Backup

Backup Restore from Time Machine

Backup will be happening in full, incremental and versioning mode, one can set several versions so data restoring can happen on previous versions.

Auto Backup of Data

BLACKbox provides the feature of automatic backup. The backup process in the BLACKbox is scheduled by the administrator/IT person in the BLACKbox console. The scheduled backup inside the BLACKbox device on office premises will push the data from the primary chamber to the hidden chamber automatically at the scheduled time regularly.

What is the maximum file size that can be backed up?

There is no limit on the size of the file that can be backed up. It depends on the processor bits and the network connectivity while the backup is in progress. BLACKbox processors are 64-bit processors.

Where can data of BLACKbox be backed up?

BLACKbox data can be backed up on a NAS device in LAN, external hard disk or on any cloud storage.

Does BLACKbox facilitate image backup of the server?

No. None of the BLACKbox solutions provide an image backup feature.

How is data backup done in BLACKbox?

Backup of specific folders mapped with the BLACKbox agent will be automatically taken either on the BLACKbox device itself or on the BLACKbox cloud.

How can backup of SQL database be done in BLACKbox?

Scheduled backup of SQL database in .bak format should be configured in SQL server for SQL data backup. Thus, SQL backup in .bak format will be stored in a specified folder on the server. These folders can then be mapped with the BLACKbox agent for backing up the .bak files in the BLACKbox hardware or the cloud.

How can backup of data from a NAS device be taken in BLACKbox?

If specific folders on the NAS storage are mapped with the BLACKbox agent, then the backup of those specific folders can be taken on the BLACKbox hardware or BLACKbox cloud backup (DCDR).

Which are the types of data backup options available in BLACKbox?

The following types of data backup options are available in BLACKbox:
1. Full Backup
2. Incremental Backup
3. Versioned Backup

How can backup of web-based cloud applications like CRM and ERP be done in BLACKbox?

For taking backup of web-based cloud applications like CRM and ERP, we need FTP access to the folder in which the database backup of CRM and ERP is stored regularly by the cloud service provider.
On receipt of the FTP credentials, BLACKbox can transfer the backup of the database stored in the FTP root folder to the local folder.

Can BLACKbox enable the user to work offline and take a backup of this folder on the cloud whenever the internet is available?

Yes. BLACKbox agent will create one offline secured folder on the user’s local computer system and harden the device such that the user will work in that secured folder only and will not be able to save data anywhere else on his computer.
This secured drive will be mapped with the cloud service (need to pre-install with the user’s login credentials). So when the internet is available, the backup of this particular offline secured folder will be taken on the cloud subscribed to.

How many different backup copies can be made to ensure 100% safety of BLACKbox data?

To ensure 100% safety, data residing on BLACKbox should be backed up on any other device in LAN (NAS or external HDD) or on the BLACKbox cloud.

Can BLACKbox automatically create a new version of a file with a particular extension as soon as it is saved?

BLACKbox is not a Document Management System. Versions of a file can be maintained in softwares like MS office. But, BLACKbox can take daily versions of all the files, irrespective of the file type, if the versioned backup is configured.

How many daily versions of a file will be backed up by BLACKbox?

The number of end of day file versions that should be retained can be configured in BLACKbox.

What are the various options for data recovery in case of hardware failure?

BLACKbox has an inbuilt backup system, and half of the storage is reserved for backup (for models equipped with BLACKbox hardware). So, if the hard disk crashes temporarily, the backup can be transferred to the primary chamber on the new hard disk (the old hard disk will be replaced if it is under warranty), and the users can continue with their work.
In case of a complete hardware crash, data can be restored from the cloud if the cloud backup of BLACKbox, i.e. DCDR, is subscribed to.
BLACKbox also has a twin device model which supplies twin devices with “breath on breath” technology (high availability). Twin Device models provide real-time hardware failure redundancy by syncing the secondary device with the primary device on a real- time basis. The second device is up and working as soon as the first device crashes. This can be opted for if business continuity cannot be compromised even for a second.

