Backup Agent Overview

Backup Agent Installation Methods

1. Manual Agent Installation (Recommended for small deployments): This is the default and recommended method for environments with a small number of Windows machines. You need to download and install the backup agent manually on each Windows machine you plan to backup.
   
2. Bulk Agent Installation (Recommended for large deployments): For large-scale environments, bulk agent installation is the optimal choice. This method facilitates the deployment of backup agents across numerous Windows Servers and Workstations efficiently. You can use AD GPO and RMM tools to facilitate the bulk installation process.
   
3. Automatic Agent Installation (Only for Windows Servers): In this method, the backup server will automatically install the backup agent on the target Windows machines. Please ensure there is network connectivity between the backup server and the machines you plan to backup. Additionally, you will need the machine credentials with administrative privileges.
   

Choosing the right backup installation method

Regardless of whether your machines are in local network or remote network, here’s how to decide which installation method to use: 

1. If your machines are connected to Microsoft Active Directory (AD), you can use the AD GPO bulk installation method for efficient deployment.
   
2. If you have access to Remote Monitoring and Management (RMM) tools, you can choose the bulk installation using RMM tool. 
   
3. If neither option is available, proceed with Manual Agent Installation on each machine.
   

Method 1: Manual Agent Installation  

1. Log in to the BDRSuite backup server console. Navigate to the 'Data Sources' menu and click on 'Servers & Endpoints'.
   
2. Then, click on the 'Add Host' button and click the 'Windows' option to proceed.
   
3. Choose 'Manual Agent Installation'.
   
4. Click the download button and get the backup agent. Then, copy it to the target windows host you want 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 'Files & Folders Backup' and click 'Next'. This will take you to the 'Review' screen.
   
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.
    

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.
   
5. Once the host is successfully listed as Data Sources, you can configure backup from the 'Backup -> Configure Backup -> Windows' menu.
   

Method 2: Bulk Agent Installation  

Bulk Deployment Options

1. Deploy MSI and MST File through AD GPO - This method involves creating an MST file using the Orca tool, then deploying the generated MST file and downloaded MSI file through AD GPO. For step-by-step detailed instructions, refer KB: 115216
   
2. Deploy PowerShell file through AD GPO - This method involves creating a PowerShell script or batch script file using the MSI silent installation commands and deploying it using AD GPO. For step-by-step detailed instructions, refer KB: 115217
   

1. AD/LDAP Server Selection:  If the AD/LDAP Server is already added then choose it from the drop down menu. If not, navigate to the 'Infrastructure -> AD/LDAP Server' menu and add your server first. For detailed instructions, click here.
   
2. Filter Criteria: You can use the filter option to display only the hosts based on filter criteria such as All Organizational units or Domain Controllers (Criteria). The hosts can be filtered by the following options. Once selected, click 'Next'.
   
1. Selecting a criteria
   
2. Selecting a criteria and entering a distinguished name.
   
3. Entering a distinguished name without selecting a criteria. Here, enter the distinguished name of the host to be added as a data source. 
   
3. Host Selection: All the machines that are running in the AD will be listed here on this page. You can either select the entire host or just the machines based on the applied filter and click on Add. This will take you to the page where you need to add/select the credentials and also choose how you want to install the backup agent to the host such as Manual or Automatic Agent Installation. Upon selection, you can follow the steps listed on this article for each installation method.
   
4. After selecting the hosts, they will appear on the page along with the option to search for hosts by name. Information such as the credential name, Backup agent installation type, and the option to edit credentials or installation types as needed are also available. In case you want to remove the added hosts you can do the same by selecting the respective host’s checkbox and click on the remove button.
   
5. Now, you can click on Save and Ok, Proceed.
   
6. You should receive a confirmation message indicating that the host has been successfully added upon the completion of the backup agent installation.
   
7. The Windows Server or Endpoint will then be listed on the Data Sources -> Servers & Endpoints page on your backup server. You can now configure backups from the Backup -> Configure Backup -> Windows menu. 
   

Method 3: Automatic Agent Installation

Prerequisites 

1. The Windows service 'BDRSuite Backup Server for Virtual and Physical Workloads' on the backup server machine should run under an administrator user account.
   
2. The backup server should have access to the Admin$ folder of the backup host.
   
3. Ensure that the Windows Management Instrumentation (WMI) service is running on the backup host.
   
4. Confirm that the Remote Registry service is active on the backup host.
   
5. Test remote connectivity to the backup host from the backup server using WBEMTest.
   

1. FQDN (Fully qualified domain name) - machine_name.domain_name
   
2. Hostname – Enter the Hostname alone
   
3. Hostname@Domain name – Enter the hostname followed by @ and domain name
   
4. Domain name/Hostname – Enter the domain name followed backslash (/) and the hostname
   
5. 192.xxx.xxx.xxx – Enter the IP address of the backup host
   

Note: If you have provided an invalid Hostname/IP address, the following alert message will be displayed “Unable to connect the remote Windows Machine. Please check network connection settings”

Note: If you want to receive email notifications only for any of the specific task status ( Success, Failed, Partial etc). then navigate to 'Reports -> Email Notification' menu to configure the same.