- Relative Rev Backup - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

RRB is a leading incremental backup software that has editions to support both workstations as well as servers and is very intuitive to use. It is a set and forget kind of program.

The major advantage of RRB is that not only it can work on incremental backup forever basis, saving both backup time and space, but it can also recover previous versions of a file and folder instantly (you do not need to recover the full backup followed by all incremental).

Another major advantage becomes obvious when a user renames a big folder.

Unlike any other backup software that will copy this folder and its entire contents again, RRB will recognize that only the folder name has changed and will only update its indexes saving a lot of space and time.

RRB also includes a backup library management function that converts the backup disk into a library of backup versions. You simply define how many days, weeks, months, and years back you want to be able to reach to recover data from, and it manages the versions on the disk without any intervention from the user.

Note that usually the size of the backup storage is comparable to the source data even though you have multiple backup versions.

What is a backup pack?

A backup pack is a collection of files and folders, which you setup to be backed up as a group. Multiple backup packs can be defined, while each one having its own unique settings (files and folders to backup; backup schedule; backup destination; revision management policy; exclude filters; and some more)

What is a backup snapshot?

A backup snapshot is the saving process of certain files and folders at a certain time point. The first snapshot copies all the files on the backup pack, and every subsequent snapshot will copy only the incremental file changes from the previous snapshot. However, thanks to the Combiner™ algorithm, only a single restore session is needed to restore data from any snapshot including incremental snapshot.

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Why should I store multiple backup snapshots?

Accidents and other unfortunate events do happen! When an error occurs to your data, it is not always detected before you backup your data. Therefore if only a single backup copy is saved it can be the one with the problematic data. Another reason would be the recent regulation that requires the retrieval of older versions of a file (or a group of files).

Are all backup snapshots equal?

No. Depending on the snapshot management policy, Relative Rev Backup can produce different types of backup snapshots, such as: Intra-Daily, Daily, Weekly, Monthly & Special.

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What is the Standard snapshot management policy?

When the Standard snapshot management policy is applied, Relative Rev Backup is able to produce two types of snapshots: Special; and Scheduled. Each snapshot triggered by the scheduler is considered a Scheduled snapshot, and each manually triggered snapshot is considered a Special snapshot. It is possible to define the number of snapshots the system will hold from each snapshot type, before it deletes the oldest snapshot of that type.

What is the Enhanced GFS snapshot management policy?

The Enhanced GFS snapshot management policy option provides a powerful tool to manage the backup snapshots. It solves the storage dilemma that often arises when someone wants to take as frequent snapshots of its data as possible, and at the same time to be able to restore snapshots that were taken a very long time ago and all of this without having to keep hundreds of backup snapshots.
Enhanced GFS snapshot management policy manages five snapshot types; Intra-daily, Daily, Weekly, Monthly, and Special. For each one of these snapshot types, the number of snapshots that will be stored, before the oldest snapshot is automatically discarded, can be set up.

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My backup destination has run out of space, what should I do?

You can do several things: Delete one of the snapshots or the entire pack. You may also copy the data to a media with larger capacity.

Where can I find a specific backup snapshot on the backup destination?

All backup snapshots are located under the CastBack folder. There is no way to locate a specific snapshot in the CastBack folder as the content of each backup snapshot is scrambled. To restore a specific backup snapshot use the restore wizard and select the specific backup snapshot that you are looking for.

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How much storage do I need (reasonable storage size)?

The answer to this question depends on several factors: The most important factor is the size of the data that you are interested in backing up. The second most important factor is probably the amount of changes your data is predicted to undergo from one backup session to the other. Then, the number of backup snapshot that you intend to keep is another factor. 1. Backing up the whole C: partition that has an average amount of changes, with a careful filters setup, on a Windows XP that contains 3.5GB of data required a 4.5-7GB of disk space to hold one of backup history using GFS retention. snapshots. 2. Backing up a 100GByte file server that changes in an average fashion is predicted to require about 300GB of storage to keep 30 snapshots. With GFS this can be cover 5 years of backup generation.

Why can't I find a way to perform a differential backup or a full backup?

By default, a full backup is performed at the first snapshot taken for each new backup pack. Then, forever incremental backup snapshots are taken, while every several snapshots, as defined by the Synchronization Interval, (from the main menu settings > General > Synchronization Interval) a synchronization session is taken to make sure all snapshots are in sync. Differential backups are used as a compromise between backup speed and restore complexity. However, Relative Rev Backup has a unique algorithm, Combiner™ that seamlessly combines every incremental snapshot that had been taken since the recent full backup. Therefore, restoring any incremental snapshot requires a single restore session! It means that Relative Rev Backup can restore incremental snapshots with the speed and simplicity of a full backup restore. That is why differential backup is absolutely redundant.

