User Manual for NetBack version 4.0

1 Introduction

NetBack is utility that allows you to select an unlimited number of network shares for backup.
This program is not meant to replace NTBackup.Exe or other backup facilities. It is to be used as
a tool to extend the functionality and to make backups easier to schedule and manage.

Backups are created from the target list of network share names selected. The target list is
constructed by adding shares from the source list to the target list with point and click operations.
The source list is a compilation of all network share names found.

 2 Functions:
     >> 	- Move a selected share to the target list.
     <<		- Remove a selected share from the target list.
     Up		- Move a selected share in the target list up one position.
     Down	- Move a selected share in the target list down one position.
     Modify	- Change a selected shares options, type, and/or temporary drive.
     Execute 	- Start the backup of the selected shares.
     Exit	- Exit this program
     Intro.	- Print a help message.
     Refresh	- Refresh the network share list. Gets the current share list from the network.

3 Global Options:
     Initialize Tape - The backup series will initialize the tape during the first backup.
     Log NetBack - Creates a log file of all messages sent to the Status window(s). This provides
a mechanism to review status messages and other information gathered by NetBack.

4 Backup Options:
     Create Log File - Creates a log file of the form __<node name>_<share name>.Log in the
       current working directory (where the program is run from).
     Pause	- Lets the program sleep for 5 seconds per backup to give the tape drive time
       to reset.
     Verify	- Verifys the backup just completed.
     Password	- Uses the specified password and username for connection requests.
     Debug	- Runs NTBackup in debug mode.

5 Backup Type:
     Normal	- All the selected files are backed up and updated on disk.
     Copy	- All the selected files are backed up.
     Incremental	- Only files not previously backed up are selected and updated on disk.
     Differential	- Only files not previously backed up are selected.
     Daily	- Only files modified the same day as the backup are selected.

6  Temporary Drive:
     Assigns the temporary drive letter used to connect to the selected share during the
     backup phase. Normally the same letter is used for all shares. Only available drives
     are listed.

7 Username and Password
     Specifies the username and password combination for connection requests.

8 Status Message:
     Displays important information to the user. Read its messages for backup status and
     error messages.

9 Command line arguements
   The following values may be passed on the command line.
     -delay	Used to keep NetBack from scanning the network at startup.
     -execute	Used to initiate a backup once NetBack is started. NetBack will not exit once the
backup is complete. This allows the user to check the status messages to confirm the
completeness of the backup.
     -exit		Used to exit NetBack after a backup is complete.
     -help	Used to display the introduction message at startup.
     -input:<n>	Used for passing the name of the input configuration file. <n> denotes the name
of the file.
     -minimum	Used for bug workarounds for the NTBackup.Exe, uses minimum commands for
backups. If Service Pack 2 has been applied, pass this parameter on the command line.
     -password:<s> Used for passing the password to disable the shareware message at the
bottom of the screen.

9 Mouse Button Menu Functions
     The NetBack menu may be accessed by selecting the RIGHT mouse button anywhere in the
NetBack window and not on top of a window control.
     Open	- open a saved NetBack configuration file.
     Save	- save the current NetBack configuration for use at a later time.
     Exit		- Exits NetBack.

10 Menu Bar
     File		- manipulates NetBack configuration files.
		Open	- Opens a NetBack configuration file.
		Save	- Saves a NetBack configuration to a file.
		Create BAT File - Creates a BAT file based on the target shares selected. This
file is not meant to replace NetBack, but can be used as a poor substitute for other programs that
use BAT files for scheduling. NetBack does a superior job of handling and reporting errors that a
BAT file could not provide.
		Exit	- Exits NetBack.

     Status	- manipulates status windows.
		Open Status Window	- Opens a Status Message window.
		Close Status Window	- Closes an open Status Message window.
		Clear Status Messages	- Clears all message from any tatus Message window.

     Shares	- manipulates share names in the source and target list.
		Clear Selected		- Clears all shares from the target list.
		Add Administrative	- Trys to find all Administrative shares for nodes in the
source list.
		Add All			- Adds all shares in the source list to the target list.
		Add Filtered		- Add only those shares that match a wildcard string
provided by the user.

     Verb		- manipulates the verbs for the backup command. This allows NetBack to adapt
to any backup program available and allows the user to better customize the backup process.
		Modify Verbs		- Allows modifications of the verbs for backup. Consult
the backup providers documentation for more information.
		Reset Verbs		- Resets the NetBack verbs to the default verbs for the
backup provider NTBackup.
		Spawn Backup Session	- Spawn a command line built from the "Executable"
and "Misc." verb strings.
     Help		- displays help messages and functions.
		Help			- displays instructions to the status message window.
		About			- displays quick info on NetBack
		Create Program Group	- creates a Program Group named "NetBack" and a
Program Item named "NetBack 4.0".

