Backup of InfiMONITOR may be needed to restore monitoring data, that has been lost in case of fault or other different factors.
Backup system architecture
InfiMONITOR continuously handles a lot of information coming from wireless units. In this case the backup process creates additional load that may highly increase the time of reaction on changes in a wireless network. The backup process is performed on a dedicated server to avoid the negative influence on the monitoring process.
The interaction between backup system and InfiMONITOR is shown on scheme bellow.
For security reasons the monitoring system must be authorized on the backup server with the special password, that can be changed in the service mode.
Backup and recovery processes
Let's have a look at backup process from the moment when data is appeared to the moment when data is recovered.
| Phase | Description |
|---|---|
| DB synchronization | Database of the backup server performs one way online synchronization with the database of InfiMONITOR. In general case synchronization doesn't cause excessive load because it's performed continuously, incrementally copying a small amount of changed data. But there are two cases when synchronization may be intensive:
|
| Creating of backup | Creating of backup is performed on the backup server. Frequency of backups is defined by administrator in the web-interface of InfiMONITOR. Copying is performed by means of the filesystem and occurs almost instantly. |
| Storing of backups | Backup server stores each of backups. The list of backups is availabe in the web-interface of InfiMONITOR. |
| Rotation of backups | The backups are stored for the period of time set by administrator in the web-interface of InfiMONITOR. The obsolescence control is performed daily. A copy whose creation date exceeds the retention period will be deleted. |
| Recovery | Restoring data from a backup is performed only with a clear installation of InfiMONITOR. Administrator should specify the credentials for accessing the backup server and select a backup for recovery from the list of backups. During the final installation phase, InfiMONITOR will download the backup from the backup server, and then apply it. |
Installation of the backup server
System requirements
The backup system is sensitive, first of all, to the amount of disk space. The CPU load and the amount of used RAM are relatively small, so the requirements for them are significantly lower than those of InfiMONITOR. To determine the necessary amount of disk space, the following indicators should be guided:
- The amount of used disk space in "Database" section (Disk space). We recommend to allocate at least twice the amount for the backup server.
- Frequency of backups.
- The period of time to store backups. The longer the copies are stored, the more disk space you may need.
Installation
Running on a separate server or virtual machine. For installation you should use the standard distribution kit of the monitoring system InfiMONITOR.
WARNING
Backup functions is available starting with the version of InfiMONITOR 2017.3
Step 1 - booting
- Installation on a virtual machine - connect ISO image with distributive of InfiMONITOR, set your BIOS to boot from CD.
- Installation on a dedicated server - insert CD or USB flash drive with InfiMONITOR, set your BIOS to boot from the appropriate device.
Step 2 - installer
Start the server or the virtual machine. After booting the installation menu will appear on your display, you need to select "Install InfiMONITOR Backup Server" item.
The next steps are similar to the process of Installing InfiMONITOR and described in the section Installation of InfiMONITOR.
Configuration
After the installation is complete and the backup server is started, you must set up connection between InfiMONITOR and the backup server. Go to "Settings" section of InfiMONITOR web-interface, in "Backups" section specify the IP-address or domain name of the backup server as well as the password for authorization. Click to "Apply" button to apply the settings.
WARNING
By default the authorization password is set to "backup", but we strongly recommend to change it right after the backup server is installed. This can be done in the service mode of the backup server.
If the connection to the backup server is successful, the status will be changed and settings will be available.
- Backup frequency - the frequency of backups with an accuracy of 1 day. The minimal frequency - 7 days.
- Start hour - the hour at which the backup process begins.
- Retention period - the period of storage of backups with an accuracy of 1 month. The maximum shelf life is 12 months.
WARNING
If the amount of free disk space on the backup server is less than 10 GB or less than 10% of the total volume, then regardless of the value of "Backup retention period", the oldest backups are automatically deleted. This procedure is designed to prevent the complete exhaustion of disk space.
The amount of occupied disk space on the backup server can be determined using a special indicator in the web-interface of InfiMONITOR.
Status control
Status
The backup server status is displayed both in InfiMONITOR web-interface and in the service mode of the backup server. The following statuses are exist:
- Not connected - the connection between InfiMONITOR and the backup server is not established.
- Initializing - the services of InfiMONITOR are prepared for backup. In general this status is set only for the first connection of InfiMONITOR to the backup server
- Available - the connection between InfiMONITOR and the backup server is established, backups are being made.
The list of backups
In the web-interface of InfiMONITOR you may see the date and time when the last backup was created, and also see the list of all the backups that are stored on the backup server.
WARNING
The list of all backups is available via FTP. For authorization should be used the standard username "backup" and the password for authorization, which is used when connecting InfiMONITOR to the backup server.
Managing the backup server
Service mode
The backup server is managed exclusively in the service mode, which is accessed directly on the server.
By default, the service mode displays information about the current status of the backup server:
- Backup server status.
- Date and time of the last created backup.
- The IP-address of the serviced InfiMONITOR server.
Immediately after authorization in the service mode, you will be able to access the menu, which includes the following items:
- Network settings - the network adapter settings are similar to the service mode of InfiMONITOR.
- InfiMONITOR Instance - the authorization password for connection between InfiMONITOR and the backup server.
- Change admin password - change the password for authorization in the service mode.
- Reboot InfiMONITOR Backup Server - reboot the backup server.
Upgrade
The upgrade of the backup server is performed automatically and sequentially, first InfiMONITOR, then the backup server.
The monitoring system downloads update packages for both the components of InfiMONITOR and the components of backup server. After the update of InfiMONITOR is completed the monitoring system publishes update packages for the backup server and tells it to perform the update. This approach guarantees system compatibility which is a key factor of correct functioning of the backup server.
Restore from a backup
The recovery procedure from backup is performed during the installation phase of InfiMONITOR. The installer must have network access to the backup server since the backups will be downloaded from it. Recovery includes the following steps:
Perform an installation of InfiMONITOR in recovery mode.
Reboot the server after the installation is complete.
Run the recovery program.
Connect to the backup server and get a backup.
Data recovery.
Launching InfiMONITOR.
WARNING
Recovery from backup is possible only for the same version of InfiMONITOR for which this backup was created.
Step 1 - launching the recovery program
Initiate the procedure of InfiMONITOR installation as shown in the section Installation of InfiMONITOR.
Select the type of installation "Restore from backup".
The next steps are similar to the installation of InfiMONITOR and described in the section Installation of InfiMONITOR.
After installation is complete the recovery program will be started. In this program you should specify the credentials to connect to the backup server.
Step 2 - the recovery program
Set the IP-address of the backup server.
Set the backup server authorization password.
After connection to the backup server is established the list of backups will be shownm choose one of them.
Complete the recovery by rebooting the server.