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How does Relative Rev Backup handle open files?

To get a coherent snapshot of the data, regardless of how many files are opened, the Open File Manager module by St Bernard Software should be installed to freeze the backup image just before Relative Rev Backup takes the snapshot. However, this solution is usually used only in high end solutions, and in most cases users use with the built-in provisions provided by Relative Rev Backup.Files which are opened by other applications may change while they are being backed up. This can produce a backed up file which is based on several versions of a file (incoherent file). Relative Rev Backup has a unique algorithm that verifies whether the backed up files are "sharp". Any file which is not backed up coherently will be mark as a "Copy Error" file, and will be backed up again in the next backup session.Some files, usually system files, are opened in an exclusive manner ("exclusive opened file"). This prevents all other applications, including backup applications, from being able to handle these files. Relative Rev Backup will attempt to backup such a file several times. If such a file remains opened exclusively during the entire backup session, it will be skipped and marked as an "Open Error" file, and will be revisited during the next backup session, attempting to back it up again.

Will Relative Rev Backup back up to CDRW, DVD+/-RW?

Basically it can do so if a packet writing software is installed. However, due to the poor performance and reliability issues with regrettable optical media, this feature was not tested with new versions, and we do not officially support it.

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Can Relative Rev Backup back up the whole computer?

Relative Rev Backup can backup any file that is not exclusively opened. Any file that is recognized as exclusively opened will have several attempts to back it up during a backup session; if it can not be backed up it will be listed in a log file, and will be revisited automatically during the next backup session. However, if a coherent snapshot of all the entire drive is a must, the OFM (Open File Manager) should be installed. The combination of Relative Rev Backup and OFM will guarantee endless coherent snapshots of every file opened or not.

Why do I get "missing ei0" error, when OFM is installed?

Relative Rev Backup uses its own installation folder to manage few transactions during the backup session. If this installation folder is not excluded from the snapshot image, the "missing ei0" error will occur. To exclude Relative Rev Backup's installation folder from the snapshot image, add the installation folder to OFM's "ignore set". In the OFM's left hand side pane, mark the computer in question; right click it > and select Properties from the popup menu > select the Files tab, hit the Add button, and Browse to Relative Rev Backup installation folder (usually C:\program Files\DataMills\).

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Why do I get "Cannot copy files to backup destination" error, when OFM is installed?

The Open File Manager (OFM) freezes a virtual snapshot the entire computer just before the backup starts. In cases where the backup destination is on the same computer, this frozen image includes the backup destination itself. This will cause Relative Rev Backup to figure that it can not write to the backup destination, and the "Cannot copy files to backup destination" message will be displayed. (In the OFM's left hand side pane, mark the computer in question; right click it > and select Properties from the popup menu > select the Files tab, hit the Add button, and Browse to the backup destination (\..\castback\).

How long after I delete a file can I recover it from the backup?

RRB is a backup system with the ability to retain multiple snapshots of the source. Depending on the edition of RRB, those snapshots (backup versions) are kept for a variable length of time and are then removed from the backup disk.So, if you delete a file from the source you will be able to recover it from a backup version that has not yet been deleted. RRB has editions that retain backup versions for a maximum period of time - starting from several weeks to as long as 32 years.

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Why is Relative Rev Backup sold according to Edition and Capacity of Selected Source Data for Perpetual Backup Jobs?

Our strategy is to enable a wide range of users to enjoy a corporate grade protection system at the price they can afford, and this is done by lowering the price as a function of the capacity they actually need.

What is the definition of Capacity of Selected Source Data for Perpetual Backup Jobs?

Capacity of Select Source Data for Perpetual Backup Jobs – is the maximum capacity that RRB™ allows you to select data for backup in all backup jobs (packs). It is calculated as the aggregate size of all of the files and folders you choose to backup in every backup job (pack).For example, if in 'pack A' you have 10GB worth of files to backup and in 'pack B' you have 15GB of data to backup then you need a license with 25GB backup capacity, and you will be able to backup this data over and over again. Note that in the above described situation, the 45GB license will give your data plenty of room to grow.

RRB has a built-in schedule feature whereby you define when/how often RRB will run the backup job(s) you created and also the choice of shutting down the computer after backup ends.In order to set the schedule of a backup job, you highlight the job you want to run and either double-click it or choose from the top menu: Settings>Pack>Schedule[tab]You can then modify the settings as needed. In this case, the user would choose "Everyday" and "Each Startup".After setting above you click on "Other"[tab] and make sure there is a check in the box: "Shutdown this computer after the backup finishes".Once checked, you have the option of "Forced Shutdown" (all open applications will me closed without saving) or "Conditional Shutdown" (auto shutdown will take place only if all data is saved).You apply, click "OK" and close RRB.When RRB is next launched it will backup and shutdown your computer.

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