Disaster Recovery / Backup and Restore

Question

Is there a recommended or documented method for backup/recovery of the ADAXES system?

Having upgraded at least once, i know that there are two backup utilities, one for the ADAXES services: Softerra.Adaxes.BackupRestore.exe
And another for the WebConfiguration: Softerra.Adaxes.Web.UI.Configuration.exe

My thought is that creating flat file backups using these utilities would be sufficient (or essentially automating the pre-upgrade process detailed here: http://adaxes.com/resources/InstNotes.htm#upgrade) as they are command-line scriptable but would like some confirmation.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Hello,

Yes, you can use the backup/restore utilities from the command line for backuping/restoring Adaxes configuration. You may as well schedule Adaxes backups via Windows Task Scheduler with these utilities, include them in your CMD files or NAnt scripts. The files created by the backup/restore applications are sufficient to restore your Adaxes service and Adaxes Web Interface configurations.

Comments

Got it, thanks. Once I figure out the proper commands i'll post them for others to see/use.

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If you mean command line parameters for usage with the backup/restore tools, we have them in our help articles: Backup/Restore Command Line Parameters, Command Line for Web Interface Backup/Restore

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Are there any specific instructions for scheduling backups using Task Scheduler?

I've created a batch file that contains the following syntax and setup a Scheduled Task. When I attempt to run the Scheduled Task nothing happens. When I trigger my batch file directly (not using Task Scheduler) it works with no issues.

Softerra.Adaxes.BackupRestore.exe /b C:\Adaxes.bak -l C:\AdaxesBackup.log -u DOMAIN\Administrator secret

Also, is there a way to accomplish the backup so that the password is not visible in the command syntax?

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I got my Scheduled Tasks to work by setting the "Start In" path manually under the Action properties of the Task.

I would still like to know, is there a way to accomplish the backup so that the password is not visible in the command syntax?

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Hello Michael,

I got my Scheduled Tasks to work by setting the "Start In" path manually under the Action properties of the Task.

Yes, that is what was missing. Also, you could just as well specify the full path to Softerra.Adaxes.BackupRestore.exe in your batch file.

I would still like to know, is there a way to accomplish the backup so that the password is not visible in the command syntax?

Yes, this is possible. You can set the Task to execute Softerra.Adaxes.BackupRestore.exe under the credentials of Adaxes default service administrator. In this case you can launch Adaxes Backup/Restore tool without passing the credentials of Adaxes default service administrator via the command line. To do this:

1. Locate your Task in the Task Scheduler library, right-click it and select Properties.
   
2. In the dialog box that appears, activate the General tab.
3. Press the Change User or Group button in the Security options section.
4. In the dialog that appears, select the Adaxes default service administrator.
5. Switch the radio button to Run whether user is logged on or not.
   
6. Press OK.
7. You will be prompted for a password to the account that you specified in the 3rd step. Type the password and press OK.

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Michael,

Actually, you may fully retire the batch file and specify all the necessary options for Adaxes Backup/Resotre tool in the parameters of the Windows Task Scheduler Task:

1. Locate your Task in the Task Scheduler library, right-click it and select Properties.
2. In the dialog box that appears, activate the Actions tab.
3. Double-click the Start a program action that launches your batch file.
4. Type Softerra.Adaxes.BackupRestore.exe in the Program/script field.
5. Type the command line parameters for the Adaxes Backup/Restore tool in the Add arguments (optional) field, for example /b C:\Adaxes.bak -l C:\AdaxesBackup.log
6. Type the full path to the folder, in which your Adaxes service is installed, in the Start (optional) field, for example, C:\Program Files\Softerra\Adaxes 3\Service.
   
7. Click OK two times.

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Thank you it seems to be working now.

There was also a local security policy causing a problem with Scheduled Task and remembering the Service Account password. I resolved that as described in the following blog

http://blogs.technet.com/b/askperf/arch ... 92736.aspx