Cobian User Guide

This section will familiarize you with the features of Cobian, Net Idea's recommended software to use with our remote data back-up service. This will help guide you through the features of Cobian, once you have it installed.

For further assistance, please contact our office to speak with tech support.

This simple UI allows you to set up all of your tasks, and even enable more advanced functions. We will go through the steps necessary to create a Differential back-up system, which is the most common back up set up there is. A differential back-up service allows for you to do a full back-up of all data. Each subsequent day, Cobian will compare the data on your computer to what is stored on the back-up server, and transfer any files that were modified since your last full back-up. Typically in this set up, it is advised to do a full back-up weekly, and differential units for the remainder of the week. Your Net Idea representative can guide you through any other configuration you may need, however the set up principle is the same.

Creating your Task

Click on the “Clipboard” icon in Cobian's Toolbar to start your first task.

Here in the General Section we define the overall parameters of the back-up. Always give your task an easily identifiable name to refer to later, and for the differential back-up, ensure settings are as per above. Your Net Idea representative or IT professional will advise what number to put in the "Make full backup every" section as it is based on your service contract. Now we proceed to the Files section.

This section allows you to specify what files, folders and network resources you want to back up. Using windows Explorer, simply drag the items you want to back-up to the top window. Remember that we include all subdirectories in the set up, so use the top most level directory you can. For example, if you wanted to make a back-up of your 'My Documents' and 'My Pictures' folders, you would simply have to drag the 'My Documents' folder to the top as 'My Pictures' is located inside the 'My Documents' folder. We can specify any exclusions needed in a later section. The bottom portion is where we define the location that your back-ups will be going, in this case our back-up server. When you click add, you will see the following window. All of the fields will be blank, however I have entered in sample information to give you a better idea of what is needed.

You will have been provided a username and password specifically for the back-up service, which you enter as above. Host information once entered will automatically specify port 21. Depending on your location and service level will determine what your working directory will be, and this information will be provided at the same time as you received your username and password. Contact a Net Idea representative if you need this information again. Once this information is entered, and you are connected to the Internet, click on the 'Test' button to verify your settings. If your test passes, click on OK. You can have multiple destinations, which is handy for people who also do back-up to Disk. Your compressed and encrypted back-up archive will be placed in another destination for future processing, or to be there for more advanced automation. We now move on to the Schedule tab on the left.

The Schedule tab is pretty straight forward. In here you are simply specifying when your task will be started. Depending on your level of service will determine if a specific time is required. Your Net Idea representative will provide you with this information at the time of sign up. It is always recommended to perform the task after business hours, with ample time to handle the transfer. To save power, Cobian has some more advanced functions we will cover later, that will allow you to shut down your systems after the task is complete. We now proceed to the 'Archive' Tab on the Left.

Special

The Special section is where we can specify files to include or exclude from the back-up process. We typically recommend against entering items to the top section as by default all files located in your source directories will be transferred. We do however, recommend specifying any individual files or file types to exclude from the back-up process. Very handy at preventing the service from backing up redundant and unnecessary files. Specifying file types helps prevent time loss from entering each specific file you do not wish to back up.

Events and Advanced

We don't go into events much as it involves more internal functions to your computer and not any service provided by Net Idea. Events allow you to tell Cobian to automate computer and network functions before and after the back-up and transfer process. This is handy if you want to shut down your systems after the back-up to save on power. The Cobian Help guides will explain more about the Events and how you can make it work for you.

The Advanced section is needed when Cobian would have to log on as an Administrator to perform specific functions. As we installed this software as a service on an administrator account, there should be no changes made to the advanced section. Larger NT environments may require it, however your IT professional can advise you if this is necessary and make the appropriate adjustments.

Cobian Options

Cobian's Options or preferences are pretty much ok right “out of the box” and won't need any modifications unless you have been advised otherwise. Modify your preferences ONLY under the advice of your Net Idea representative or your preferred IT professional. Failure to comply will result in unstability of the program, and could jeopardize your DATA integrity.

Data Restoration

The quickest method is to use an FTP client such as Filezilla to retrieve your files from server. Once the archives are back on your system, a decompression utility like WinZIP will extract your files. If you encrypted your files, you will also need to have the Cobian Decryption tool installed on your computer for best results. Once the archive is decrypted and decompressed, simply copy and paste the files to their proper location.

The Fine Print

Your back-up service contract is based on the bandwidth and storage space required to host your back-up data. Cobian is software we recommend using with our service, however is not a Net Idea branded product, therefore Net Idea shall not be held liable for any problems that may occur when using the software. We highly recommend backing up your data to disk before installation and first use to recover from any problems.

Some Internet Service Providers have data transfer limits which are enforced. Please review with your Net Idea representative what your bandwidth and storage needs are and discuss with your ISP what your transfer limits may be to be aware of any additional transfer charges imposed by the providor.

We thank you for subscribing to our back-up service. We hope you enjoy a simple, easy to use program to give you piece of mind that your precious data is automatically backed up to a secure off site location. Should you have any questions, comments or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact one of our friendly technical support staff for assistance.

Data Back-Up Setup

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