Document #503, Backing up data from GoldMine 4.0/5.0
Covers GoldMine 4.x or higher with dBase tables
This document covers the files and suggested methods for backing up GoldMine to prevent loss of data. The information here is only for dBase installations, for installations that use a Database Management Systems (DBMS) like MSSQL, Oracle, or Sybase, please refer to the manufacturers documentation on creating a backup.
Differential Backup – this type of backup copies files created or changed since the last normal or incremental backup. It does not mark files as having been backed up (in other words, the archive attribute is not cleared). If a combination of normal and differential backups is used, restoring files and folders requires that the last normal as well as the last differential backup be used in order to restore all the data.
Incremental Backup – this type of backup backs up only those files created or changed since the last normal or incremental backup. It marks files as having been backed up (in other words, the archive attribute is cleared). If a combination of normal and incremental backups is used, the last normal backup set as well as all incremental backup sets will be needed in order to restore the data.
Normal Backup – A normal or full backup copies all selected files and marks each file as having been backed up (in other words, the archive attribute is cleared). With normal backups, only the most recent copy of the backup file or tape is needed to restore all of the files. This type of backup is usually performed the first time a backup set is created.
If your site does not have a backup procedure, the information provided here may be used to create one.
It is best to rotate the backup media as a set. The backup device, rotation time frame, and the type of backup will govern the amount of media used. For the examples given, it is recommended that an Incremental backup be preformed daily with a Normal backup being performed weekly. More information on the types of backup and how they work is available in the documentation for the backup software used. A backup file can be saved to a hard disk, a floppy disk, or to any other removable or non-removable media on which a file can be saved.
Example using a Tape backup:
This will require a minimum of 14 tapes. Divide the tapes into two sets of 7 tapes each and label each set as ‘Set One’ and ‘Set Two.’ Label the individual tapes in each set as ‘Monday,’ ‘Tuesday,’ ‘Wednesday,’ ‘Thursday,’ ‘Friday,’ ‘Sunday,’ and ‘Off Site.’
Incremental backups are Monday through Friday with Sunday as a Normal backup. Use a Normal backup to create the Off Site tape once a week.
Rotate through the tapes starting with Set One on a daily basis as labeled. Exchange the Off Site tape with the new one that is created with the one already at the Off Site location each week. If the cycle is started on Monday, then create the Off Site tape at the same time.
Example using Diskettes:
This will require a minimum of 14 sets of diskettes. Each set of diskettes consists of 2 diskettes for overhead and 1 diskette per approximately each 500 contact records in GoldMine. Divide the sets of diskettes into two sets of 7 sets each and label each set as ‘Set One’ and ‘Set Two.’ Label the sets as ‘Monday,’ ‘Tuesday,’ ‘Wednesday,’ ‘Thursday,’ ‘Friday,’ ‘Sunday,’ and ‘Off Site’ for each weekly set.
Incremental backups are Monday through Friday with Sunday as a Normal backup. Use a Normal backup to create the Off Site set once a week.
Rotate through the sets starting with Set One on a daily basis as labeled. Exchange the Off Site set with the new set that is created with the one already at the Off Site location each week. If the cycle is started on Monday, then create the Off Site set at the same time.
In normal practice, Differential backups can be substituted for the Incremental backups in both examples. The type of backup actually used will depend on the site and actual computer usage at that location.
For proper guidance in the absence of an Information Technologies team, it is recommended that a qualified computer consultant aid in determining the needs of the organization. The FrontRange Solutions GoldMine Sales team at 800.654.3526 can provide the name of a local GoldMine Authorized Solutions Partner to consult on this matter.
Windows 98, Windows Millennium Edition, and Windows 2000 Professional all come with a backup utility like the one pictured above. The FrontRange Solutions GoldMine Technical Support team does not support the use of third party software, utilities, and/or freeware software. Other operating systems may also have one included at the option of the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM). All of these utilities will look for a tape drive, however some of them will work with any fixed or removable media that is available. The popular Zip drives available from Iomega also have utility software that can be used to create backups.
In general, tape is the most reliable media for use in creating backups due to the high capacity of the tapes. Tape backup systems also come with their own backup software, which eliminates compatibility issues.
If floppy diskettes are used, utilities like WinZip that span the volume across several floppies can be used.
In Windows operating systems, the asterisk is used as a wildcard character for multiple characters when looking for files. Most backup utilities will use the same conventions as Windows when specifying files to backup. For a complete backup of the GoldMine installation, use this information to tell the backup utility the files to save:
|
Location |
File Types |
|
\GoldMine\ |
*.EXE (Executables) |
|
\GoldMine\ |
*.DLL (Dynamic Link Libraries) |
|
\GoldMine\ |
*.DB* (Database Files) |
|
\GoldMine\ |
*.INI (Configuration settings) |
|
\GoldMine\REPORTS |
*.FP,*.RPT (Report Files) |
|
\GoldMine\GMBase |
*.DB* (Database Files) |
|
\GoldMine\Template\ |
*.* (Merge Form Templates) |
|
\GoldMine\Setup\GoldMine |
*.EXE (Updates Downloaded by Net-Update) |
|
\GoldMine\TmpLinks\ |
*.* (Linked Documents) |
To backup only the GoldMine contact data, use this information to tell the backup utility the files to save:
|
Location |
File Types |
|
\GoldMine\ |
*.DB* (Database Files) |
|
All other subdirectories of \GoldMine\ |
*.DB* (Database Files) |
To backup the GoldMine database, reports and configuration setting, use this information to tell the backup utility the files to save:
|
Location |
File Types |
|
\GoldMine\ |
*.DB* (Database Files) |
|
\GoldMine\ |
*.INI (Configuration settings) |
|
\GoldMine\REPORTS |
*.FP,*.RPT (Report Files) |
|
All other subdirectories of \GoldMine\ |
*.DB* (Database Files) |
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