Retrospect Backups for Faculty and Academic Staff

Academic Computing provides a semi-automatic backup service for faculty and academic staff. The purpose of this backup system is to restore computer files on your hard drive in the event of a catastrophic disk failure, computer theft, or other source of major data loss. It is not intended as an option for permanently archiving your data.

Once your computer is registered with our backup service, you can simply leave it turned on and your files will be backed up by the server. Backups are set to run 24/7, so your computer will be backed up (if on) when the service identifies that it is available. One can expect to be backed up at least once every 3-4 days, provided one's computer is left on overnight and backups are not deferred. Laptop user should occasionally leave their computer overnight (turned on, and connected to the wired network) to facilitate a current back-up.

If you find that you cannot work while your computer is being backed up, you can click the defer button to postpone the backup, but your computer will then be put at the end of the list of computers ready to back up.

Due to space considerations, we can only backup document files. We do not archive application software, operating system configurations, image files, audio or video files. Specifically, Retrospect will back up the following: On the Windows PC, it will back up all files and directories in your "Documents and Settings" folder , specifically your eudora mail folder, the desktop and your My Documents folder, except for files with the following extensions: .jpg, .jpeg, .mov, .dv, .mp3, .mp4, .tif, .tiff, .exe, .dmg, .sit, .hqx, .app, .avi, aiff, .qt, and .rm. On the Macintosh, it will backup all files and directories in your user home directory, with the same exceptions as Windows computers. We will also back up a My Work folder, which you can use to store critical files, that would normally be excluded by these rules. Mail and Endnote files are specifically included in the backup set.

Keep your own backups of multimedia files--as well as current personal backups of any important work. If you need retrospect installed on your computer, would like any assistance making sure essential files are backed up, or if you have questions about the backup process, please contact your liaison.

If you believe your computer is not being properly backed up, please follow these steps:

1. Make sure your computer is turned on in your office and is not set to sleep.
2. Make sure your system is connected to the network via an Ethernet cable to your wall jack. Computers connected via wireless networking will not be backed up.
3. Make sure the settings for your Windows Firewall allow Retrospect to access your system.
4. Send ACC the IP address for your computer. From the wired computer in your office, use Eudora (or another popmail client) to email helpdesk@haverford.edu. Please put "Retrospect" in the subject line. The message should state when your system will be in your office and connected to the wired network. Please include the last date you received a backup.
   
   Note that this email must be sent from your office, as this will allow us to get the IP number from your office machine. If you use Webmail or Squirrelmail, please just send us your office machine IP number.

If your system is not backed up within a week of sending of an email request please notify your liaison.