How can the data of BLACKbox be backed up to OneDrive?

OneDrive cloud backup transfer can happen in the background. But, OneDrive is a per-user cloud solution. So, if OneDrive is subscribed to, then user-wise data backup can be configured. But, if you want to take the backup of the entire BLACKbox on one drive, it will not be allowed by Microsoft.

Is it possible to back up the data at the branch office directly to the BLACKbox located at the head office without using DCDR?

Yes, it is possible to do so whenever there is internet connectivity at the branch office. A minimum 100 MBPS leased line at the head office and 20 MBPS leased line at each branch office is required.

Can BLACKbox help restore all the applications & configuration of a system in case of hardware crash?

None of the BLACKbox solutions provide an image backup of the system. BLACKbox can take the backup of application data only.

Is data backup of the primary device done periodically or in real time?

In the case of single device deployment, periodic backup can be set up between the primary chamber and the hidden chamber. But, in the case of a twin device model, sync is real-time.

Are files, when deleted from a computer installed with the BLACKbox agent, recoverable even when not uploaded to the cloud?

There are two possibilities:
A. If the BLACKbox is deployed on-premise and the user is in LAN, he will never be able to save any files on the local computer. So there is no question of deleting the file from the local computer. If the user is working remotely and enabled with an offline secured folder created by the BLACKbox agent, it will be backed up if the customer subscribes to the DCDR cloud backup service. This data can be recovered from the cloud backup if the computer is online and the last cloud backup is successful. This can be checked on the cloud backup dashboard.

B. If the BLACKbox OneCloud is subscribed, every user will be enabled with an offline secured folder created by the BLACKbox agent. It will be automatically backed up on the cloud if the computer system is online. The data in the offline secured folder of the computer with BLACKbox agent will be backed up on the cloud and can be recovered from the cloud backup if the computer is online and the last cloud backup is successful. This can be checked on the cloud backup dashboard.

Does BLACKbox provide a DR solution? If yes, is it active-active or active- passive? What are its RTO and RPO?

BLACKbox does not provide a DR solution. BLACKbox takes the backup (full, incremental, and versioned) of the data on itself (hidden chamber), 3rd party device (if provided), or on the cloud (if subscribed). The data and user configuration are restored if a disaster or hardware failure occurs.

Can we directly back up BLACKbox data to other clouds like Amazon and Azure?

Yes. If protocol specifications for the required cloud service are shared, Synersoft can configure the backup if protocols are permitted.

What is the average time taken by BLACKbox to back up the data?

The average time taken by BLACKbox to take the backup depends on the data size. Usually, it takes 30 minutes to 4 hours.

Can a backup of the offline-secured folder be taken on BB when the system gets connected to LAN?

Not recommended. BLACKbox device when the user is connected to VPN or LAN. This is not recommended option. It depends on the time duration for which the user is connected to VPN or LAN. If the backup is not completed during that time duration, the backup will fail. Also, if the bandwidth of the network in which the BLACKbox device is hosted is not enough, the backup will fail. STPL does not recommend this option.

Can a backup of the local hard drives be taken on BLACKbox when the system connects to LAN?

A. It is not advisable to keep local drives open as it will seriously compromise data centralisation. Data will be scattered and duplicated. By enforcing the forced centralization policy of BLACKbox, users will be required to work in a central location only, and it will not be scattered and duplicated. Also, taking the backup of the entire hard disk of the users will slow down the PC, and the backup agent will have to scan the entire hard disk of the system.

B. It is also not advisable to take the backup of local drives, as when the backup job is fired by an agent from the user’s machine, it will use LAN. When it happens from so many user’s systems, it can choke the network and slow down everything.

C. It is also not advisable to take a backup from the user’s hard disk because the backup will fail when the user shuts down the PC when the backup is in progress.

We recommend using the forced centralisation policy of BLACKbox to avoid data scatteredness and better data protection from loss.