Backing up and restoring manager settings

Administrator Help | Forcepoint Email Security | Version 8.5.x

The email management server maintains several important configuration setting files, including

Database configuration

Appliances list

Administrator settings

Presentation report templates and data

You may want to retain a backup copy of these settings to use if a system recovery operation is necessary. A backup and restore utility is included with the Email Security module. Backup and restore functions are available on the page Settings > General > Backup/Restore.

The Backup/Restore function includes a Backup and Restore Log, which displays time-stamped backup and restore activities for the manager.


	Note Because the Backup/Restore utility stops the Email Security module service, backup and restore activities are recorded only in the Backup and Restore log.

Backup and restore functions for an appliance cluster work properly only when cluster settings have not changed between the backup and restore operations. Unexpected results may occur if any of the following settings have been changed between the backup and restore:

Appliance mode (cluster or standalone)

IP address or hostname

You may need to rebuild a cluster if a restore operation encounters problems.


	Note If you specify your backup file location for a remote server, ensure that your restore operation is configured to restore configuration files from that remote server location.

Backing up settings

Backup functionality is available on the page Settings > General > Backup/Restore. Backup and restore settings on one appliance are applied to all the appliances in your network.

Note

The version of the backed up settings must match the version of the currently installed product.

Backup and restore settings must both use either local or remote file storage. You cannot restore a local file using remote settings.

The backup settings file size may not exceed 10 MB.

The following special characters are not supported in backup server entries: |, <, >, and &.

Back up settings

On the page Settings > General > Backup/Restore, from the section Backup Settings, click Backup.

The utility activates and conducts a backup if settings have been defined.

Save your backup settings on the Log Database server, mark the check box Save backup configuration settings files on a remote server.

The text fields in the section Remote Server Access are enabled; enter the following server information:

Domain/Hostname

Enter the domain if a domain account is used; otherwise, enter the hostname of the SQL Server machine.

User name

Enter a user with SQL Server log-in permission.

Password

The password may not contain more than one double quotation mark.

Backup/Restore file path

Enter the shared folder path on the remote SQL Server machine (for example, \\10.1.1.2\shared\).

Ensure that the remote log database server is accessible; click Check Status.

The backup initiates when all configuration is complete. The Backup and Restore Log displays the time-stamped backup logs.

Restoring the settings

The Restore utility is used to return your settings to their original, backed up state on the Log Database server. The restore function retrieves the location of the backed up settings and applies them to the Email Security module configuration files. The Email Security module service restarts automatically after configuration settings are restored.

Restore settings

(Optional) On the page Settings > General > Backup/Restore, from the section Restore Settings, mark the check box Use the backup files on the remote server to restore configuration settings.

From File location, click Choose File and navigate to the backup files on the remote server.

Click Restore.

The Confirm Configuration Restore Operation dialog box displays.

Click Yes.

The restore operation proceeds.