Introduction
This page covers the functions directly related to managing the database. These are part of the System Settings. The database contains all the system configuration including real time site data such as targets and alarms.
Due to the potential quantity of real time data such as tracks, these are not backed up. The primary function of the database backup is to capture the current software configuration. However it also includes the option to backup and restore alarm data if required.
The functions covered on this page should be used with care, both restoring a database and resetting the database are destructive in that they will remove all current data from the system.
Contents
Backup Database
Selecting the schedule backup option opens up the System Event Scheduler, in which a Backup Task can be created and scheduled, or a pre-existing Backup Task can be edited.
An explanation of the Scheduler's details and options, including Backup tasks, is available on the Schedules page. However, it is important to note that there are two different types of Backup Task:
A System Configuration Backup
A System Configuration and Alarm Backup
In order to include alarms in the backup, Edit the backup task to enable the Backup Alarms checkbox.
A Backup task does not have to be scheduled for the future. By selecting Run Now, a Backup task, or any System Event, will be triggered immediately.
Videos
Here is a short video showing how to perform an immediate system backup:
Here is a video showing how to change a weekly system backup to a daily one:
Restore Database
Selecting the restore database option opens the Restore Database dialog:
Select the Restore File dropdown in order to select a backed up file.
The details of the backed up file will appear in the dialog:
Site Name: The location name of the system from which this file was saved.
Customer Name: To whom the system, from which this file was saved, belongs.
Backup Server: The server on which this file was backed up.
System Version: The version of the system software from which this file was backed up.
Version: The data version of this backup.
Can Restore: Whether a restore is possible, given any disparity between 4 and 5.
Number of Records: This indicates how many records will be restored.
Expire At Offset (days): This is only available when restoring a backup that contains alarm data. This provides an additional offset, in days, for how long you wish to keep the imported alarms from the time of restoration.
WARNING: Restoring a database will delete all existing information in the database before restoring the selected data. We strongly recommend you run a backup of the data before restoring any other backups.
Old data can be restored to a newer version of the Witness software, but not vice versa. The Version must always be the same or a later version of the system software than the System Version the file was saved from. If you attempt to restore data to a older version of the software the Restore Database button will remain disabled and you will not be able to continue.
Reset The System
WARNING: Performing a reset will delete all your data and return the system to the original state when the software was first installed. We strongly recommend you run a backup of the data before resetting the software.
To reset the system to its default settings, select the Reset option. A confirmation window will pop up:
You must type in the code displayed in the dialog to confirm you want to reset the software. Once ready, the OK button will be activated and you can continue.
Once the data has been reset, the system will automatically restart and the user interface will log out.
NOTE: Because the data has been reset and all user account deleted, you can only log back in with default user account details.
Related Information
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Configuration (Witness 4.0)
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Trebuchet Launcher (Witness 4.0)
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System Menu (Witness 4.0)