Create a backup with PC images and simply upload them

Details: Released: 21.09.2020; Last updated: 17.01.2023; Hits: 7107

If there is a system shutdown due to a defective IPCyou have to act quickly. For the Backup you should have an up-to-date image of the corresponding installation and be able to upload it as easily as possible. Auvesy offers as part of its version control software Versiondog an automated one Image Servicethat is constantly being developed.

How important Data Backup and the creation of software images arrived later in the operational level of the automation industry than in IT areas. In terms of backup and data protection, the subject is at least as important.

Especially in larger production plants very many computers involved, sometimes there are several hundred or even thousands. With these dimensions it quickly becomes clear that the maintenance of these PCs and their data backup cannot be managed reliably and economically manually. Fortunately, there are now solutions tailored to industrial applications that support users with version management of software and backups.

Image process for data backup at a glance

Landauer Auvesy GmbH has been offering reliable products for many years Data management solutions, the users of the Automation help to create automatic backups. This also enables you to manage the version management in order to clearly document the software versions of control programs.

Because creating PC images and the reliable management of current statuses is very complex, Auvesy has expanded its Versiondog software with an automated image service in recent years.

With the Auvesy Image Service, images can be created comfortably. The focus was also on large systems, where several hundred image jobs have to be created. With the tool this is now possible to save time. The time to put on 500 Jobs can thus be reduced from three days to just under an hour.

Auvesy strengthens management and continues to grow

The errors that would arise in the tedious, stupid work compared to the automated solution are not even taken into account. Auvesy's solution takes one important factor into account:

Usually there are still PCs in production older operating systems and hard drives in use that prevent the installation of a large image solution. Therefore, the developers paid attention not only to the compatibility with older operating systems for the image service, but also to the size of the required client installation.

The computers are thus secured remotely. The client installation requires less than 50 MB and can usually be easily installed on small computers without having to expand the hard disk capacity.

Required data backup in an emergency

It gets exciting when an image is actually needed. Then you should not only have one, but also know where it is stored. Therefore, the Landau strategies for systematic management at least as important as the creation itself. Ideally, the images of computers that are not connected to the company network must also be archived and managed at a central location.

The crucial point in the entire chain is then the display of the image. In the past, an operating system had to be preinstalled on the new device. A recovery boot stick is now offered from Versiondog 8.0.

Recovery boot stick for the backup solution

This allows you to get from a completely empty system to an executable solution in a very short time. Of the Boot stick includes a small operating system and all the necessary applications for quick and easy recovery.

Alternatively, it is also possible to have this on a pre-installed operating system PC remote to play. It is now also possible to store images in several storage locations, for example the last ten on a central computer and the last one to five versions locally on a second hard drive.

This means that the recovery can be carried out even faster locally. In any case, the time until the new PC is operational again is significantly reduced. In addition to installing the operating system, copying large image files over the network - sometimes multiple times - can also take up valuable time.

Command line goodbye thanks to the web installer

Have simplified in addition to System Recovery but also other things. So far, the manual initial installation has been quite time-consuming. However, it was partly necessary because not all computers are connected to the company network.

Automatic remote access is therefore not possible everywhere and manual intervention is necessary on site. B. paired with cryptic entries in the command line. This has now been done for Versiondog version 8.0 developed a web installer that makes installation much easier.

The installation package can be generated on the PC via a local website, downloaded from the stick and installed. Alternatively, setup packages for several PCs can also be prepared for installation on a central computer - including a security certificate linked to the respective IP address - and then started for installation on the respective PC.

Users "helped develop"

In general, the interaction between Versiondog and Image Service has been significantly improved, as has the intuitive usability. The feedback from many users and the structured approach of Auvesys project managers contributed significantly to this. The developers ensure that feedback also gets where it is reflected in further developments.

One of these changes according to customer requirements is z. B. that Adjusting the number of temporary directories. This means that a separate temporary directory is available for each job and thus for each subnet. Network availability can be implemented with multiple subnets.

Disk Images quickly secured by automotive suppliers

In general, the Landauers proceed according to an agile concept in their software development. At the start of the project, the entire solution is not determined, but you plan various elements. They implement these in stages and prioritized according to user needs. The priority is re-prioritized from release to release.

Overall, a usable solution is created faster and it is ensured that only those elements are developed that users really need. However, this type of development requires a very disciplined approach and a close look to get to the bottom of the real problem causes behind some workarounds.

The way food is Documentation for the software was adjusted according to customer feedback. A new structure ensures that users are not overloaded with too much unnecessary information, but still everything necessary is available.

Versiondog prospects for version 8.0

Version 8.0 will be available from July 2020. But Auvesy is already starting with further developments for them version 8.5. This includes, for example, FTP integration in order to create alternatives to data transfer in addition to the Windows shares previously used and the possibility of creating differential images.

In order to ensure reliable system operation, preventive maintenance is a topic that is becoming increasingly important in industry and does not stop at data backup. This is why this area will be an important topic in the next version.

HMI devices for extreme industrial environments

This includes active monitoring, e.g. B. from the BIOS battery or from the status of the hard drive that is being backed up. These include their capacity, defective sectors, changes in Hardware-Configuration, etc. Differences in software versions should also be monitored and clearly displayed as a list view.

In addition, many useful solutions can be generated with it. With a mobile image client after all, other operating systems are to be supported in addition to Windows. It is therefore clear that the Image Service is constantly being adapted to the needs of the user, or to put it another way: After the release is before the release.

Auvesy is an exhibitor at PLC Connect.