Carbonite Support Knowledge Base

FAQ: What are Incremental and Differential Backups? For CSSB 6.x Enhanced

Incremental and Differential backups are the primary means by which the product reduces the size of backup runs after the Full Backup. Incremental and Differential backups are very similar, but have several key differences in how they function.

FAQ: What are Incremental and Differential Backups? For CSSB 5.x & 6.x Classic

Incremental and Differential backups are the primary means by which the product reduces the size of backup runs after the Full Backup. Incremental and Differential backups are very similar, but have several key differences in how they function.

Microsoft Database Applications and Multiple Backup Sources

Microsoft produces three database applications: SQL Server, Exchange, and SharePoint. Any given database within any of these database applications should only be backed up by one backup source. It is not recommended to back up the same database with multiple backup sources, unless all of the backup sources use full backups only. There is a great risk of backup failure and/or data loss if a database is backed up by multiple backup sources and incremental/differential backups are involved.

Microsoft Exchange Server Database Backup For CSSB 6.x Enhanced

The product supports full, incremental and differential backups of Microsoft Exchange Mailbox Databases and Public Folder Databases. CSSB performs VSS based backup of Store database files (.edb and .stm), transaction logs, and checkpoint files for all the Mounted Storage Groups.

Creating a Bare Metal Image Backup For CSSB 6.x Enhanced

A Bare Metal Image backup allows the restore of an entire system to a similar or dissimilar hardware.

Scheduling Your Backup For CSSB 6.x Enhanced

With Carbonite Safe Server Backup, you can schedule your backup to start at a specific time every day, every week, every month or every year. Creating a custom schedule will ensure that Carbonite does not use computer resources during select times of day.

Number of Successful Full Backups to Retain For CSSB 6.x Enhanced

A retention policy controls the period of time that a backup is kept. By default, Carbonite Safe Server Backup (CSSB) uses a cycle-based retention policy. A backup cycle is defined as a full backup and all associated incremental or differential backups. When a new full backup completes, the oldest excess backup cycle is removed within 24 hours. You can control how many old backup cycles to keep.

Message: "One or more of the VSS writers required for backup have failed"

If a VSS Writer's status is unstable while attempting to perform a backup, you will receive an error message stating Writers status is not stable. Try after restarting application Writer service.

Microsoft Exchange Server Database Backup (CSSB 5.x) For CSSB 5.x & 6.x Classic

The product supports full, incremental and differential backups of Microsoft Exchange Mailbox Databases and Public Folder Databases. CSSB performs VSS based backup of Store database files (.edb and .stm), transaction logs, and checkpoint files for all the Mounted Storage Groups.

Hyper-V Backup For CSSB 6.x Enhanced

Hyper-V is Microsoft's virtualization host. It allows users to create, run, and manage virtual machines. Carbonite Safe Server Backup (CSSB) supports backup and restore of virtual machines hosted by Hyper-V server installations on Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2016. Hyper-V backups support full backups on Windows Server 2008 and higher. Incremental backups are supported on Windows Server 2008 R2 and higher. Differential backups are not supported on any platform. CSSB is able to take snapshots of files located on network shares configured with the SMB3 protocol.

Storage Quota Exceeded for Carbonite Safe Server Backup (6.x) For CSSB 6.x Enhanced

To stop receiving this error, you must purchase additional storage, update the retention settings, or delete some data from the cloud.

Retention Policy Best Practices

A retention policy controls the period of time that a backup is kept. The product allows users to choose their own retention policy. This article outlines the best practices for retention policies and explains some of the common problems that occur when these best practices are not followed.

Storage Quota Exceeded for Carbonite Safe Server Backup (5.x) For CSSB 5.x & 6.x Classic

To stop receiving this error, you must purchase additional storage, update the retention settings, or delete some data from the cloud.

Hyper-V Backup For CSSB 5.x & 6.x Classic

Hyper-V is Microsoft's virtualization host. It allows users to create, run, and manage virtual machines. Carbonite Safe Server Backup (CSSB) supports backup and restore of virtual machines hosted by Hyper-V server installations on Windows Server 2008, Windows Server 2012 and Windows Server 2016. Hyper-V backups support Full backups on Windows Server 2008 and higher. Incremental backups are supported on Windows Server 2008 R2 and higher. Differential backups are not supported on any platform. CSSB is able to take snapshots of files located on network shares configured with the SMB3 protocol.

Windows File System Backup For CSSB 6.x Enhanced

The product can perform full, differential and incremental backups of Windows NTFS and ReFS file systems. When backing up an NTFS or ReFS file system, you can select directories and files from a browser tree.

