Creating backup configurations

You can create one or more backup configurations to define various types of backups, storing the data at any of the defined backup locations, and the frequency of when backups are performed.

1. From the console, click System > Backup and Restore.

   The Backup Configurations table is displayed, showing the available backup configurations, if any, that have already been defined.

2. Click Create New to create a new backup configuration.
   The Backup Profiles - Create new configuration window is displayed.

   An initial graphic indicator is displayed, which is used to show the available backup storage capacity for any backup location that you select, and an estimate of the backup storage required depending on the type of backup that you configure and the number of component types you select.

3. In the Name field, type a unique name for this backup location.
   For example, System Backup, or Nightly Critical Backup. You must specify a unique name in this field before the other input fields are enabled. If you do not specify a name and click Close, no profile is created.

   Note: Do not enter non-permissible characters in the profile name, such as angular brackets (< >), percentage ( % ), question mark (?), ampersand (&), semicolon ( ;), and equal to ( =). For more information about the security fixes, see Security fixes. If you enter restricted characters in the profile name, then the create profile operation fails without any status message on the user interface.
4. In the Location field, select a backup location from the available list.
   This field is initially empty. You can select any location from the list, however be aware that if you are configuring a system level backup or a component level backup that will include users or user groups, you must select a location that is enabled for encryption.

   If there are no entries in this list, then no backup locations are defined yet. In this case you must close this window to return to the main Backup and Restore page, and use the Set up button to create one or more backup locations before you can create a backup configuration profile.

   You might choose to leave this field empty until you specify the type of backup you want and, for a component level backup, select one or more component types to include in the backup. The estimated backup capacity and time to back up are calculated and displayed as you decide what to include in the backup. These estimates might help you decide on the appropriate backup location, or help you determine how much storage you will need before you set up a remote storage system in your environment.

   Until you select a backup location, however, the total available storage capacity cannot be calculated and displayed in the window.

5. Select the type of backup to perform.
   You can select either a System backup or a Component backup. The System backup radio button is selected for you by default.

   Note: If you choose to configure a system backup, ensure that the backup location for this profile is enabled for encryption. All system level backups can be performed only with backup locations that are enabled for encryption.

   Similarly, if you are configuring a component level backup, and if you plan to include users or user groups in the backup data, you must also select a backup location that is enabled for encryption. If you are planning a component level backup without users and user groups, then you can select a backup location that is not enabled for encryption.

   If you select a system backup, the estimated storage required and time to perform the backup are calculated based on the contents of your system.

6. If you select to perform a Component backup, you are presented with an additional list of component types to include in your backup. These component types are grouped into three categories: Workload, Cloud, and Security. Select one or more component types from these categories.
   • Workload category:
     • Add-ons
     • Database images
     • Database patterns
     • DB2 fix packs
     • Emergency fixes
     • Pattern components
     • Pattern types
     • Script packages
     • System plug-ins
     • Virtual application patterns
     • Virtual application templates
     • Virtual images
     • Virtual system patterns
     • Virtual system patterns (Classic)
     • Virtual system templates
   • Cloud category:
     • Cloud groups
     • Environment profiles
     • IP groups
     • Virtual appliances
   • Security category:
     • Users
     • User groups

   If you select the Component backup type, but close this window without selecting at least one component type, the backup profile is saved with a status of Misconfigured.

   Some component types have interdependencies, so you should ensure that they are backed up together as needed. For example, Virtual system pattern definitions depend on script packages and add-ons, so you should back them up together as needed. You can either choose to include all of your component types together in a single backup profile, or you can back them up in multiple, smaller backup profiles as needed.

   As you select or clear the check boxes for these component types, the estimated storage required and time to perform the backup are recalculated based on the contents of the selected component types.

   If the total storage required for your backup exceeds the available storage space in your selected backup location, you might need to reduce the amount of data being backed up, or you might need to select another backup location or arrange for additional storage capacity on your specified backup location.

7. Select the frequency of the backup. You can select On demand or Scheduled.

   Select On demand to define this backup configuration to be started on demand as needed and not run automatically according to a defined schedule.

8. For a Scheduled backup, you can define additional details as to when the backup is to be performed.

   Start backup date

   Specify the date when this backup is to begin. The date specified must be today's date or later. You can either enter the date in the field directly or use the calendar selection menu to specify the date.

   Start backup time

   Specify the time of day when this backup is to begin. If the backup is scheduled to start today, the time that is specified cannot be earlier than the current time. You can either enter the time directly in the field or use the time selection menu to select a time from the available list of 15 minute intervals.

   Important: Do not manually enter a time for a scheduled backup. You must select a time from the available list of 15 minute intervals.

   Scheduled backup to repeat

   Specify whether the backup is to be performed Daily at the same time each day, or Weekly. When you select Weekly, you can select one or more days of the week to perform the backup.

   End backup date

   You can specify an end date after which the backup is no longer performed. If you do not specify an end backup date, the backup is performed continuously as scheduled.

9. Optional: Set the Scheduled backup status to either Backup enabled or Backup disabled.

   Backup enabled

   The backup profile is available to perform scheduled backup operations.

   Backup disabled

   The backup profile cannot be used to perform scheduled backup operations. You can, however, run these backups on demand as needed. Scheduled backups are disabled automatically when the current time is after the scheduled start and end dates.

   At any time, you can change the Backup enabled status to Backup disabled. You might choose to disable backup profiles during maintenance times, to prevent scheduled backup operations from being performed during that time. You can return the state of the backup profile to Backup enabled when you are ready to resume scheduled backup operations.

10. Your backup configuration changes are saved immediately. Click Close to close this window and return to the main Backup and Restore page.
    Your backup profile is added to the bottom of the Backup Configurations table.