How Do I Back Up Lasernet?

We recommend creating regular backups, as well as ad hoc backups, before making significant changes. By always having a backup of your system, you will be able to restore it in the event of a system failure or if recently applied changes cannot be reversed.

When upgrading your software, it is not always possible to downgrade and then open a configuration stored in the Lasernet Config server. Although uncommon, making backups will also help prevent data loss due to hardware failures.

Prerequisite Steps

Complete the following steps before creating a backup.

Commit Changes

If applicable, ensure that changes made to objects have been committed to the Lasernet Config server to prevent work from being lost.

Release Temporary Jobs

Release temporary jobs, if any. These are stored by the Lasernet services.

Note the Server Runtime Data Directory

Before creating a backup, take note of the runtime directory for each configuration’s instance. The default is:

C:\ProgramData\Formpipe Software\Lasernet 10\Service\%InstanceName%\

1. Open Lasernet Developer.

2. Open your configuration.

3. Select Servers from the Tools menu.

4. Double-click the relevant server to display the Default Properties dialog.

5. Open the General tab.

6. Take note of the Server runtime data directory.

Stop Services in Windows

1. Open the Services application.

2. Select the Lasernet Config 10 and Lasernet 10 services, then stop them.

Stop SQL Server Process

Note

The steps in this section are only needed when using SQL Server LocalDB for the Lasernet Config server.

1. Open the Task Manager application

2. Open the Details tab.

3. Select the sqlservr.exe service, right-click, and select End task. Repeat this step for any sqlservr.exe running on the server.

Create a Backup

Copy Server Runtime Data Directory

The following sections must be completed to create a successful backup:

Copy Lasernet Config Server Runtime Directory (in Lasernet 10 folder)

Follow these steps to back up the Config folder:

1. Open Windows Explorer.

2. Navigate to the runtime directory noted earlier: C:\ProgramData\Formpipe Software\Lasernet 10\.

3. Create a copy of the Config folder.

Copy all Lasernet Server Instance Runtime Directories

Follow these steps for each directory you want to include in the backup:

1. Open Windows Explorer.

2. Navigate to the runtime directory you noted earlier. If the default location is used, this will be C:\ProgramData\Formpipe Software\Lasernet 10\Service\.

3. Create a copy of the corresponding instance folder.

Create a Backup of Standalone Database Instance(s)

To create a successful backup:

• Back up Config Server SQL standalone database (if applicable).

• Back up all standalone server database instances (if applicable).

For each database you want to include in the backup:

1. Take note of the database name in the SQL Server properties for Lasernet Config service dialog.

2. Open the SQL Management Studio application.

3. Select the corresponding Lasernet Config database and create a backup.

4. Select the corresponding Lasernet Job databases and create a backup.

Restart Services

Restart the Lasernet 10 services first, then the Lasernet Config 10 to continue using Lasernet as normal.

Backup complete

The copied folders and databases can be used as backups when necessary.