Initiate a backup on demand

Although Connected performs frequent backups for continuous data protection, there are times you might want to protect files ahead of schedule. Starting with Agent version 4.9.0, you can also initiate backups interactively and through the Agent's command line.

Interactive backups are an easy way to protect your files sooner than scheduled. For example, if the next backup is in 10 minutes, but you want to protect recent file changes before making new ones, you can start a backup on demand. You can also initiate backups through the Agent's command line on a regular or as-needed basis to protect the files of others. For example, you can install a script on each user's computer that initiates a backup before every shutdown, or you can deploy a script to a specific user that starts a backup if their Agent has not performed one in a while.

Here is a list of points to consider when initiating backups:

  • Interactive backup

    • You can initiate a backup only if one is not currently in progress.

      The option to start a backup on demand is available only if the Agent is not currently backing up files. To determine the Agent's current activity, point to the Connected icon (green square with the white letters "CMX") in the notification area (Windows) or menu bar (macOS).

    • If you initiate a backup while the Agent is restoring files, the backup starts when the restore completes.

    • The Agent displays a notification at the start and end of the backup unless you have turned off the Agent's desktop notifications.

  • Command-line

    • You can initiate a backup at any time.

      The following list describes how the Agent handles a backup request, depending on its current status:

      • Idle. The Agent initiates a backup.

      • Backing up files. The Agent ignores the request.

      • Scanning files. The Agent backs up all files currently pending backup and any additional files the scan finds while the backup is running. If the Agent is still scanning when the backup completes, any additional files the scan finds are backed up during the scheduled backup.

      • Restoring files. The Agent starts the backup when the restore completes.

      • Not running. The Agent starts, performs the backup, and then continues to run when backup completes. Subsequent backups occur according to schedule.

    • The Agent does not display any notifications at the start or end of the backup.

To initiate a backup interactively

  • Right-click the Connected icon (green square with the white letters "CMX"), and then click Back up now.

To initiate a backup through the command line

  • Issue one of the following commands through a custom script or other site-specific deployment method:

    • Windows 

      "C:\Program Files\Connected\ConnectedSystemTrayUI.exe" /backupnow

    • macOS 

      open -n "/Applications/Connected/Connected.app" --args --backupnow