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ITS backup service

Overview

The ITS backup service provides clients with the ability to automatically or manually backup critical files and directories to the backup system. Once the service is running you will be able to restore one of several versions of a file from your desktop computer.

Functions of the ITS backup service include:

• Backup - Scheduled or manual backups of your data and important computer system files.
• Recovery - The ability to recover previous versions of files, or files that have been deleted.

Network Backup is NOT intended to be used for the following:

• Full restore: Does not give you the ability to completely restore a system from scratch, it is only intended to save data files
• Archive system: This service is not intended to be, and should not be, used as permanent data storage

Eligibility

Faculty, staff, and postdoctoral fellows who are located in areas that are accessible to the Yale Ethernet network and have a Macintosh or PC-compatible computer that meet ITS standards are eligible. All full time faculty in arts & sciences are entitled to one subsidized "basic" account.  Faculty of the Arts and Sciences should consult with their FAS IT representative for assistance.

The ITS backup service is not available to students and is not available for home computers or in areas the network infrastructure is not adequate.

Support

The latest backup client with configuration and installation instructions can be downloaded from the ITS Software Library.

If you have any questions, contact the Help Desk at 785-3200, 432-9000 or email helpdesk@yale.edu or your local support person.

Cost

• Visit the ITS rates page for pricing information.

Order or change service

• START (Central campus)
• Computing Request Form (Medical campus)

Backup tips

Central backup and portables

Your computer must be powered on, out of sleep mode, and on the network during the scheduled backup time.  If, for any reason, a scheduled backup is missed, run a manual backup.  The backup process can take a long time if you have changed a large file or there are a lot of files on your computer. Start a manual backup process before lunch or a meeting to avoid interruptions to your work.

Don't backup unnecessary data

You may not wish to backup all of the data on your computer. A common exclusion is personal data like music or family photos. Instructions on how to exclude files from your backup can be found in the Frequently Asked Questions.

Guard against failed backups

Backup failures are very rare, but, as with any service, there is some risk of failure. The most common problem is if back-ups have not been occurring. Very rarely problems may occur with the system’s backup tapes, requiring the back-ups to go back further than one generation to restore data.

Although ITS monitors the account and sends email warnings if the computer has not backed up, you should also check your backup every few weeks. To check your backup use the check my backup tool.

If there is any file that is extraordinarily valuable, we recommend keeping multiple generations as you develop it. In highly critical cases, assuring that another copy exists on another computer or CD.

Files that are open

Files that are left open and running during a backup are difficult to backup correctly. It is best to shut down all of your applications before the backup runs, especially email, calendar, and database programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

• See the backup FAQ page

Terms of use/policy

Communication

ITS will monitor your computer and will email the last address on file for the account under the following conditions: 

• The charging instructions change
• The machine has not backed up
• Surcharges for the month have been accumulated
• When an account becomes inactive/locked and is scheduled for deletion

Account retention

Accounts not backed up for more then 180 days will be assumed inactive and ITS will begin the process of deactivating the account.  The account will be deleted after 270 days of inactivity.

Data Retention

• Up to three versions of a file are kept.
• Files deleted from your computer can be restored for 60 days before they are permanently deleted.
• Files that are never modified or deleted will be available for the life of the account