Getting Started With MiBackup

How It Works

MiBackup can be used to backup data such asĀ application and file servers, server-side databases, and research data collections. ItĀ is built on IBM Spectrum Protect and is a client/server application that lets you backup files from, and restore files to, your server over the network.

The IBM Spectrum Protect Backup client is installed on your server. It performs scheduled automatic backups with data compression and optional data encryption transmitting to and from the MiBackup server. Backups are replicated to another facility, both of which are secure, climate controlled, and built for highly available production services.

Note: Backups are stored in the data center or in the cloud and not available on CD or DVD at this time.

Restoring Data

The restore request is handled from the client side. You will have control of when and what to restore, without intervention from a MiBackup Administrator, except for assistance, if necessary. Restore requests have priority except for the MiBackup service database maintenance, scheduled tasks that might delay a restore request.

Sensitive Data

Refer to the Sensitive Data Guide when working with sensitive data. The MiBackup service does not, by default, encrypt data before it is transmitted.

If you have files on your system that contain highly sensitive data, consider taking the following steps:

  • Configure the backup client options file, dsm.opt (Windows) or dsm.sys (Unix/Linux), with encryption. For example, "Encrypt yes."
  • Encrypt your files before backing them up.
    Important: Be sure to keep a full history of the passwords for files that you encrypt.
  • Exclude files that contain password information from your backups. Configure the dsm.opt (Windows) or dsm.sys (Unix/Linux) file with exclude statements to exclude the files. For example, Exclude "path/.../file.txt."