Backup Desktop Agent for Windows Version 5.33.2010 Release Notes, March 3rd, 2006 _______________________________________________________________ =============================================================== Contents 1 Overview 1.1 Release History and Changes 2 Features 3 Fixes 4 Known Issues 5 Installation Notes 5.1 Installation Requirements 5.2 Conditional Requirements 5.3 Installation Files 5.4 Licensing 5.5 Install/Uninstall Procedure 5.6 Configuration 6 Product Support 6.1 Technical Support 6.2 Product Updates 6.3 Documentation 7 Legal Information _______________________________________________________________ =============================================================== 1 OVERVIEW This document contains release notes for the latest release of the Desktop Agent for Windows. The Desktop Agent is supported on: · Windows 2000 Professional (SP4) · Windows XP Home (SP2) · Windows XP Professional (SP2) Desktop Agent is supported by a version 4.2 vault, or greater. It comes with a 30-day trial version of OTM. This release has been verified as compatible with Microsoft’s .NET Framework 1.1 as well as 2.0. This release incorporates improvements to the 5.33 Windows Agent with regards to high bandwidth communications. --------------------------------------------------------------- 1.1 Release History and Changes for Desktop Agent version 5.30 June 29th, 2005 - First release, version 5.30.1852 (beta) July 27th, 2005 - Third release, version 5.30.1873 March 3rd, 2006 - Fourth release, version 5.33.2010 _______________________________________________________________ =============================================================== 2 FEATURES 2.1 Each desktop or laptop PC has the Desktop Agent program installed. The Agent runs as a background service, but it also has a Graphical User Interface that the user interacts with. The Desktop Agent is responsible for automatically starting and running the backup across the network, to the vault. Once this has been set up (configured), it runs unattended, sending your data to a remote vault where it is safe and recoverable. --------------------------------------------------------------- 2.2 The Agent GUI allows the user to set schedules for backups, choose what to backup and perform restores if necessary. The user only runs the Agent GUI program when necessary, to perform these functions. --------------------------------------------------------------- 2.3 A laptop (or desktop) PC can only perform its backups when it is fully powered on, and connected to the network and the vault. If the connection is temporarily lost or dropped, the Agent will attempt to reconnect for up to an hour. If the PC is in "standby" or "hibernation" mode, the backup will start when the PC powers up. --------------------------------------------------------------- 2.4 Backups can be encrypted so that no one else can access the data. --------------------------------------------------------------- 2.5 Each backup is a full backup, so you can recover a full backup (or one or more files or directories) at any time. The first backup transmits everything, but the second and following ones only send the changed (deltized) data. This is still a full backup. --------------------------------------------------------------- 2.6 Any open files can be safely backed up with the help of an optional program, Open Transaction Manager (OTM). --------------------------------------------------------------- 2.7 Overwrite/Rename option. On a Restore, the user has more choices instead of a simple Yes/No to overwriting files: "Rename files being restored"; "Rename files on my PC"; and "Overwrite existing files on my PC"; or "Restore files to a different location on my PC". With Renaming, the files are appended with an additional extension (.0001, etc.). --------------------------------------------------------------- 2.8 Configuration Files Security. The directories where the program files and configuration files are stored are locked down to prevent reading and writing by non-privileged users. The only users/groups with permissions are Administrators, BackupOperators, and LocalSystem. --------------------------------------------------------------- 2.9 The GUI has been modified and enhanced, with better workflows and usability. --------------------------------------------------------------- 2.10 The Desktop Agent supports backing up the Windows System State. --------------------------------------------------------------- 2.11 If the user is running the Desktop Agent under an "Administrator" account, they are not required to enter a local Administrator username and password for local authentication. It is passed to the Desktop Agent automatically. --------------------------------------------------------------- 2.12 If the primary Windows XP account has no password, the Desktop Agent will still work properly. _______________________________________________________________ =============================================================== 3 FIXES DTS#6335: BRTP issue with high bandwidth, high latency connections transmissions. High bandwidth transmission has been enhanced in this release. _______________________________________________________________ =============================================================== 4 KNOWN ISSUES 4.1 The Desktop Agent is designed to be used exclusively on a desktop or laptop computer or workstation. It is NOT intended for servers, which use an Agent, controlled by a Agent Console program. If