Server Preferences - Backup

The Acquire configuration and the data are all stored in the Acquire.4dd file. This is the only file that needs to be backed up. Acquire can be set to automatically back up this file on a daily basis.

To set the backup:

  • Select 'Server Preferences...' from the 'Admin' menu.
  • Choose 'Backup' from the left menu.

To enable daily backups:

  • Tick the 'Enable Backup' checkbox.
  • Set the number of days to keep the backups for. It is recommended that about 7 days should be sufficient for most applications. Acquire will automatically recycle old backups.
  • Set the time that the backup should run. Ideally this should be during a quiet time where there is little activity, as ideally the server should not be active while it is taking the backup otherwise the backup could fail. To ensure that the server is quiet click the 'Pause Modbus and Webserver During Backup' checkbox.

    Note: When setting the backup time, bear in mind that reports tend to run on the turn of the hour and also check the backup time does not conflict with the time synchronization time.
  • Set the path for where the backup files should be stored. It is recommended that the backup files should be stored on a different disk and preferably on a different computer (at a different site).
  • Click the 'OK' button to set your changes.

The backup will automatically run at the next scheduled time.

Restoring a Backup

To restore a backup:

  • Quit Acquire
  • Open the folder that contains the current Acquire.4dd file (normally C:\Acquire\Database).
  • Rename that file Acquire dd-mm-yy.4dd (where dd-mm-yy is the current date). It is good practice to always keep this file so you always have the broken file in case there is a problem with the main backup.
  • Open the backup folder (as defined in the Server Backup Path).
  • Copy the latest backup file into the main Acquire folder (normally C:\Acquire\Database).
  • Rename the .4DD file to be Acquire.4DD
  • Remove any .4Dindy, .4DIndx, and .4dr files that are in this folder. They will automatically get recreated.
  • Launch Acquire. It should ask you to locate the .4DD file

Acquire should then start up in the normal way.

Tip: It would be prudent to check the reports to ensure you have the latest reports stored in the database.

Acquire™ Editor Manual