The following items are required in order to enable Auto Backup:
Backup Location: Enter a path or browse to the folder where the backup files will be saved.
Backup Time: Select the time of day that the backup will be performed. This should typically be some time when system usage is expected to be low (e.g. near midnight).
Week Days: Use this option to define the backup schedule by the day of the week (e.g. each Friday, or every other Monday). Place a check mark for each day that a backup is desired.
Days of Month: Use this option to define the backup schedule based on absolute dates within a month (e.g. on the first and 15th day of the month). An option is also provided to include the Last Day of the month (regardless the actual date)
Options are also provided to select or un-select all.
Once the desired selections have been made, click the 'Save" button to apply the changes. The next schedules backup date and time will be displayed at the lower left corner.
Note #1: The backup process may require from one to a few minutes. During this time RF data reception is disabled. While any lost data will be recovered, it is preferable to coordinate the backup time with the data logging and transmitting interval, that is, select a backup time during which logger RF communication is not expected.
Note #2: The backup process will only occur if DT Pro is running.
Data Archives
The creation of a database archive, an archive file for export, or viewing an existing archive is handled in Configuration Tools > Data Management.
Note: the Data Management tool is not available while radio data reception is active. In a LAN
environment, Archiving and Report Template exporting are restricted to the host computer (the physical location of the database) only.
The performance of the DT Pro database (e.g. the time it takes to retrieve data or run a report) is dependant on the amount of data in the database. Older data can be archived and viewed if needed, and in doing so performance can be enhanced.
A DT Pro archive file contains not only measured data, but also a copy of the system
configuration, alarm histories, study definitions, audit trail entries and other information at the time the file was created. An archive therefore preserves configuration information such as Logger Tag names or alarm set points, information which might subsequently change.
For these two reasons it is highly recommended the database be periodically archived.
Creating an Archive
Two methods for archive creation are provided:
Archive Data: Creates an archive file and removes data from the active database. By default, all data that is older than the Active Record retention period (in Security Setup) is archived. The user may select a different ending date and time range, so long as this range is prior to the record retention setting (in the system security setup window).
Export Archive: Creates an archive file but does not remove the selected data from the active database. The user may specify both starting and ending date and time ranges.
Once the desired method is selected, click the Next button and choose a data and time range for the archive. Click the Finish button to create the archive. A dialog will inquire as to where the file should be saved.
Archive files contain security elements and digital signatures to assure regulatory compliance when printing a report from an archive.
Notice: The archive file will contain a copy of the currently selected report template; it may optionally contain copies of all the templates (option choice is given during the creation process).
By default, standard data archives will be saved in "C:\Documents and Settings\All
Users\Application Data\DTPro\DataArchive". This is a system folder that may be hidden, therefore, it may be preferable to save Export Archives to a different folder.
By default, the file name of an archive begins with "DTArch" and contains date codes indicating the data range (day / month / year format) The file extension of an archive is ".ZIP".
Viewing an Archive
Select the View Archive option and click Next. A list of available archive files will be displayed. If the archives were not saved at the default location, it will be necessary to browse to the folder where the archive(s) exists. Select the desired archive and click Finish.
When an archive is opened, data from the archive file is not imported into the active database as this might overwrite existing configuration information. Instead, the connection to the standard database is suspended and replaced by a connection to the archive file. The archive file can then be viewed through the Data View window (Expand Reports, click Historical Data).
The status of the connection to the Archive file is shown on the top menu bar. When finished with the archive, close the connection to the archive file using the provided button. The connection to the standard database will be resumed.
While viewing an archive, Logger functions, Radio reception and some other system configuration items will not be available (any function that might require recording data in the standard database).
Note: Archive creation and access are audited events.
See also: Data Export, Import and Deletion
Data Limits, Exceptions and Deletion options