you are changing or upgrading the Agent from a previous version you must uninstall that previous Agent version before installing the new Desktop Agent. If you save the tasks (Jobs) previously created by Agent Console with the new Desktop Agent, the Job’s settings will be updated to the default values of the Desktop Agent. If this occurs, then your next backup may be a full re-seed rather than a delta backup. --------------------------------------------------------------- 4.2 As the parameters available within Agent Console and the new Desktop Agent are different, control and configuration of a Desktop Agent's Jobs must be done exclusively by either: 1. the Desktop Agent GUI or, 2. the Agent Console program. --------------------------------------------------------------- 4.3 When starting a backup with OTM enabled, if you remain on the 'Manage Jobs' screen, the message "Active: OTM starting (x seconds...)" is displayed. This continues (as if a quiescent wait is not being achieved - continuing). Once you leave the 'Manage Jobs' screen, the Job will continue and succeed. In the Desktop Agent switch to a different screen (Job Status) to let the job succeed. --------------------------------------------------------------- 4.4 DTS#5130 You may be able to uninstall the DA when there is a pending request for a reboot after system state restore. This will cause it to hang with a "blue screen". _______________________________________________________________ =============================================================== 5 INSTALLATION NOTES 5.1 Installation Requirements This Agent is supported on the following platforms: OS - Windows 2000 Professional (SP4) - Windows XP Home (SP2) - Windows XP Professional (SP2) * A minimum of an Intel 80486 or 100% compatible processor (Pentium 200 or faster recommended). * Video properties of 16-bit (or greater) for optimum GUI display * At least 30MB of available disk space. But, each backup requires free space, depending on the amount of data you want to backup. * 64MB of RAM recommended * A TCP/IP stack (for communicating with the Vault and the Agent Console software) * Optionally, Open Transaction Manager (OTM) 1.22.211 (OTM is a product of Columbia Data Products. * Director version 4.20 or greater. * The installation is in a directory called “Backup” by default, but the user can change this. * If the installation detects a previous Agent with the same version, on the machine, it will ask if you want to Repair, Modify or Uninstall. * If the installation detects an older version of the Agent (4.2 or greater) it will stop and request the user to upgrade. * The installation requires Administrator, Backup Operator or LocalSystem rights to be able to install the applications. --------------------------------------------------------------- 5.2 Conditional Requirements The Desktop Agent is designed to be used exclusively on a desktop or laptop computer. It is not intended for servers, which use a Windows Agent, controlled by a Agent Console program. --------------------------------------------------------------- 5.3 Installation Files The following files are installed by the Agent installation kit: * Agent software * Online help files * Release notes (this document) * OTM (optional) .NET is Microsoft’s “Framework” for certain network applications. If the installed machine does not have the .NET Framework on it, the installation will terminate. --------------------------------------------------------------- 5.4 Licensing The Agent does not require a license to function properly; however, to back up to and restore data from a Data Protection Vault, a valid account, username and password are required. Contact your Service Provider to obtain the required information. --------------------------------------------------------------- 5.5 Install/Uninstall Procedure All products have appropriate installation guides (section 4 of the Desktop User Guide) which can be viewed using a Web browser at: http://www.Charter-Business.com/Charter+Business+Backup+Help.aspx --------------------------------------------------------------- 5.6 Configuration The Desktop Agent software includes a GUI which is used for configuring, monitoring and maintaining the Agent. A User Guide and Helps are included with the Desktop Agent. _______________________________________________________________ =============================================================== 6 PRODUCT SUPPORT 6.1 Technical Support Complete contact information for your provider is available under the Help Support menu. --------------------------------------------------------------- 6.2 Product Updates Product updates are available from your provider's web site. --------------------------------------------------------------- 6.3 Documentation The documentation available for the Agent is as follows: The Desktop Agent User's Guide The Desktop Agent Release Notes (this document) All documentation is available at the following location on the Charter Business site: http://www.Charter-Business.com/Charter+Business+Backup+Help.aspx _______________________________________________________________ =============================================================== 7 LEGAL INFORMATION Software License Agreement - Agent Software This legal document is an agreement between you, the end user, and the licensor (herein referred to as "licensor"). BY INSTALLING THIS AGENT SOFTWARE PRODUCT, YOU ARE CONSENTING TO BE BOUND BY THIS AGREEMENT. