3.6 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. You need to consider the following:

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

3.6.1 Exporting a PlateSpin Recon Snapshot

  1. Right-click in the Data Center Explorer, click Sites, then click Export Snapshot.

    The Export Site Snapshot Wizard is displayed.

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

    NOTE:Even though you can choose to export the Citrix XenServer object, the object will not be included in the snapshot because exporting snapshot of Citrix XenServer is not supported.

    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, continue with Step 4; else, skip to Step 6.

  4. In the Step 1b dialog box, select summary options for the data to be exported, such as a data range time frame and whether to include Logs or Credentials.

    Export Site Snapshot: Step 1b Dialog Box
  5. Click Next.

    The Step 2 dialog box is displayed.

    Export Site Snapshot: Step 2 Dialog Box
  6. Specify the filename for the exported snapshot:

    1. Specify the UNC (\\<server>\<path>\<filename>) or file path (drive:\directory\filename) where you want to save the snapshot. You can also click Browse to browse for and select a location

    2. 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.

    3. Choose whether to Compress the file.

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

  7. Click Next.

    The Step 3 dialog box is displayed.

    Export Site Snapshot: Step 3 Dialog Box
  8. Configure the snapshot delivery type and the delivery schedule:

    1. If you want the snapshot delivered to a network 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.

    2. (Optional) If you want to delete the source snapshot after it is delivered, select the Delete Source File After Delivery check box.

    3. Configure the schedule when you want the snapshot to be delivered.

      • To immediately deliver the snapshot, select Now.

      • To deliver the snapshot at a later time, select one of the following schedules

  9. Click Export.

    The data snapshot is ready to be imported into another instance of PlateSpin Recon.

3.6.2 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, click Sites, then click Import Snapshot.

    Or

    Right-click in the Data Center Explorer, click Sites, then click Import Snapshot.

    The Import Site Snapshot Wizard is displayed.

    Import Site Snapshot Dialog Box
  3. In the Step 1 dialog box, configure the following:

    1. Specify or click Browse to browse for and select the UNC or the local file path of the snapshot you want to import.

    2. Select or add the credentials needed to access the location.

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

  4. Click Next.

    The Step 2 dialog box is displayed.

    Import Site Snapshot: Step 2 Dialog Box
  5. Select the check boxes next to the objects you want to import.

  6. Click Next.

    If the imported objects include machines with monitoring data, the Step 2b dialog box is displayed. Otherwise, proceed to Step 9.

    Import Site Snapshot: Step 2b Dialog Box
  7. Specify the data options for the machines filter.

  8. Click Next.

    The Step 3 dialog box is displayed.

  9. In the Import to Site drop-down list, select the target site you want to import the required snapshot into.

  10. Click Import.

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