Your NAS" that you have previously set up, verify the media name, and then confirm by clicking [OK].

Next, please click the [Settings] button to configure the following things:

"Backup" - Set all backup options and the backup mode here.
"Notification" - Set up the e-mail dispatch of the logs here.
"Encryption" - If you back up your data to a removable media device like RDX, encrypt your backups.
"User-specific commands" - Store pre-/post-script (batch), which is executed before or after the backup here. For example, you can also back up other databases at the file level.

Next, set up a backup schedule using the [Schedule] button at the bottom.

Select the Job Name from the drop-down menu (shown below highlighted in yellow).
Specify when and at what intervals the backup job should run.
On the right side, you need to enter the user with access to the data selected for backup. This means the backup works without errors even when you're logged out. Then, click [Check Credentials].
The backup job is set up by clicking the [OK] button to confirm. You will find the backup job under Schedule at the top of the main navigation. The backup job can be adjusted at any time.

Perform a file backup for files on your PC.

From the Home tab, click on the green [Start] button.
Enter a Backup Name (1) and select the files you will like to backup from the Backup Source Window (2 and 3). Then choose where you would like to backup to (4) and then click the [Schedule] button (5).
Save unsaved changes to your backup by clicking [Yes] to confirm.
Confirm the Script File name and choose [Save].
Select a backup schedule that works for you. To schedule backups to repeat, change "Type of Schedule" from One Time to [Daily]. Select the Date you would like it to start running, how often you would like the backup job to repeat, and on which days you would like it to run, and then click [OK].

NOTE: The Machine must be on, and a user "logged In", for a scheduled job to run.
To view your backup schedule, click on the [Schedule] tab.

To restore a file backup click on the [Restore] tab in the top navigation.
Select the backup you would like to restore from and the files you would like to restore.

NOTE: (Optional) If you would like to restore by time frame, click on the green link [To Time Frame]
Click the [Settings] button to set up how you would like the file restored. You can choose to overwrite the existing files or only do so if they are older. You can also restore the files to the original location or restore the files to an alternate location. Click the [OK] button to confirm your selections. Click the [Restore] button to start the restore.

NOTE: By default, restores will overwrite your existing files to their original location.
From the [Status] tab, you will see the progress of your restore and can pause, stop or resume a restore at any point, until the restore is complete.
To view the final status log for your restore, click the link [Please click here for the log] or click the [Logs] tab in the top navigation.

Backup retention for automatic cleanup of backup jobs

Backup retention helps you automatically clean up any backup jobs so that your storage medium does not fill up with countless backups.

Click on the [Schedule] tab (1) in the top navigation and then select the [Backup Retention...] button (2) in the bottom left.
Under "Keep backups using this setting" select "Age" (1). To keep the last two weeks worth of File Backups, Choose "2" (2) and "Weeks" (3) under "Maximum backup age". Select "Normal Backup" (4) under "Backup Type to process" and click [Save...] (5) to save your retention job.
Select a File Name for your retention job (1). and click the [Save] button (2).
You will be returned to the [Schedule] tab. Click [Add...] (1) to schedule your retention job.
Schedule your retention job. Click in the bar shown in blue or use the down arrow to select which job you would like to schedule.

- Select "Daily" (1) as the Type of Schedule.
- Adjust the First Run Date (2) and Time (3) you want the Retention to run (10 min before the Full is good!).
- Run only on Friday (4) (Or whenever works best for your schedule).
- Run as a specific user (5) and enter your Windows Log On Credentials, (User Name & Password) (6).
- Check Credentials to confirm they are valid (7).
- Click [OK] to schedule the job (8).

Important NOTE!

If you select by the number of backups, instead of by age, it is advisable to define separate storage for each backup job. Each completed backup is saved with the media name defined in the backup job and can be cleaned up individually. For a more detailed description of backup retention, see our Knowledge Base.

Set up logs/reports and send them to e-mail/printer

The reporting functions in NovaBACKUP offer significant added value. They ensure more transparency in data backup. Easy-to-understand e-mail reports can be set up with just one click.

As with the logs, only the email address is required for the setup and can therefore also be carried out by a layperson. An additional setup of an SMTP is possible, but not necessary. If necessary, the report can also be output directly to a printer. You can choose between daily, weekly, or monthly reports (also to multiple recipients).

The reports can be sent in addition to the detailed logs. The reports give a very quick and uncomplicated overview of the status of all jobs that were executed by NovaBACKUP in the selected report period.

Example above:
View of a sample report. This can not only be sent to one or more e-mail addresses but also to a printer.

To set up email logs, please follow the steps below:

From the home screen, click the NovaBACKUP icon in the top left. Select the [Default Settings] option.
Switch to the [Notification] tab.
Activate e-mail notification by checking the [Email] box and, then select the circumstances under which you would like to receive the logs by e-mail.
Click on [Email settings] to store the email address or, if necessary, to define your own SMTP server.
Go to the [Logs] tab from the main navigation at the top, then click the [Set up reports] button at the bottom.
In the following window, use the tabs to select whether you want to receive the reports daily, weekly, or monthly and enter the e-mail addresses of all people who should receive reports. You can enter multiple recipients separated by a semicolon.

Create an image-level backup of your entire system including your operating system.

This backup is required in order to be able to restore the entire system with all programs and settings in an emergency.

