Backing up a NetDVMS recorder
Procedure Steps
Note: It is a good idea to make regular backups of your server configuration as a disaster recovery measure. Upgrading your server is no exception. While it is rare to lose your configuration (cameras, schedules, views, and so on), it can happen under certain circumstances. It takes only a minute to back up your existing configuration:
- Create a folder called Backup on the desktop of your NetDVMS server, on a network drive, or on removable media.
- Open My Computer, and then navigate to the NetDVMS installation folder.
- Copy the following files and folders into your Backup folder:
- All configuration (.ini) files.
- All scheduling (.sch) files.
- The file users.txt (not found in most installations).
- Folders with a name ending in ...ViewGroups.
Note: These folders might not exist if upgrading from old software versions.
Removing the Current Version
NetDVMS versions 6.0a and later can be removed automatically during installation of the new version. When installing the new version, simply answer Yes if asked to accept automatic removal. The automatic removal will not delete any existing recordings or configuration. NetDVMS versions 6.0 and earlier, as well as lower products in the product portfolio, must be removed manually before installing the new version. Manually removing the old version involves removing two components on the server. Removing these components will not remove your configuration files:
NetDVMS versions 6.0a and later can be removed automatically during installation of the new version. When installing the new version, simply answer Yes if asked to accept automatic removal. The automatic removal will not delete any existing recordings or configuration. NetDVMS versions 6.0 and earlier, as well as lower products in the product portfolio, must be removed manually before installing the new version. Manually removing the old version involves removing two components on the server. Removing these components will not remove your configuration files:
- From the Windows Start menu, select Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs.
- Remove NetDVMS (or the lower product).
- When asked if you want to remove database files or registry settings, you should normally not select any of the check boxes. You can choose to remove database files if you wish, but removing registry settings might mean that the new software version will not utilize the existing configuration.
- Remove Video Device Driver/Pack Vx.x (where x.x refers to the version number).
Installing the New Version
Once the old version of the software is removed, you can run the installation file for the new software version. Select the installation options that best fit your needs. There are some recent software changes that you should be aware of:
Once the old version of the software is removed, you can run the installation file for the new software version. Select the installation options that best fit your needs. There are some recent software changes that you should be aware of:
- It is possible to install the software as a service, and as of NetDVMS 6.5 this is the only option since the Monitor application has been discontinued. When the software runs as a service, the Recording Server runs as a background process, and all local or remote viewing is done through either a NetGuard-EVS or a NetGuard.
- The HTTP Server/Realtime Feed Server (a very basic alternative to NetGuard-EVS/NetGuard) can only be used when the software is installed as an application. Since installing as an application is no longer possible in current NetDVMS versions, the HTTP Server and Realtime Feed Server have been discontinued. Use the much superior NetGuard-EVS or NetGuard instead.
- NetDVMS's Administrator window might appear on your screen during installation. When this happens, the window will automatically close again after a short time.
- In the most recent software version, a Download Manager is introduced, and you will have the option of opening the Download Manager during installation. The Download Manager is used for managing which features your organization's users can access from a targeted welcome page on the surveillance system server. You can open the Download Manager if you like, but you can just as easily make changes through the Download Manager once installation is complete.
Restoring a Configuration Backup (if required)
If for some reason after installing the new software version you have lost the old configuration, you can easily restore the configuration provided you have created a backup of your configuration prior to upgrading the software:
If for some reason after installing the new software version you have lost the old configuration, you can easily restore the configuration provided you have created a backup of your configuration prior to upgrading the software:
- Drag and drop the backed-up configuration files and folders into the new installation directory.
- When asked if you wish to overwrite the existing files, click [Yes].
- Restart the server.
Applies To
NetDVMS
