Backup4all supports backing up to multiple S3 Compatible servers. These cloud backup destinations are hosted by different companies. The backed up data can be easily accessed from any other computer with an Internet connection.
The Amazon S3 compatible clouds that can be selected as backup destinations are as follows: Akaza, Aruba Cloud, Backblaze B2, Caringo, CenturyLink, Cisco, Cloudian, Connectria, Constant, DDN, dinCloud, DreamObjects, Dunkel, T Cloud, Exoscale, GreenQloud, HGST, Hitachi, HostEurope, IDC Frontier, LeoNovus, Mandic, Minio, NetApp, NiftyClouds, Numergy, QNAP, Revera, Scality, Seeweb, SwiftStack, ThinkOn, Tiscali, vCloud Air (EMC), Verizon, Walrus, and Zettagrid. You can also connect another compatible S3 server by manually editing the Settings.
Defining an S3 Compatible configuration
Before using S3 Compatible as a destination for backing up, you should define a new S3 compatible configuration using the File->Options->Online connections->S3 compatible window. Once defined, you will be able to apply this S3 compatible configuration to individual backup jobs.
Press the Add button once in File->Options->Online connections->S3 compatible to add a new S3 compatible connection. The New S3 compatible configuration name will appear in the list and you can enter the other settings for this connection:
- Configuration name - Set a name of your choice for the connection.
- S3 Server - Select one of the S3 Compatible servers from the dropdown list. Leave it on custom if you are connecting to a different server. You can also edit the fields after selecting a server.
- Endpoint - Type the S3 server endpoint (address:port).
- Use SSL - Check this option if the selected S3 server uses SSL encryption.
- Access Key ID - In this field you have to enter the key for your S3 compatible account.
- Secret Access Key - In this field you'll have to enter the secret key for your account.
- Signature version - Select the signature version used by the S3 Compatible server.
- Region - From the drop down list, select the region where your account is located.
- Bucket - Here you'll have to enter the name of the bucket. You can also create a new bucket at the selected Region.
- Folder - If you want to use a specific folder, enter its name here.
- Storage class - Select the storage class you want to use. You can choose between: Default, Standard, Standard - Infrequent Access Storage, One Zone - Infrequent Access Storage and Reduced Redundancy.
In the Online connections page you can set the number of retry attempts and interval length (wait) for connecting to S3 server. This is a global setting for all S3 server connections. By default, if the server cannot be reached the first time, Backup4all will attempt to connect 5 more times at intervals of 60 seconds. If all attempts fail, then the backup is aborted.
Once you have finished defining the connection, press the Test button to check if the S3 server details you have entered are correct. If the test was successful, The S3 server connection was tested successfully message will be displayed.
Setting the destination to S3 server
When defining a new backup job using the New Backup Wizard, select S3 Compatible in the Destination section (1st page of the wizard). If you already have a defined backup job and want to change the destination to S3 Compatible, select that backup job, open the Properties window (Ctrl+P), go to the Destination page and select S3 Compatible. There you can choose from existing S3 Compatible configurations or create a new connection.
If you have any defined S3 Compatible configurations, you will be able select one from the dropdown list (to define a configuration go to File->Options->Online connections->S3 Compatible ). Alternatively, you may define a custom configuration during the same step of the Backup Wizard.
Once you've entered the connection details, it is recommended to run a connection test by pressing the Test button.
Recommendations for backing up to S3 Compatible
- After each change to the S3 Compatible configuration be sure to use the Test function.
- If you backup important data to a remote location using S3 Compatible, encrypt the zip files for increased security. In this case, even if another person manages to gain unauthorized access to your S3 Compatible, your files will still be protected.