This article explains how to create a mirror of your MDaemon server data using the BackupAssist Rsync Engine. We'll focus on replicating the data locally so that in the event of a server failure, there's a backup ready to start as soon as possible.

Part 1 - Configuring the CWRsync server on the MDaemon backup server

In order to copy the data over to the backup server we must first start by installing the free CWRsync application on it.

Create Windows User

In order to write the files to this server with the correct local permissions we need to create a new local windows user called ‘Backup’. This user must be added to the local 'Administrator' group.

Install CWRsync Server

The CWRsync server can be downloaded from:

http://www.backupassist.com/rsync/cwRsyncServer_3.0.1_Installer.exe

1) Run the combined CopSSH/cwRsync installer
2) Continue through the install wizard, installing the package to any location you choose
3) During the installation you will be presented with the following pop-up windows

We suggest leaving the SvcCWRSYNC and SvcCOPSSH details as defaults.

4) Later in the installation you will be presented with the below pop-up. At any time after the install you can access ‘Activate a user’ from your start menu to allow SSH access to that user. You must activate at least one user before you will be able to register an Rsync client. Click “OK" to continue your installation.

5) As we are planning to use SSH for added security we must activate a user with CopSSH.

In the start menu, under All Programs -> CopSSH, select ‘Activate a user’.
You will be presented with the screen below.

DO NOT ACTIVATE YOUR ADMINISTRATOR ACCOUNT! Doing so will cause a lock down on the account due to CopSSH's security settings. We recommend creating a new local account called ‘Backup’. If possible, do not use domain users, create a new local user on the backup server

Select the ‘Backup’ user you created before and choose next.
You'll then be prompted to enter a passphrase which can be any text string.

(note you will need this when you set up a BackupAssist client)

6) The Rsync Server runs over SSH (TCP Port 22). Make sure this port is allowed in any local firewall including the Microsoft Windows firewall.

Part 2 - Configuring a BackupAssist Rsync Client

In this example we will setup a backup job to mirror the contents of the C:\MDaemon folder to the Rsync Server. Note this path needs to be the same on the Rsync server or you won’t be able to start the MDaemon service.

1) Open Backup ssist and create a new Rsync backup job
2) Choose standard ‘Rsync’ not ‘s3Rsync’
3) Choose the "Mirror Schedule" and then an appropriate time to update  (we will use 22:00)
4) Enter the Rsync Server IP address and details as shown below

(Note the path is defined as C:\MDaemon)

5) You should click on "Register" and then "test connection" before continuing.
6) Now select all folders within the C:\Mdaemon folder

(note do not just select the MDaemon folder or this will create a c:\mdaemon\mdaemon folder on the destination Rsync server.)

7) Name the job "MDaemon Hourly Sync" and choose "Finish"
8) The job details will now be shown,  choose ‘Rsync Options’

9) Un-tick the ‘Use full path’ option. This will store the destination files using the full path. As we only want to store the folders not the full path we do not want this option.

This job will now run daily at 22:00. If you wish to run the job every hour you can do this by creating a windows scheduling job to run the BackupAssist job.

Part 3 - Using Windows Scheduler to run a backup job every hour
 

1) The first step is to find out the BackupAssist job ID. To do this, click on the "Quick actions" within the job and choose "Add desktop Shortcut"

2) Now go to the Windows desktop, right click on this shortcut and choose "Properties"

3) Highlight and copy the target path

In our example it's "C:\Program Files\BackupAssist v5\BackupAssistManualLauncher.exe" 5

4)      The final step is to create a Windows schedule to run this command every hour using the advanced settings.

Note that in order to prevent BackupAssist requesting the date of the RSync job each time it is launched via the scheduled task, the target path in the scheduled task needs also contain a -U as follows...

"C:\Program Files\BackupAssist v5\BackupAssistManualLauncher.exe" 5 -U

By starting that job at 8am and running the job every hour for 10 hours the job will run from 8am until 5pm

For more detailed information on setting up scheduled task see.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308569

Part 4 - Making the backup MDaemon server live

Before you can turn the backup copy of the MDaemon folder structure into a functioning live server, you must first run the MDaemon installer and it's plug-ins (Outlook Connector and SecurityPlus) over the top of this folder structure to activate the installation on the backup machine.

For this reason it is a good idea to keep a copy of the installers on the backup server ready to run.