FirePoint offers several backup options

Regular backups are an important part of any information system.  FirePoint provides several backup options.  But any information about FirePoint backups needs to be prefaced with a warning.

WARNING:  Do not use 3rd party-backup software to backup the FirePoint server files while running live.
FirePoint server is an active application.  3rd party applications designed to backup static files to a tape drive, for example, will damage FirePoint.  When backing up FirePoint only use FirePoint backup options.  Use 3rd party backup software to backup FirePoint backups only.

General Guidelines

Ideally all backups should be made to a physical drive different from the drive operating FirePoint. If the FirePoint drive fails, you will need to restore from a healthy drive.

If you are doing a quick backup before an upgrade you may do it on the same drive.  Make sure you have room on the drive to accommodate the backup.

Folder Level Backup (Single & Server)

Before performing an upgrade it's a good idea to make a copy of the FirePoint application folder. Begin by quitting the FirePoint application. Windows offers several ways to copy folders. Any one of them will work for the backing up your FirePoint application folder.

One method is to click once on the FirePoint folder to select it. Press and hold the CTRL key down. Use the mouse to drag the folder a little to the right.

As you move the selected folder a "+" symbol will appear. When you stop dragging the folder and release the mouse button Windows will create a copy of the folder.

Internal Backup (Single & Server)

At the Command Window press the "Maint" button. Press #7 button "Backup Options". Follow the instructions on the tabbed layouts for setting up a Backup folder containing three subfolders; Backup_A, Backup_B & Backup_C.  Turn-on backups.

Note for Server Backups: The Backup path must be valid from the perspective of the server.  So if your Backup folder on is the server's "D:" drive, for example, the Backup path would be set to:

D:\Backup\

While the path may not be accurate when tested from the client workstation, it will be stored on the server and used when the server restarts.  Server backups will take place automatically at the time of day you select.  

Note for Single-user Backups:  You can test the Backup path accurately on single-user PC's.  Single user backups will take place at user's option when the user quits FirePoint.

Backups are restored by pressing the third "Restore" tab. You may choose to restore records in all tables or deselect any tables you do not wish to restore.

4D Server Backup

4D Server has it's own built-in backup system.  To utilize 4D Server backup you must have an additional backup disk drive or you must have a network connection to another a remote drive somewhere else on the network. Backups made to the same drive being used to operate the database server will provide too little protection.

1. In order to activate automatic backups you must begin by creating an initial "full backup" of the database. At the database server select "Full Backup" from the "Backup" menu. Click to select the volume (drive) on which you wish to place your backups. Note the backup options listed in the lower part of the menu. You should backup both the Data and Structure files. By default FirePoint will store three sets of backups replacing the oldest backup of the three with newest FirePoint backup. Make sure you have enough room to save each of these backups. Press the Backup button to make a full backup.

2. Now go to the Backup Scheduler window. Click on the "Backup Every" check box. This will backup FirePoint every day.  While it is possible to backup every minute do not select this option.  Next, click on the clock icon to set a backup time. Your next scheduled backup time will be displayed.

3. All database operations are suspended during automatic backups. Users will be warned 10 minutes before the backup is scheduled to begin.  If users remain on the system data entry will be "frozen" during the duration of the backup.

Server Restore

If you have used the built-in Server backup capability you must use a 4D Backup application to Restore the files before use.

The Backup application is furnished on your initial installation CD. It's in the "Extras" folder. If you don't have your initial installation CD the Backup application can be downloaded from the ftp site:  ftp.e2e.org

Look in the FPBackup folder. Download each file in the FPBackup folder into a Backup folder on your local hard disk drive.

To restore simply start the 4D Backup executable and click on the "Restore" button.