3.13 Working with PlateSpin Recon Snapshots

PlateSpin Recon snapshots (*.prs files) contain data about machines, raters, report templates, generated reports, projects, scenarios, and server templates exported by other instances of PlateSpin Recon, or from the current instance as a backup.

You can also import snapshots exported from previous versions of PlateSpin Recon. In this case, a snapshot upgrade is performed before the data is brought into PlateSpin Recon. There are some things to watch for:

You can import a snapshot either into the default Local site, or into a new local site.

3.13.1 Exporting a PlateSpin Recon Snapshot

  1. Right-click in the Data Center Explorer and select Sites > Export Snapshot.

    The Export Site Snapshot dialog box is displayed.

  2. Select export objects to include in the snapshot by enabling the check box next to the objects.

    When a report template is included in the snapshot, its generated reports can also be included. Similarly, if a project is included in the snapshot, its scenarios can be included.

  3. Click Next.

    If you selected to export Machines as part of the snapshot, the Step 1b dialog box is displayed.

    Figure 3-11 Export Site Snapshot: Step 1b Dialog Box

    Otherwise, proceed to Step 2.

  4. Select summary options for the data to be exported, such as a data range time frame and whether to include Logs and/or Credentials.

  5. Click Next.

    The Step 2 dialog box is displayed.

    Figure 3-12 Export Site Snapshot: Step 2 Dialog Box

  6. Enter the UNC (\\<server>\<path>\<filename>) or file path (C:\<folder>\<filename>) where you want to save the snapshot. You can also click Browse to select a location.

  7. Select or create the appropriate credentials to access the location where you want to save the exported snapshot. You need write permission to this location.

  8. Choose whether to Compress or Encrypt the file. For an encrypted snapshot file, specify and confirm a password for decryption.

  9. Click Next.

    The Step 3 dialog box is displayed.

    Figure 3-13 Export Site Snapshot: Step 3 Dialog Box

  10. If you want the snapshot delivered to a network and/or FTP location after it is exported, select a Delivery Type. To configure the delivery method options, click the option button next to the selected delivery method. If you are unsure of the delivery configurations, check with your System Administrator.

    The file path must be accessible to the PlateSpin Recon Server.

    You can specify whether to delete the source snapshot after it is delivered by enabling the Delete Source File After Delivery check box.

    You can also specify whether you want the snapshot delivered now, later, or on a recurring schedule.

  11. Click Export.

    The data snapshot is ready for importing into another instance of PlateSpin Recon.

3.13.2 Importing a PlateSpin Recon Snapshot

  1. Determine the type of local site (the default local site or a new local site) you want to import the required snapshot into. To import into a new local site, you need to create the site before importing the snapshot.

  2. In the Data Center Explorer, right-click the target local site and select Sites > Import Snapshot.

    The Import Site Snapshot dialog box is displayed.

    Figure 3-14 Import Site Snapshot Dialog Box

  3. Type the UNC or Local File Path of where the snapshot you want to import is located, or click Browse to find it.

  4. Select or add the Credentials needed to access the location.

  5. If the file was encrypted on export, type the Snapshot Password to decrypt it.

  6. Click Next.

    The Step 2 dialog box is displayed.

    Figure 3-15 Import Site Snapshot: Step 2 Dialog Box

  7. Enable the check boxes next to the Import objects you want to import.

  8. Click Next.

    If the imported objects include Machines with monitoring data, the Step 2b dialog box is displayed. Otherwise, proceed to Step 2.

    Figure 3-16 Import Site Snapshot: Step 2b Dialog Box

  9. Specify the data options for the machines filter.

  10. Click Next.

    The Step 3 dialog box is displayed.

  11. Use the drop-down list to select the target site for the imported data.

  12. Click Import.

    After the data is imported, work with it using the Data Center Explorer under the Sites node.