Backup

Pointsharp ID features a backup function which makes it possible to back up the configuration files, license and encryption keys. It is also possible to backup all users in a Pointsharp ID Storage.

User backup

Backing up users is considered advanced and should only be done by an experienced Pointsharp ID administrator.
Backing up users can take a considerable amount of time. The system is unresponsive during the backup. This has to be taken into consideration in a production environment.

The users reside in the “Pointsharp Storage”. This is normally located in an Organizational Unit on the Active Directory Server. Due to this it is often not needed to include users in a backup if only configuration is to be restored.

Backup of users is normally only needed if the users will be moved to a new location or if using a local AD LDS on the ID Server itself, and it is about to be reinstalled and the local AD LDS instance to be removed.

If the Pointsharp Storage, where the users reside, is not to be changed/moved – then users are not needed to be included in the backup. It is sufficient with only configurational backup. Say No when asked to include users.

Backup the Pointsharp ID installation:

  1. Start Pointsharp ID Admin GUI as an administrator.

  2. On the General tab, click the Stop button to stop Pointsharp ID.

  3. Start Windows Services and stop World Wide Web Publishing Service.

  4. Open the File menu in Pointsharp ID Admin GUI.

  5. Select Backup.

  6. Click Yes in the Do you want to backup?-dialog.

  7. Select a filename and safe location to store the backup in the Where do you want to save the backup file?-dialog.

  8. Click Save.

  9. The backup process asks if backup is to be performed for all Pointsharp ID users as well. Note that this might be a quite time-consuming activity since it will store all the Pointsharp Storage entries to file. Click Yes if users shall be backed up as well, but first make sure to read and understand User backup.

  10. Click OK to finish the backup.

  11. On the General tab, make sure Restart Web Services is checked, then click the Restart button.

Now a full backup is performed containing the entire configuration file, encryption key and the license file. In the selected location, there will now be a zip file named psid-backup-{date-of-backup}.