11 Usage

NetBack presents the user with a dialog box that is centered around two lists, the source list and
the target list. The source list shows all network shares found. The target list shows the shares
selected from the source list for backup. All other information is centered around either the
shares on the network  or the items in the target list.

The most important thing to learn about NetBack is the way to Add shares from the source list to
the target list. Share may be added in the following way(s):
1) Select a share from the drop-down list and add them to the target list.
2) Open a configuration file that has been created by NetBack or edited by hand. Occasionally,
NetBack will not find some network shares that are provided by third-party network providers. If
you know the names of the shares, add them to a configuration file and let NetBack try to add
them in.
3) Manually enter the share name in the drop-down source list box and add it to the target list.
Occasionally, NetBack will not find some network shares that are provided by third-party network
providers. If you know the names of the share, add it to the source list and let NetBack try to add
it in.
4) Add by Filter. This allows you to specify a wildcard pattern for finding matches from the source
list. For example, the filter string "\\*\*backup*" will find all nodes that have the string "backup" in
their share name. Using a filter can save time if you have a backup scheme in place.

If a share name is not added to the target list, look at the error messages provided in the status
windows. They may show problems that are easily correctible, such as changing the username
and password combination for network connections.

The options and backup types found on the right hand side of the screen are modifiers for the
shares in the target list. A share item may be modified in two ways.

First, select the desired modifiers before adding a share to the target list. When the share is
added to the target list, it inherits the modifiers selected for it.

Second, select the desired modifiers, highlite the desired share in the target list, and press the
"Modify" button. The target share will then inherit the modifiers selected for it.

Many of the command line arguements may be combined to automate backups for repeated and
unattended use. By mixing pre-configured configuration files with the commands "-delay"
"-execute" and "input", backups can be run automatically through the WindowsNT "AT"
command. For example the command, "NetBack.Exe -delay -input:monday.cfg -execute" will
have the following effects.
	1) NetBack is started
	2) the network is not scanned for network shares.
	3) the file monday.cfg is scanned for share information.
	4) a backup is started after all input data is checked.

By saving a configuration to a file, you can save yourself time if no new backups will be added
during the execution of NetBack. The configuration files may be edited by hand, the format is
explained at the top of each file.

11 Backup Schemes

A backup scheme that lets Users and Systems Administrators work together yields the best
results. Use the following steps as a template.
1) Create a directory that contains NetBack.Exe and share it on the network under the name
Logs.
2) Let the users share an unlimited number of network shares. Tell them that you will backup
every share that contains the string "backup" somewhere in it.
3) Select all options for the backups, please include the option "Log File".
4) Start NetBack and add all names that match "\\*\*backup*".
5) Execute the backup.
6) Send a mail message upon a successful completion to the Users and let them know that they
can check on their backup status by reading the log files created. Use the following DOS
command as an example, "notepad \\Dios\Logs\__Bunny_Backup.Log". The example command
will start the notepad application with the file stored on node "\\Dios" under the share name
"Logs" with the log file name of "__Bunny_Backup.Log". This log file was created by backing up
node "\\Bunny"'s share name "Backup".

By utilizing the "save" and "open" configuration file features, you can create your own schemes
and scheduling of NetBack operations.

12 Downloading NetBack

NetBack is found in the source file NetBack.Ex_. This file may be expanded under NT with the
command "expand netback.ex_ NetBack.Exe". This will restore the file to its original size and
form. You are now ready to run NetBack!

13 NetBack Upgrades and Updates

NetBack is always under development. If you need a function that is not available or want to
suggest an improvement, please send in your suggestions.

If you find a bug, please report it as soon as possible. The sooner it is reported, the sooner it will
be fixed.

14 Coming Attractions

NetBack v5.0 is targted to include the following functionality.

1) A local backup mechanism. NetBack will work with the tape drive directly and will not require a
third-party provider for the interface to the tape drive. For downward compatibility, the current
functionality will be included.

2) Additional default verb menu selections. Along with NTBackup and Generic, expect to see
verbs for other backups packages. If you use a backup and would like to see the versb included,
please send me E-Mail and let me know.


15 Registering NetBack

NetBack is a shareware program that may be registered at anytime by sending $45.00, your
node name, and your returm address. Once payment has been received, I will send a password
that disables the shareware warning message at the bottom of the screen. This password only
needs to be entered once.


Thanks for using this program,

-Alan B Clark

E-Mail:
CompuServe:	72730,3127
Internet:	72730.3127@compuserve.com
