Terminology
Describes the basic terms, which are used in this manual.

 

Click on a term:

 

  • Backup

    • We use the term backup to mean "make a separate copy of backup files, compress them, and put them into a backup archive".

    There are two types of backups:
    1. Full: All source files will be added into a backup archive
    2. Incremental: Only new files, or those changed from a previous backup will be added into an archive. It saves time required for a backup.

  • Backup files

    • a collection of the important files, folders, and registry entries you have selected to backup. Sometimes we call them source files

  • Backup archive

    • a file that contains your documents; files and special information to get an exact copy of the backup files any time you need it. WestNet Backup uses a standard ZIP format for backup archives. Usually you have to store your backup archives offsite from the computer where your backup files are located.

  • Backup storage

    • a zip archive, removable disks, CD-R/CD-RW/DVD or MO, FTP Servers and local or remote Tape Units. In other words, backup storage is a place that you use to store your backup archives. Ideally it must be safe, fast and be outside of your computer location.

  • Backup Set

    • a collection of source files, backup storage, and parameters, which control the backup process. After defining the Backup Set, you can run backup, restore, copy, or other processes.

  • Catalog file

    • A small file with a compressed list of the files backed up in a backup archive. Each backup archive has such file. It's not encrypted, but the compression is not standard. That's why without special tools, nobody is able to read these files. A Catalog file has ".cat" extension.

  • WestNet Backup information files

    • Files from this group contain information about Backup sets, your customized options, and so on. Here is a list of these file:

    1. DIRS.DAT - contains all Backup sets.
    2. FILETYPE.DAT - contains a list of all extensions
    3. HOTKEYS.DAT - contains hot keys to allow quick access to commands (shortcut keys)
    4. VARS.DAT - contains WestNet Backup variables
    5. CONF.DAT - WestNet Backup's encrypted configuration
    6. pubring.pkr and secring.skr - files with your PGP keys

  • Restore

    • WestNet Backup uses the term restore to describe the process of coping files from a backup archive to a disk, and applying all file information (attributes, security, ...) to give an exact copy of source files.

  • Repair information

    • A compressed file in a special format that contains:

    1. WestNet Backup information files
    2. Catalog files of all Backup Sets

    It used to prepare WestNet Backup to restore your files after disaster.

  • Tree of Backup Sets

    • The tree of all existing Backup Sets. You can find it at the left docked panel of WestNet Backup Explorer window.

  • UNC Path

    • UNC (universal naming convention) path is a naming convention for folders and files which provides a machine-independent means of locating the folder or file. A UNC name will usually include a reference to a shared folder accessible over a network rather than specifying a drive letter and path. For example, to access a folder with Mark's images on a shared directory named Images on the computer called MarkWorkStation, you could use the UNC name \\MarkWorkStation\Images\. WestNet Backup uses UNC paths to backup network (shared) files without mapping network drive.