How to Add Windows Server & Windows Endpoint for Backup

Add Windows Servers & Endpoints as Data Source for Backup using Manual Agent Installation

How-to Video: Add Windows Servers & Endpoints using Manual Agent Installation

In this video, we will guide you through the process of adding a Windows host (Both Windows Server and Windows Workstation/Endpoint) for backup.


Step-by-Step Instructions to Add Windows Servers & Endpoints using Manual Agent Installation

  1. First, open the BDRSuite backup server console. Enter the user name, password and click sign in. 
  2. Navigate to the 'Data Sources' menu and click on 'Servers & Endpoints'.
  3. Then, click on the 'Add Host' button and click the 'Windows' option to proceed.
  4. Choose 'Manual Agent Installation' and follow the steps below.

Manual Agent Installation - Overview

Manual agent installation is the default and recommended option for adding Windows machines as a data source for backup.
  • Mandatory Component: BDRSuite Backup Agent is a mandatory component to perform backup of Windows Servers and Windows Workstations/Endpoints

  • Port Usage: Utilizes port 32004. Ensure firewall outbound rules permit this port on the target Windows Server/Endpoint and inbound rules on the Backup Server

  • Installation Requirement: Must be installed on each Windows machine intended for backup

Step 1: Download BDRSuite Backup Agent

  1. To begin, click the download button and get the backup agent.
  2. Then, copy it to the target windows host you want to backup.

Step 2: Install Backup Agent on each Windows Machine you plan to backup

  1. You can find the backup agent installer file as BDRSuite Delegation Service
  2. Right click on the installer and click 'Install'
  3. Then, click 'Run' to proceed
  4. You'll see the welcome screen. Click 'Next' to continue the installation
  5. Read the agreement, choose 'I accept' and click 'Next'
  6. Following that, set a display name for your machine to identify the Windows host on the backup server. By default, it's the machine name, but you can change it if you prefer. Click 'Next'.
  7. Next, Enter the 'Backup Server DNS name or IP address' and click next. Once the backup agent is installed on the windows host, it will automatically connect to the backup server using these details.
  8. Choose the backup component based on the type of backup you need. BDRSuite offers flexible backup options for Windows machines.
    1. Files & Folders Backup: If you prefer to backup only specific files or folders from your Windows machine, then select the 'files & folders backup' option and click 'Next'. This will take you to the 'Review' screen
    2. Disk-Image Backup: If you prefer to back up the entire Windows machine including OS, applications and all data, then select the 'disk-image backup' option and click 'Next'. If you choose this option, you need to select the reboot preference on the next screen.
      1. Reboot Preference: A system reboot is required to complete the installation of the changed block tracking driver for disk image backups. You can choose to reboot the windows machine immediately or later after the backup agent installation. Note that without rebooting, you can only perform file and folder backups. Rebooting is necessary to enable disk image backups.
  9. Review the configuration and click 'Install'.
  10. Installation of Backup agent components will begin. This might take a few minutes.
  11. Lastly, Click 'Finish' to start the BDRSuite services. Backup agent is now successfully installed on your windows machine.

Step 3: Backup Agent establishes connection to Backup Server

  1. After successful installation, backup agent will automatically connect to the backup server using its IP address or DNS name provided during installation. This may take a few minutes.
  2. You can verify and manage the backup agent from the tray or services panel on your Windows machine. Backup agent will run as 'BDRSuite Delegation Service'. 
  3. Once the BDRSuite service starts running and establishes connection to the backup server, the Windows Server or Endpoint will be successfully listed on the 'Data Sources -> Servers & Endpoints' page on your backup server. 
  4. You can identify the Windows host using its IP address or the display name you configured and the status will be shown as 'Active'. You can then manage all Windows hosts from this page.

Step 4: Configure Backup 

Once the host is successfully listed as Data Sources, you can configure backup from the 'Backup -> Configure Backup -> Windows' menu and choose between 'Files & Folders Backup' or 'Disk-Image Backup'

Troubleshooting 

If the backup agent is not able to connect to backup server, please ensure the following:
  1. Go to 'Run' and enter 'services.msc'. On the Windows Services panel, check the status of the 'BDRSuite Delegation Service' and see if it is 'Running'. 
  2. Make sure the port '32004' is permitted in outbound firewall rules on the target Windows Server/Endpoint.

Possible Issues When Adding a Windows Host

If you encounter any of the following issues while adding a Windows host, please don’t hesitate to contact our support team at bdr-support@vembu.com for assistance:

Error 117073: Host not found – Add host details in Data Sources menu.
Error 117074: Unable to connect to server – Specify correct backup server IP/DNS.
Error 117076: Incompatible BDS version – Ensure BDS matches or is lower than Server.
Error 117072: Duplicate BIOS UUID – Only hosts with unique BIOS UUID can be added.