Locked File Backup Agent

The Locked File Backup Agent is designed to temporarily "freeze" the target partition before the backup begins, and "thaw" the partition after the backup completes. Freezing the partition allows UltraBac to back up files that are exclusively locked by an application or service and would otherwise be skipped.

Installation

The Locked File Backup Agent is automatically installed when the File-by-File or DR/Image Agents are installed. The system must be rebooted after install for the Locked File Backup Agent to be activated.

NOTE: For more information regarding the installation of the File-by-File Agent and DR/Image Agent, please visit the "Installing UltraBac" section of the User Manual:

UltraBac User Manual: Installing UltraBac

Using the Locked File Backup Agent

NOTE: The UltraBac Locked File Backup Agent is automatically used by the DR/Image backups, and cannot be controlled via user preference.

The global preference to enable the Locked File Backup Agent is located in "Tools"/"Options"/"Agents"/"Remote”/”Local File Agent.” This preference will enable the agent in all File-by-File Agent sets created on the backup host.

To enable the Locked File Backup driver in a specific backup set:

Create or open a backup set.
Click "Action"/"Set Properties" from the main UltraBac menu.
Click on the "File-by-File Agent – Backup Set Options" tab.

Fig. 1 - File-by-File backup set preferences

Check "Enable Locked File Backup."
Click "OK" to save.

After checking "Enable Locked File Backup," the option to "Freeze All Drives" and "Do not use Volume Shadow Copy Service" will become available. These options should be used to maintain the integrity of files or applications (i.e. relational databases) during the freeze, when the files or applications are spread across multiple partitions or disks.

Freeze all Drives – Freeze all drives/partitions on the system at the beginning of the backup.
Do not use Volume Shadow Copy Service – Use the UltraBac Locked File Backup driver to freeze the system.

Uninstalling the Locked File Backup Agent

The Locked File Backup Agent can be uninstalled through the Device Manager in Windows XP/2000/2003. Complete the following steps to remove the Locked File Backup driver.

Access "Computer Management.”
Highlight "Device Manager,” right click, and select "View"/"Show Hidden Devices.”
Right click on "Device Manager" again and select "View"/"Devices by Connection.”

Fig. 2 - UltraBac Locked File Backup driver in the Windows Device Manager.

Scroll down to "UltraBac Locked File Backup Driver,” right click on it, and select "Uninstall.”
Reboot the system to complete the removal of the UltraBac Locked File Backup Agent.