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Bacula

ECE/CIS Bacula FAQ

ATTENTION: As of 2009, Bacula backups are no longer in service.

1.  What is Bacula?

Bacula is the tool we use to back up the contents of Windows OS-based machines. We use Amanda to back up the contents of Solaris and Linux machines. Only Bacula for Windows will be covered in this document.

2.  How often are dumps run?

The dump schedule varies, depending on the machine being backed up. Most machines are backed up nightly starting at 11pm. The time that your machine is backed up depends on where it is listed in the queue. For consistent backups, we request that machines to be backed up be left on overnight on weeknights. For laptops and special cases where the machine can not be left on overnight, the dumps are run Monday through Friday at times agreed upon by the user of that machine. Laptops aren't normally left turned on and plugged into the network, so it is difficult to maintain daily backups.

3.  What is backed up?

By default, Bacula is given the command to back up the entire C: drive, while excepting differing types of files and directories. The following directories and files will not be backed up:

• the "Windows"/"WinNT" directory
• the "Program Files" directory
• the "i386" directory
• the Recycling Bin
• Windows restore points
• any cache, temp, or cookie directories
• audio and video media files
• CD-image files
• files to which Windows does not allow access (pagefile.sys, hiberfil.sys, etc.)

Note that this only backs up the C: drive. If you would like other drives to be included, or you need to back up some files that are excluded in the previous list, please make a request to do so.

4.  How can I verify the dump was run successfully?

By double-clicking on the Bacula icon in your taskbar (it resembles a cassette), a report will be generated showing you the results of the last few dumps and a bit more statistics about them, such as whether it was full or incremental. Full backups are done once a week, and only the changes are saved the other days of the week.

If you suspect your computer is not being backed up, request it to be included.

5.  How do I recover a file?

You can submit a Help Request detailing the filename, which machine it was located on, and when the file was created, last modified, and deleted, so we can try to recover the most recent copy of the file for you. Please use the link on the sidebar titled "Request File from Backups".

6.  How can I request that my computer be included?

You can submit a Help Request with the hostname, mac address, serial, or room jack of the computer you would like to be added to backups. If it is a laptop, include a time of day when the laptop is guaranteed to be turned on and connected to the ECE/CIS network.

Any further questions should be directed to the Help Request System.

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