Automatic Backup

Introduction

The database can be backed up automatically so that a recent backup exists in case of hardware failure. In most cases, it is advisable to use a removable USB flash drive to act as the destination for the backup. If a hardware failure occurs, the database can be moved to another terminal so that the most recent database backup can be made active.

Configuration

The database can be backup up automatically by choosing 1 of 4 methods:

1.	Specified Interval: Each time the user logs in (Front of House only), the database will be backup up if the last backup occurred earlier than the specified interval. The interval can range from 1 hour to 1 week.

2.	Drawer Reset: The database will be backed up each time the drawer is reset

3.	Program Startup: The database will be backed up each time the Front of House is started (it will not be backed up when Back Office is started)

4.	*End of Day: The database will be backed up each time the End of Day is run

*Recommended

Database Backup Configuration

Backup Path

A suitable backup path should be chosen so that network traffic is minimized on busy systems. Generally, the backup should be configured to run only on the terminal that stores the database. If a network path is used as the destination folder, the database should be backed up less frequently, i.e. when the End of Day is run. Larger databases require additional time to back up, network bandwidth will be used during the entire backup process. Depending on the size of the database and the destination folder, the backup may take from 5 seconds to 1 minute or more.

If a USB flash drive is the destination, check the box to automatically compress the database when the backup is run. This will save considerable space on the USB drive, since previous backups are not automatically deleted. When restoring the database, the backup must be uncompressed before it can be used.

Restoration

To begin using a backup database, copy the most recent backup to a shared and writeable folder on the terminal that will store the database. If the database is compressed (zipped), uncompress the backup by double-clicking on the file so that the archive is opened by the Windows XP uncompress utility (zipfldr.dll). Then drag the file to the shared database folder. Ensure that the file is writeable by right-clicking on the file and selecting Properties from the context menu. Uncheck the box next to Read-Only if it is checked and click the Apply button. Start Amigo Point of Sale so that the database error screen appears. When prompted to select the database path, navigate to the shared database folder and select the backup file, which ends with the .mdb extension. Click Save Settings on the right menu bar and then click Restart to begin using the new database.

On multi-terminal systems, first map a network drive to the new database folder and then start Amigo Point of Sale so that the database error screen appears and specify the path to the database using the new network drive. Repeat on all terminal except the terminal that stores the database.

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