Microsoft Exchange Local Mailbox Backup

The product supports backup of Exchange Local Mailboxes. The product supports Full and Incremental backups of Exchange Mailboxes. Differential backups are not supported. An Exchange Local Mailbox backup allows users to select one or more mailboxes from a local Exchange server for backup and restore, including an individual mailbox.

MailStore Archive Backup For CSSB 6.x Enhanced

MailStore Server is a leading solution for email archiving, management, and compliance for small and medium-sized businesses. The product can be configured to back up and restore your MailStore Server archives.

Restoring the Windows File System For CSSB 6.x Enhanced

For Windows File System restores there are a lot of options to allow the user to have just the right control and flexibility while restoring data. You can restore your files to the original backed up computer or to a different computer.

Oracle Server Backup For CSSB 5.x & 6.x Classic

Oracle backup types will no longer be supported in version 6.2 and higher.

Microsoft Exchange Online hosted for Office 365 Backup

The product supports backup of Exchange Online hosted for Office365. The product supports Full and Incremental backups of Exchange Online. Differential backups are not supported. An Exchange Online hosted for Office 365 backup allows users to select one or more mailboxes from an Exchange Online server for backup and restore, including an individual mailbox. Exchange Online is part of Microsoft Office 365.

Windows File System Backup For CSSB 5.x & 6.x Classic

The product can perform full, differential and incremental backups of Windows NTFS and ReFS file systems. When backing up an NTFS or ReFS file system, you can select directories and files from a browser tree.

Getting Started with Carbonite Safe Server Backup For CSSB 6.x Enhanced

Administrators can be invited to join the company through the Dashboard. Once they are invited, they will receive an email with instructions on how to complete the registration. After launching Carbonite Safe Server Backup for the first time, you will be able to configure your backup set by selecting what, where, how, when and for how long you would like to back up. CSSB supports the backup of NTFS file systems, ReFS file systems, Windows system state, Microsoft SharePoint, Microsoft Exchange server, SQL server, MySQL server, Oracle server, Hyper-V hosts and hosted virtual machines, and Bare Metal images. Carbonite Safe Server Backup supports full, differential and incremental backups. Whether you are restoring your data to the original backed up computer or to a different computer, Carbonite Safe Server Backup makes the process quick and easy.

Carbonite Safe Server Backup Release Notes For CSSB 6.x Enhanced

Carbonite Safe Server Backup is continually updated to address issues that may impact how you use the product.

Microsoft SQL Server Backup For CSSB 5.x & 6.x Classic

Users can perform VDI-based backups of a specific database on a specific SQL server instance. Full, Differential, and Incremental (Log) backups are supported.

Microsoft SQL Server Backup For CSSB 6.x Enhanced

Users can perform VDI-based backups of a specific database on a specific SQL server instance. Full, Differential, and Incremental (Log) backups are supported.

Best Practices for Customers with Low Bandwidth For CSSB 6.x Enhanced

For customers whose backups will take a very long time due to low bandwidth, large amounts of data, or both, extra precautions should be taken to ensure that backups function as smoothly as possible. Customers can adhere to certain best practices designed to make very large, long-running backups easier and more likely to complete on time.

How to Start a New Backup with CSSB For CSSB 6.x Enhanced

You can start a new backup with CSSB at any time. Within the Backup Details page, click the Backup Now button and follow the on-screen instructions.

The Backup Details Page For CSSB 6.x Enhanced

The Backup Details page displays information about the status of your backup, the amount of data backed up locally and to the cloud, the date and time of your most recent backup, detailed information about your backup runs, and the history of your restore and deleted backup runs.

Deleting CSSB Backup Data For CSSB 6.x Enhanced

As a best practice, one should always set a Retention Policy that best suits their business needs. Data that meets its Retention Policy is automatically removed from the cloud, providing lower costs and easier quota management. A user can also delete data manually from the cloud for any reason.

Backup Set Options For CSSB 6.x Enhanced

While on the Backup Details page, you can validate, delete, clone or disable backup sets

Creating a Backup Set For CSSB 6.x Enhanced

After launching the product for the first time, you are given the choice to create a new backup set. A backup set defines the parameters for backing up a group of directories or an application. You will be able to configure your backup set by selecting what, where, how, when and for how long you want to back up.

Restoring a Microsoft SQL Server For CSSB 6.x Enhanced

Microsoft SQL Server backups can be restored to the original computer or to a different computer.

Message: "An Operation Failed Unexpectedly" For CSSB 6.x Enhanced

In certain scenarios, an operation in CSSB may fail with a very simple error message that simply says <Operation> failed or The <Operation> failed unexpectedly. The <Operation> may be a backup, upload, download, or restore. The two most common reasons for this error message can be attributed to a system being rebooted or powered off and one or more of CSSB's services or processes crashing.

Message: "An Operation Failed Unexpectedly" For CSSB 5.x & 6.x Classic