From the Home tab, select [Image Backup].
Next, select the first option, [Image backup schedule]. Select the [Next] button.
Select the physical drives by selecting the Disk and the Drive(s) you would like to create an image of.
Choose the Backup Name, then click [Backup to....] to select the backup destination where you would like to store your image backup. Then select the Backup Type, Backup Method, and Image Type you would like to use and confirm by clicking [Next].

Note: Options are explained in further detail below.
1. Backup Type
  NovaBACKUP Image: Creates an Image Backup of your entire drive for disaster recovery.
  VHD: Virtual Hard Disk (VHD) is used to restore an image to a virtual Hyper-V.
  VHDX: Virtual Hard Disk (VHD v2) is used for image restores to Hyper-V, VMware, and VirtualBox (for Windows Server 2012 and later versions).
  
  Recommendation: If you are NOT planning on restoring to a virtual machine, select "NovaBACKUP Image".
2. Backup Method:
  Full-Only: This creates a full image backup of your entire system.
  Full-Differential: This stores a full version and then backs up the changes since the last full version.
  Full-Incremental: This stores a full version and then the changes since the last image backup (full or incremental).
3. Image Type:
  Used Sectors: This option only copies sectors used by the file system, thus reducing the image size and backup time.
  Forensic:: This option is a bit-by-bit, sector-by-sector direct copy of a system, including all files, folders, and unallocated, free, and slack space.
  Forensic direct: This option is important for digital forensic investigators because unallocated space that may contain deleted files or other residual data that could be used as direct evidence in an investigation is included in the type of image.
  
  Recommendation: In the majority of the cases, you would select "Used Sectors"
4. After backup action:
  Do nothing
  Shut down computer
  Restart computer
  
  Recommendation: Unless you want your system to shut down or restart after the image backup job runs, select "Do nothing."
5. Additional Options:
  Compress the backup: This reduced the file size of the backup and increases backup speed.
  Verify the backup: This tests a backup for errors or information loss to ensure that data is valid.
  Encryption settings: Encryption adds an additional layer of security by converting your data to an unreadable format that can only be accessed and read with an encryption key. This prevents unauthorized access to your private data.
Schedule your Image Backup.
Define the backup interval. This backup should typically take place weekly, eg at the weekend or overnight.
Create a meaningful Job Name.
Change the “run this job” option to “run as specific user” and enter your Windows login credentials. Click the [Check Credentials] button to verify that this is a valid user account.
After checking the credentials, you can click [Finish]. The image backup schedule that you just created is now in the [Schedule] tab ready for its first image backup.

Creating a Disaster Recovery Boot Disc (Boot Media).

From the Home tab, select [Image Backup].
Click the second option, [Image Backup Creation Tool ...].
A welcome page will open. From there, click the [Boot Disc] button.
Choose the type of boot media. Select [Simple] (recommended Boot Media Type) then click the [Next] button.

Note: The [Advanced] option is for server operating systems that need to specify RAID controller drivers. Drivers can be loaded after booting the PC to the image boot media.
Next, click the [Create Image] button to create a customized bootable image. Once you see that the process completed successfully, click the [Next] button to continue.
To create the boot disc with the recovery environment, select the device you would like to write the boot disc image to. If you add the device after you have reached this screen, click the refresh button to get the drive to show. Select it and click the [Finish] button.

Note: In the example above, you can choose whether you want to write the boot disc to a CD/DVD or a USB stick. Alternatively, you can simply create an ISO file, which you can use to burn onto a blank CD at a later date.

Perform system recovery using Disaster Recovery Boot Disc.

These image recovery steps are for version 19.2 or newer, as a new Disaster Recovery boot disk (DRBoot) for restoring an Image Backup of a System Partition was released with that version.

IMPORTANT: Before you get started with your disaster recovery using your Boot Disc, please look up the required F Key for your computer model. This is needed for step 2.

Insert the boot disc CD/USB stick and start the computer.
If the "Boot Device Menu" does not automatically launch, you will need to know which F key on your PC's keyboard to press during the start-up screen to enter your "Boot Device Menu".
Select your optical CD drive or USB flash drive as the first drive in your boot-up sequence. This will allow your system to access the DR Boot Disk media which you previously created, rather than attempting to boot from your hard disk.
Confirm your display and networking settings needed to start the environment using the Image Backup Control Panel dialog. Click [OK]
Select [Start Restoration] to start the restoration of data from your existing image.
Locate the Image Backup File (.NDF) to restore from. Click [Open].
Select the Source drive. The source when the Image Backup was created.
Select the Target drive. This is the listing of the current partitions on the installed drives. This is what you are replacing using your Image Backup.
Choose [Start drive restoration] after selecting a Source and Target drive. Note: A dialog box will appear to confirm settings.
Confirm the settings. Click [Start].
If data exists on the Target drive, a dialog will appear confirming you wish to "Completely delete the target drive". Choose [Delete] to replace the contents of the Target drive.

NOTE: This prompt will appear if you select any partition that already has data on it, to perform the restore you must delete the previous contents.
The Restore process will start and display the progress with some status estimation information.
A Dialog box will appear when the restore process has been completed. Click [Close] to finish.
Close the Drive restoration window by clicking the [X] in the top right corner.
A dialog will appear asking if you wish to restart the computer, select [Yes].