Getting started with the UCBackup service

About UC Backup

The UCBackup service provides centralized workstation backup support for the UC Berkeley campus over the campus network. This service is available for Windows, Mac OS, and many Unix workstations.

LSCR recommends the UCBackup service for all supported staff and faculty who use Macs or PCs.

What will be installed on your computer

The software is called Tivoli Storage Manager and consists of three applications:

• TSM Scheduler Daemon or Service is loaded on startup, can't be closed, and checks the backup server to see if it is time for a backup. A daemon is a process that runs in the background. You will not see it nor notice it is there.
• TSM Backup (Mac) or TSM Backup Client (PC) is used to request a manual backup or restore of one or more files. The TSM Scheduler Daemon will also call this program in automatic mode if it has determined it is time for an automatic backup.

When the backup will take place and what you need to do

The backup normally will be scheduled to take place at night, although other times are possible (such as during the noon hour).

You will need to leave your computer on.

We recommend that you turn off your monitor.

You should close all documents, spreadsheets, and other data files. TSM Backup cannot back up open files.

You should not log out of your machine.

You should turn OFF hibernate, sleep, and Harddrive sleeping

What is backed up and when

Your first backup will be a full backup of your entire hard drive. Your LSCR consultant will schedule and monitor this to ensure that the backup process is working correctly. From then on TSM Backup will only backup files that have been changed since the last backup. This is called an incremental backup.

What is saved over time

The UCBackup service will have available for restores the active or most recent backup of a file and five inactive, or previous versions. If you make changes to a file over time, you may not be able to go back to the original file. You will be able to recover the last incremental backup and five previous backups.

What happens when you delete a file from your computer

If you delete a file from your computer, UCBackup will save all five inactive versions of the file for 30 days and the last known active version for 60 days. You will not be able to restore a file that is no longer on your computer if more than 60 days have elapsed since you deleted it.

Backup on request

In addition to the scheduled nightly backup, you can manually initiate a backup of a particular file or folder. After opening the TSM Backup application, select the backup button. Select Local and expand your hard drive to see the folders or directory tree. After navigating to the item you want to backup, click on the box to the left. A check mark indicates your selection. Do not select a network server volume. For more details, see the TSM Backup instructions for your appropriate computer type (Mac/PC).

Requesting a restore

If you need to have a file restored, contact your LSCR support team for help. Although it is not a complicated task, there are several important settings that ensure a successful restore. We will make sure everything works properly when we do the restore for you.

Signing up for the UCBackup service

If you are an LSCR-supported customer and you are not currently using UCBackup, your LSCR support team can provide information on how to sign up for this service.

This will require your departmental purchasing agent to log onto the CNS Shopping cart and order a UC Backup account. Once the order is made, your departmental purchase authorizer will get a notice to log on and authorize the order.

In a matter of days, UCBackup will send the purchaser as well as the user an email indicating the account was created. Schedule with LSCR a time to install the software for you

Special backup needs

This service will accommodate most administrative and faculty backup needs. If you have very large data sets or work with interactive video, sound, or imaging please contact LSCR to discuss your special backup needs.