Backup Manager Restore-Only Mode

The restore-only mode is a way to have the Backup Manager installed on a device without backing up the device's data, either temporarily or perminantly. This is done to prevent unwanted backups in cases such as:

  • When your computer has failed and it is necessary to recover data from it to a new location
  • When you want an up-to-date copy of all necessary data available straight away on another computer

During the restore-only mode the Backup tab is absent from the Backup Manager. The options on the Restore tab are updated automatically after each new backup session on the source computer.

While you are in the restore-only mode, you can restore data in either of the following ways:

  • On Demand - These are one-off restores, configured and triggered manually on the device
  • Continuous Restore - This function enables automatic, continuous recovery of the source computer

Preconditions

Restore-Only mode is available on all the supported operating systems. It requires 2 computers:

  1. A source computer (the one that the data has been backed up)
  2. A target computer (where you want to recover the data to)

Enabling the restore-only mode

A device can be put into restore-only mode at one of two times:

  1. Option 1: During installation
    1. On Linux devices
  2. Option 2: After installation
    1. On Linux Devices

Option 1: During installation

  1. Install the Backup Manager on the target computer using the same device name, installation key (previously known as the Password) and Encryption Key/Security Code or Passphrase that are used on the source computer using the Manual Installation mode

    2. Do not use the Automatic Deployment method of installation, as you cannot specify device credentials using this method.

  2. When the Backup Manager recognizes the device credentials, you will receive a message offering to enable the restore-only mode, click Restore-only to complete the installation

Option 2: After installation

  1. Click on Start and type services.msc
  2. Locate the Backup Service Controller and right click to open the action menu
  3. Select Properties
  4. Stop the service
  5. Open a text editor on the device as an Administrator
  6. Confirm User Access Control to permit changes
  7. Open the Backup Manager configuration file (config.ini)
  8. Under the [General] section, enter ReadOnlyMode=1
    [General]
User=XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Password=XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
EncryptionKey=XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
ReadOnlyMode=1
  9. Return to services.msc
  10. Locate the Backup Service Controller and right click to open the action menu
  11. Select Properties
  12. Start the service
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Disabling the restore-only mode

A device can be taken out of restore-only mode and placed back into standard mode in one of three ways:

  1. Option 1: Using the notification ribbon
  2. Option 2: Through config.ini
  3. Option 3: By reinstalling the device
  4. On Linux Devices

Option 1: Using the notification ribbon

As soon as Backup Manager recognizes the device is in restore-only mode, you will be given a notification banner on every page while viewing the Backup Manager.

To disable the restore-only mode, click the Switch to standard mode button on the notification:

Option 2: Through config.ini

  1. Click on Start and type services.msc
  2. Locate the Backup Service Controller and right click to open the action menu
  3. Select Properties
  4. Stop the service
  5. Open a text editor on the device as an Administrator
  6. Confirm User Access Control to permit changes
  7. Open the Backup Manager configuration file (config.ini)
  8. Under the [General] section, change the ReadOnlyMode value to =0 or remove it
    [General]
User=XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Password=XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
EncryptionKey=XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
ReadOnlyMode=0
  9. Return to services.msc
  10. Locate the Backup Service Controller and right click to open the action menu
  11. Select Properties
  12. Start the service

Option 3: By reinstalling the device

Re-install the Backup Manager on the device.

  1. Install the Backup Manager on the target computer using the same device name, installation key (previously known as the Password) and Encryption Key/Security Code or Passphrase that are used on the source computer using the Manual Installation mode

    2. Do not use the Automatic Deployment method of installation, as you cannot specify device credentials using this method.

  2. When the Backup Manager recognizes the device credentials, you will receive a message offering to enable the restore-only mode, click Yes to complete the installation