This selection from the Platform Administration view performs a complete backup of the connected JACE, saved as a dist file on your PC. The backup dist contains the entire station folder plus the specific NRE config used by that JACE platform, including license(s) and certificate(s). The dist also contains pointers to the appropriate NRE core, Java VM, modules, and OS. If ever needed, you restore a backup dist using the platform Distribution File Installer view.
The backup dist file also contains the TCP/IP configuration of the host when it is backed up. When restoring the backup, you
can select to restore these settings, or retain the TCP/IP settings currently in use by the target host. See Restoring a backup dist.
You can perform a backup with a station running on the target host, or when no station is running.
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If the JACE is running station, a confirmation dialog appears to connect to it (Figure 62). This routine uses that station’s BackupService to perform an “online backup.” (If the station is not already open in Workbench, you must then logon as a station user.)
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If no station is running on the JACE, the platform daemon performs its own “offline backup.”
After station login and connection to the station (or if no station is running), the File Chooser appears (Figure 63) for you to navigate to the target location to save the backup dist file, and to rename if desired.
Control access to (keep secure) any saved backup dist files, as they contain sensitive information that could be valuable
to any “system hacker”.
By default, the Backup function automatically creates (if not already present) a backups subdirectory under your Niagara build directory. The default name for a backup file uses a format of: backup_stationName_YYMMDD_HHMM.dist
For example, “backup_J6E_Test37_120425_1611.dist” for a backup made of station “J6E_Test37” on April 25, 2012 at 4:11 pm.
After you click the backup starts.
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If the station is running, a Fox Backup job is performed. A notification popup appears in the lower right of your display when the backup is done. This job is recorded in the station’s BackupService and visible in that component’s BackupManager view. Details are also available by accessing the job in the station’s Job Service Manager.
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If doing an “offline backup” (no station running), the platform daemon provides another progress dialog during the backup to a dist file, as shown in Figure 64.
Upon completion, you can click to return to the Platform Administration view, or click to see another popup with a log of actions performed in the backup (Figure 65).