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO ALL OF THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT, UNINSTALL THIS PRODUCT AND RETURN IT TO THE PLACE OF PURCHASE FOR A FULL REFUND. AGENT FOR WINDOWS SOFTWARE LICENSE 1. GRANT OF LICENSE. In consideration of your payment of the license price to an authorized Dealer, as Licensor, grants to you, the Licensee, a non-exclusive right to use and display this copy of the Agent software program (hereinafter the "Software") on specific computer(s) at your location(s). The licensor reserves all rights not expressly granted to Licensee. If you have not paid a license fee for the Software, then the licensor grants to you the right to use the Software ONLY for evaluation or educational purposes. This latter grant specifically excludes production use of the Software. 2. OWNERSHIP OF SOFTWARE. As the Licensee, you own the magnetic or other physical media on which the software is originally or subsequently recorded or fixed, but the licensor retains title and ownership of the Software recorded on the original media and all subsequent copies of the Software, regardless of the form or media in or on which the original and other copies may exist. This license is not a sale of the original Software or any copy. 3. COPY RESTRICTION. This Software and the accompanying written materials are copyrighted. Unauthorized copying of the Software, including Software that has been modified, merged, or included with other software, or of the written materials is expressly forbidden. You may be held legally responsible for any copyright infringement that is caused or encouraged by your failure to abide by the terms of this license. 4. USE RESTRICTIONS. You may not modify, adapt, translate, reverse engineer, decompile, disassemble, or create derivative works based on the Software. You may not modify, adapt, translate, or create derivative works based on the written materials without the prior consent of the licensor. 5. TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS. This Software is licensed only to you, the Licensee, and may not be transferred to anyone without prior written consent of the licensor. Any authorized transferee of the Software shall be bound by the terms and conditions of this agreement. In no event may you transfer, assign, rent, lease, sell, or otherwise dispose of the Software on a temporary or permanent basis as expressly provided herein. 6. TERMINATION. This license is effective until terminated. This license will terminate automatically without notice from the licensor if you fail to comply with any provision of this license. Upon termination you shall destroy the written materials and all copies of the Software, including modified copies, if any, and certify in writing that all copies have been destroyed. 7. WARRANTY AND MAINTENANCE. The licensor warrants the Software to perform substantially in accordance with the User Documentation, as amended from time to time, and will maintain, modify, repair or replace the Software during the ninety (90) day warranty period, at no additional cost to the Licensee. The licensor does not warrant that the use of the Software will be uninterrupted or error free. The licensor will provide Support Services to customers that have paid the qualifying support fee. The Support Services include product maintenance and shall entitle the customer to; telephone support for troubleshooting, user guidance, and problem corrections and all product fixes and new minor releases via a World Wide Web site. 8. INDEMNIFICATION. Licensor will defend at its own expense any action against Licensee brought by a third party to the extent that the action is based upon a claim that the Licensed Software infringes any U.S. copyrights or misappropriates any trade secrets recognized as such under the Uniform Trade Secret law, and Licensor will pay those costs and damages finally awarded against Licensee in any such action that are specifically attributable to such claim or those costs and damages agreed to in a monetary settlement of such action. The foregoing obligations are conditioned on Licensee notifying Licensor promptly in writing of such action, Licensee giving Licensor sole control of the defense thereof and any related settlement negotiations, and Licensee cooperating and, at Licensor's request and expense, assisting in such defense. 9. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. Subject to paragraph 8, the licensor, nor any authorized Vault Service Provider of the Software, will not be liable for any damages including any loss of data, profits or savings, claims against Licensee by any other party or any other incidental or consequential damages arising out of Licensee's use of, or inability to use the software, even if the licensor (or such Dealer) is advised of the possibility of such damage. Subject to paragraph 8 above, the Licensee agrees that the licensor's (or such Dealer's) liability under this License shall not exceed the License fees paid by the Licensee for the software licensed hereunder. 10. MISCELLANEOUS. This agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Delaware and venue in any suit arising hereunder shall be Wilmington, Delaware USA. Should you have any questions regarding this Agreement, please contact us in writing at the address shown in your software license agreement. _______________________________________________________________ ===============================================================