File-level Backups

This chapter describes the procedures used to perform file-level backups of protected clients. Clients must be registered to the backup system before running these procedures. See About adding clients for details. File-level backups protect a client’s file system, and in release 7.4 or higher, file-level backups can also protect the operating system of most Windows clients. (For details about protecting a Windows client’s operating system with file-level backups, see Windows Hot Bare Metal Protection.) For descriptions of the procedures used to protect applications and virtual machine infrastructure, see the applicable chapters.

Note about virtual machines: If you have VMware or Hyper-V virtual machines, you can protect them using Unitrends VMware backups, Hyper-V backups, or by installing an agent and running Unitrends file-level backups. To determine the protection strategy that works best for you, review Protecting VMware Infrastructure and Protecting Hyper-V Environments.

If you are a new user of the Unitrends backup system, it is recommended that you read the Backups Overview chapter before running the procedures described here. The overview chapter provides a detailed discussion of backup types, backup groups, and other key concepts referenced throughout this chapter.

This chapter contains the following topics:

     File-level backup types

     File-level backup strategies

     Grouping clients for file-level protection

     Using selection lists

     About executing file-level backups

     Working with the Computer backup subsystem

     Working with the Enterprise backup subsystem

     Working with client aliases