**Index:**

[What is the Desktop Backup and Recovery Program?
1](#what-is-the-desktop-backup-and-recovery-program)

[What kinds of losses does Tivoli protect against?
1](#what-kinds-of-losses-does-tivoli-protect-against)

[Exactly which files and folders are backed-up?
2](#exactly-which-files-and-folders-are-backed-up)

[When do automated backups occur? 2](#when-do-automated-backups-occur)

[Is there anything I need to do to insure my computer will be backed-up?
2](#is-there-anything-i-need-to-do-to-insure-my-computer-will-be-backed-up)

[How do I know if Tivoli is working properly for me?
3](#how-do-i-know-if-tivoli-is-working-properly-for-me)

[What if I'm uncomfortable leaving my computer powered-on all night?
3](#what-if-im-uncomfortable-leaving-my-computer-powered-on-all-night)

[How long does the backup take? 3](#how-long-does-the-backup-take)

[What if I am working at the time the automated backup occurs?
4](#what-if-i-am-working-at-the-time-the-automated-backup-occurs)

[Can I schedule my automated backup?
4](#can-i-schedule-my-automated-backup)

[Will I get a prompt when an automated backup is about to occur?
4](#will-i-get-a-prompt-when-an-automated-backup-is-about-to-occur)

[Is classroom training for Tivoli available?
4](#is-classroom-training-for-tivoli-available)

[How can I get help with Tivoli or initiate restoration of computer data
files?
5](#how-can-i-get-help-with-tivoli-or-initiate-restoration-of-computer-data-files)

[What if I need to work on my laptop at home or I am on travel -- Will I
get backed-up?
5](#what-if-i-need-to-work-on-my-laptop-at-home-or-i-am-on-travel-will-i-get-backed-up)

[What is the best way to protect my data if I cannot use Tivoli for some
reason?
5](#what-is-the-best-way-to-protect-my-data-if-i-cannot-use-tivoli-for-some-reason)

[Where can I learn more about Tivoli?
6](#where-can-i-learn-more-about-tivoli)

# What is the Desktop Backup and Recovery Program?

NASA Headquarters computer users have access to a fully automated data
backup and recovery function for essential data and e-mail files. The
Desktop Backup and Recovery Program uses the Tivoli client to
periodically backup user data from both desktops and laptops to a
server. This will help prevent the loss of data from a hard drive
failure or other catastrophic error. A scheduled backup service runs
nightly from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. backing up selected files and folders for
Macintosh and Windows computers. Users working while an automated backup
is taking place should notice no significant change in system
performance.

# What kinds of losses does Tivoli protect against?

Tivoli protects users against system failure such as the loss of a hard
disk or the file system becoming so badly corrupted it cannot be read.
In some instances, it can also protect users from human error, such as
accidentally overwriting or deleting a file.

# Exactly which files and folders are backed-up?

In general, Tivoli backs up all files that are *not* program
(application) or system files. The files and folders backed-up include:

> **Windows XP computers:**

-   Local PST file (local e-mail file storage, messages and attachments)

-   My Documents

-   Documents stored outside of My Documents on the C: drive

-   Browser bookmarks

-   Desktop items

> **Macintosh computers:**

-   Entourage email file (local e-mail file storage, messages and
    attachments)

-   Contents of Documents folder

-   Documents stored outside of the Documents folder on your computer

-   Desktop items

-   Browser bookmarks

-   Keychains

-   Preferences

# When do automated backups occur?

Automated backups run every day, 7 days a week, between 6 p.m. and 6
a.m.. Scheduled backups are only completed for those computers that are
physically connected to the network and powered-on. If applications have
been left open (Outlook in particular) the backup may be halted before a
full capture is achieved.

# Is there anything I need to do to insure my computer will be backed-up?

Yes. Before you leave for the day, **Restart** your computer (without
logging in again) and leave your computer powered-on. Laptops need to be
physically connected to the NASA HQ wired network, which is accomplished
by leaving your laptop in the docking station.

It is also a good idea to periodically check that backups are occurring
as expected. Please see "How do I know if Tivoli is working properly for
me?"

# How do I know if Tivoli is working properly for me?

It's easy to determine when the last automated backup of your computer
occurred. You can also see the number of documents ("objects") that
failed to get backed up and a history of previous backups. Follow the
instructions below to see the log of automated backups that occurred on
your computer.

