Active Backup for Business Agent

Active Backup for Business is the all-in-one backup solution, designed for streamlining and enhancing data protection in businesses' diverse IT environments. Before protecting and backing up data stored on personal computers as well as physical Windows Servers, this Active Backup Agent is required to be installed on the target device to carry out the designed backup tasks and store the backed up data. As the management is centralized on the server end, most of the actions require either DSM or device's administrative privilege.

Installation

Coming in the file type of .msi, installer of Active Backup for Business Agent for 32-bit and 64-bit models are available at Download Center. Both installers can be downloaded through the Active Backup for Business on DSM > Physical Server > Add device. The download links for both installers will be displayed on the pop-out window after clicking.

System Requirement:

To install the agent:

Run the downloaded installer on a compatible target device. After reading and accepting Synology's Terms of Service, the installation will start. Please note that the administrative privilege is required when installing the agent.

To install the agent in batch:

Batch installation can be achieved by leveraging existing Microsoft Windows Active Directory Service (ADS).

To update the agent:

Agent can be updated by installing a newer installer directly on the device. To remotely update the agent, administrators can install the newer agent on multiple devices with the existing Microsoft Windows ADS; or go to DSM Active Backup for Business, find and select the target device that needs an update and click Update. The update task will be processed and done automatically.

To uninstall the agent:

Go to Windows Control Panel > Programs > Uninstall a program. Find and select Synology Active Backup for Business Agent, then click Uninstall and follow the standard process to uninstall.

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Configuration

The backup settings are pre-configurable on Active Backup for Business installed on DSM. Administrators can regulate backup information including name of template, backup type, source and destination, schedule, retention policy and delegate restore permission (supported on physical server only) in Template.

To create a backup template for agent-based backup:

Administrators of the DSM can go to Active Backup for Business > Settings > Template to create backup templates for devices. Among all the pre-configurable settings, Backup type (PC or Physical server) can be modified directly later during logging in. Please refer to the following paragraph: To edit backup summary for further instructions.

To start protecting the device (deployment):

  1. On your Windows computer, go to Start > All Programs > Synology > Synology Active Backup for Business Agent to launch the service interface.
  2. Enter the server address of the Synology NAS, in the form of IP address or DDNS. After entering username and password, click Connect to log in. You can also log in with IPv6.
  3. If you are unable to connect to the Synology NAS, click Proxy to open the proxy setting window. Fill in your settings and re-connect to the Synology NAS.
  4. After successfully connecting to the Synology NAS, a backup summary based on the matched template created in advance will be displayed. Upon clicking OK, the backup task of the device will be created.

Note:

To edit beackup summary:

To edit the Backup type (PC or Physical server) on the backup summary page, administrative privilege on the DSM is required.

  1. Click on the value of Backup type which needs to be edited.
  2. Enter the DSM administrator's account and password to permit the following action.
  3. Edit the type.

Note:

To run the backup task immediately:

The first time of backup could be according to the designed schedule or upon creation. This is a pre-configured settings in Template > Schedule. To enable backup immediately after creating the task, tick the check box: Back up instantly after the client is connected to the server.

Note:

On Windows notification icon

The Active Backup for Business Agent service will be running in the background and not be terminated after closing the window. Instead, the service will be listed on the notification area and icon on the Taskbar of the Windows desktop. By right-clicking on the tray icon, a context menu on which all the available options are listed.

Monitor

The main interface of the service is for real-time monitor's use. On the interface in the form of a monitor panel divided into three areas: Backup Status, Server Information and Recent Activities.

Backup status

The real-time backup status is displayed in the form of an icon. When there is no backup task running, here you can check the previous and next backup time of the device. When running a backup task and errors occur, error message as well as suggested solution will be displayed here.

Displayed status:

Completed:
This icon indicates that the previous backup task has completed. The Last backup time and Next backup time, if not manual, will be displayed underneath the status for reference.
Backing up:
This icon indicates that the task is backing up. The transfer status will be displayed in real-time underneath the status.
Idle:
This icon indicates that the device has not run any backup task yet. Next backup time, if not manual, will be displayed underneath the status for reference.
Canceled:
This icon indicates that the backup task has been canceled. This action can only be taken by the server. If applicable, Last backup time will record the time of the device's last successful backup beneath the status. Next backup time, if not manual, will be displayed underneath the status for reference.
Partial success:
This icon indicates that backup task is only partially successful. Detailed warning information can be traced on the admin console > Activities > Task history.
Error:
This icon indicates that one or more error occured, including failed internet connection. A brief error message and a suggested solution will be displayed next to the icon. More detailed information can be traced on the admin console > Activities > Task history.

Server information

Server information displays the connected server as well as the logged in account. When the server address requires a modification, right-click on the tray icon > Edit connection to modify. Please refer to Edit connection for more information. The logged in account, on the other hand, cannot be changed under all the circumstances.

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Recent activities

All the backup stages of the device and the occured time will be listed in this table in chronological order.

Restore

When disasters occur and recovery is needed, Active Backup for Business supports the following types of restoring:

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Disconnect from the server

To disconnect from the server, right-click on the icon of Synology Active Backup for Business Agent on Windows tray menu, then click Log out on the context menu. Backup tasks will remain recorded on the server, but cannot be carried out until the next login.

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