Configuring Backup Profiles

Overview: Backup Profiles in Backup Manager

Backup Profiles allow you to automate configuration backups of your network devices. Instead of manually backing up each device, create profiles that run automatically on a schedule.

Schedule Types Available:

Benefits of Scheduled Backups:

• Automation: No manual intervention required
• Consistency: Regular backups ensure protection
• Compliance: Meet audit requirements for backup frequency
• Change Detection: Get notified when configs change

Step 1: Navigate to Backup Profiles

Access the Backup Profiles page from the sidebar menu.

How to Access:

• Click on Settings in the sidebar to expand the submenu
• Click on Backup Profiles to open the page

Page Features:

• New Profile: Create a new backup schedule
• Refresh: Reload the profiles list
• Search: Find profiles by name
• Filters: Filter by schedule type or status
• Profiles Table: View all profiles with schedule details

Step 2: Create a New Profile

Click the "New Profile" button to create a backup schedule.

To Create a Profile:

• Click the New Profile button in the header
• A modal dialog opens with the profile configuration form

The Form Sections:

• Profile Information: Name and description
• Schedule Configuration: Type, time, and day
• Device Assignment: Select devices to backup

Step 3: Enter Profile Information

Give your profile a descriptive name and optional description.

Profile Name (required):

• Use a clear, descriptive name
• Include the schedule type or target devices
• Examples:
  • "Daily Core Switch Backup"
  • "Weekly All Devices"
  • "Monthly Firewall Backup"

Description (optional):

• Add details about the profile's purpose
• Document any special requirements
• Helpful for team members managing backups

Step 4: Configure Schedule Type

Select how often the backup should run.

Schedule Type Options:

• Once: Runs one time at the specified date/time
  • Good for pre-change backups
  • Profile can be re-enabled to run again
• Daily: Runs every day at the specified time
  • Best for critical infrastructure
  • Schedule during low-traffic hours
• Weekly: Runs once per week
  • Select which day of the week
  • Good balance of protection and resources
• Monthly: Runs once per month
  • Select which day of the month (1-28)
  • For stable, rarely-changed devices

Step 5: Set Backup Time

Choose what time the backup should run.

Time Selection:

• Select Hour (00-23, 24-hour format)
• Select Minute (00-59)
• Time is based on the server's timezone

Best Practices for Timing:

• Off-hours: Schedule during low-traffic periods (e.g., 02:00-05:00)
• Stagger schedules: Don't run all profiles at the same time
• Consider time zones: Account for different site locations
• Avoid peak hours: Backups use network and device resources

Example Schedule:

• Core switches: Daily at 02:00
• Access switches: Weekly on Sunday at 03:00
• Firewalls: Daily at 02:30

Step 6: Select Day (Weekly/Monthly)

For weekly and monthly schedules, select which day to run.

Weekly Schedule:

• Select the day of the week (Monday-Sunday)
• Common choice: Sunday (minimal business activity)
• Consider maintenance windows

Monthly Schedule:

• Select the day of the month (1-28)
• Days 29-31 are not available to ensure the backup runs every month
• Common choice: 1st or 15th of the month

Note: The day selector only appears for Weekly and Monthly schedule types.

Step 7: Assign Devices

Select which devices should be backed up by this profile.

Device Selection:

• Browse the list of all available devices
• Use the search box to find specific devices
• Check the box next to each device to include it
• The "devices selected" counter shows your selections

Selection Strategies:

• By criticality: Group critical devices in daily profiles
• By location: Create profiles per site or building
• By type: Separate profiles for switches, routers, firewalls
• By group: Use Device Groups to organize then select by group

Tip: A device can be in multiple profiles (e.g., daily and weekly).

Step 8: Enable and Save Profile

Set the profile status and save it.

Enabled Checkbox:

• Checked: Profile will run on schedule
• Unchecked: Profile is saved but won't run
• You can enable/disable profiles at any time

To Save:

• Review all settings
• Click Save Profile
• The profile appears in the table with "Next Run" time

After Saving:

• The scheduler picks up the new profile
• Backups run automatically at scheduled time
• Results appear in Backup History

Step 9: View and Manage Profiles

Monitor and manage your backup profiles from the main table.

Table Columns:

• Profile Name: Name of the backup profile
• Type: Once, Daily, Weekly, or Monthly
• Schedule: Day and time details
• Next Run: When the backup will next execute
• Devices: Number of devices in the profile
• Status: Enabled or Disabled
• Actions: Edit, Delete, Toggle buttons

Quick Actions:

• Toggle: Quickly enable/disable without editing
• Edit: Modify profile settings
• Delete: Remove the profile

Step 10: Edit or Delete Profiles

Modify existing profiles or remove ones you no longer need.

To Edit a Profile:

• Click the Edit button (pencil icon)
• Modify any settings in the form
• Click Save Profile to apply changes

To Delete a Profile:

• Click the Delete button (trash icon)
• Confirm the deletion
• Existing backup history is preserved

To Toggle Enable/Disable:

• Click the toggle switch in the Status column
• Or use the toggle button in Actions
• Disabled profiles won't run but settings are preserved

Best Practices for Backup Profiles

Scheduling Strategy:

• Critical devices: Daily backups
• Standard devices: Weekly backups
• Stable devices: Monthly backups
• Pre-change: One-time backup before maintenance

Timing Recommendations:

• Schedule during off-peak hours (02:00-05:00)
• Stagger profiles by 15-30 minutes
• Consider network bandwidth availability
• Account for device response times

Organization Tips:

• Use consistent naming conventions
• Document profile purposes in descriptions
• Review and update profiles quarterly
• Disable (don't delete) unused profiles

Monitoring:

• Check Backup Dashboard regularly for failures
• Enable email notifications for backup completion
• Review Backup Compliance reports
• Investigate devices that consistently fail