[Windows XP Users]{.underline}:

> Go to Start \| Programs \| Tivoli Storage Manager \| Desktop Recovery
> Status

[Macintosh Users]{.underline}:

> Go to Macintosh HD \| Applications \| Tivoli Storage Manager \|
> Desktop Recovery Status

If you get a message that there is "No record of a successful scheduled
backup," or if you cannot locate the Tivoli Desktop Recovery Status
screen or it is grayed-out, contact the [IT Help
Desk](https://www.odin.lmit.com/hq/hqhelpdesk.html) at (202) 358-HELP or
send an e-mail to
[mailto:service@hq.nasa.gov](mailto:service@hq.nasa.gov).

# What if I'm uncomfortable leaving my computer powered-on all night?

Most laptops and desktops have built-in "sleep" functions that
dramatically reduce the power drawn during periods of disuse. This makes
leaving computers powered-on for extended periods quite safe and also
reduces the carbon "footprint" of such machines. However, if you remain
uncomfortable leaving your computer powered-on all night every weekday
for whatever reason, you might consider doing so only one or two days a
week, as a compromise.

# How long does the backup take?

Backups may take anywhere from a few minutes to an hour depending on the
amount of data being backed up and the current server load.

Your very first backup will take longer than the others. Subsequent
backups will be considerably quicker as only the files that have changed
will be backed up. Not all files change every day.

# What if I am working at the time the automated backup occurs?

The backup will not affect your data; if a file is in use the system
will attempt to access it a predetermined number of times. If after this
it is still in use, the file will be left alone (i.e., not backed up).

If you are working during a backup, any of your open files are not
backed up.

The scheduled backup does not add much of an overhead on most systems.
If you are working when the backup takes place, you may notice some
system slowness.

Only the files backed up on your system will be capable of restoration
to your system; no one else will have access to your data. Only system
administrators will be able to restore your data.

You should not depend on this service as the only means for local hard
drive data protection.

# Can I schedule my automated backup?

No. Automated backups run every day, 7 days a week, between 6 p.m. and 6
a.m.. These backups are only completed for those computers that are
physically connected to the network and powered-on.

# Will I get a prompt when an automated backup is about to occur?

No. Tivoli operates in the background, and you should see very little,
if any, change in performance on your computer.

# Is classroom training for Tivoli available?

No. Other than leaving your computer powered-on at night and connected
to the HQ network, users do not need to do anything to ensure a
successful backup.

# How can I get help with Tivoli or initiate restoration of computer data files?

Contact the [IT Help Desk](https://www.odin.lmit.com/hq/hqhelpdesk.html)
at (202) 358-HELP or send an e-mail to <service@hq.nasa.gov>.

# What if I need to work on my laptop at home or I am on travel -- Will I get backed-up?

If you are not physically connected to the HQ wired network, you will
not be backed-up by Tivoli. Ideally, everyone at HQ would get backed-up
every day. Realistically, this will not be feasible for all users at all
times. If you work from home a lot, or will be on travel for an extended
period, make a special effort to leave your computer connected to the
network to be backed up once prior to leaving. Or, see "What is the best
way to protect my data if I cannot use Tivoli for some reason?"

# What is the best way to protect my data if I cannot use Tivoli for some reason? 

If for some reason you cannot use Tivoli, for example if you are on
travel, here is an alternative:

-   Regularly copy your data to removable media (CD or DVD) or external
    storage devices (USB drive).

-   Save all of your work to your User folder (T: drive) on the network,
    or to your organization's storage area (U: drive) on the network.
    You may have to log in to the network via Virtual Private Network
    (VPN) or Secure Nomadic Access (SNA) to do so, if you are not at HQ.
    Please see your Telecommuting Guide for assistance with VPN or SNA.

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-   Back up your local mail folders (PST file or Entourage database),
    Entrust Profile (if applicable), and Internet Favorites or Bookmarks
    to your User folder or to removable media.

The [User Resource Center](http://www.hq.nasa.gov/itcd/user_rc.html)
(Room CX45) can offer you guidance and instruction in how to take these
steps. Additionally, the [Computer Training
Center](http://www.hq.nasa.gov/itcd/ctc/index.html) (Room 3Q53) offers
deskside assistance in backup procedures beyond Tivoli. Contact the
Computer Training Center at 358-1111 or <ctc@hq.nasa.gov> to make an
appointment.

# Where can I learn more about Tivoli?

Visit the [Desktop Backup and Recovery Program Web
page](http://www.hq.nasa.gov/itcd/desktop_backup.html) for more
information on Tivoli and data backups.