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Purpose:
After creating an image of your instrument PC, the instrument data backup is your second step in protecting against data loss and extended down time.
Supervisors of each area are responsible for making sure their instrument PCs have a disk image taken routinely and its data is being backed-up. To help with this effort, OIS now has a spreadsheet where supervisors and staff can see information on your instrument PC backups and images here: "O:\OIS\InstrumentBackupSummary.xlsm"
While OIS has processes available to assist you, the lab holds primary responsibility for protecting against data loss and ensuring recoverability in case of software/hardware failure. This article will provide an overview of the tools available, detailed information on requesting an instrument data backup and a description of your role in creating and maintaining your backup set.
Steps in protecting your instrument:
Step 1 – Instrument PC image. For more information on instrument imaging, please read this article. https://wslh.teamdynamix.com/TDClient/2042/Portal/KB/ArticleDet?ID=154959
Step 2 – Instrument Data Backup.
The primary purpose of an instrument data backup is to preserve specific files you will need in addition to the instrument image in the case of a severe hardware/software failure. These files change or are created by the software after an image is created. Examples include result files, an instrument database, method files, etc. This backup is not intended to recover your entire PC only the critical data/files needed to get the instrument back up and running after a failure.
A second reason for an instrument data backup is to archive important data, like results that may need to be retained for long periods of time but do not necessarily need to be kept on the PC.
To access this form: Select the Form attached in the bottom right of this page labeled “WSLH Instrument Data Request”
Below is a description of the fields in the form, what they mean and how to fill them out.
Job Name: (Leave blank) This is for internal use by OIS staff, which references the Argent Job #.
Date: The Date the request was created (the date you filled out the form)
Request by: Name of the analyst who is making the request.
Instrument Locations
Building: Instrument Location / Building: Ag Drive, Ag Drive North, or Henry Mall?
Room Number: Room number where the instrument is located
Lab: This is the lab you are associated with. This helps us determine location for backup if needed
Instrument Name: The name of the instrument. This will be included in any error logs that are sent out
Instrument PC #: The WSLH PC number on the instrument PC. This will be part of the backup job name.
Instrument Source Locations: The folder locations on the PC, where the Instrument data is stored, that you would need to recover if your Instrument PC crashed. This should be the specific folder location(s) where the data is stored on the local PC.
Destination Where do you currently back up your data, or if this is a new instrument, where do you want your data backed up. This will need to be a location on SLHDATAEHD or SLHDATAHM.
Delete files from Source PC: Would you like files deleted?
If Yes, how long to keep them? How long would you like to keep the source data before it is deleted.
Backup Frequency: When would you like this backup to run? Daily, Weekly, Monthly, etc and the time of day or evening you would like it to run.
List any sub-directories that should never be deleted: If you have deletes enabled and want certain files or directories excluded you would enter them here.
Email Backup Notification: It is required to have two people listed in this field. The first address listed will be noted as the primary contact. These are the people who will receive automated emails when the backup has problems and who we will be working with while fixing the problem.
Ticket#: The Ticket number associated with this request. If you have not created a ticket when you are filling out this form. Leave this blank and we will fill it in after your submission.
Supervisor Signature: This is where the Supervisor can Sign the form.
OIS Notes: This is for OIS staff only to document changes to the original.
If you have any questions please call the Service Desk (608) 221-6262