Frequently Asked Questions

backup operations (1)
How do I stage a large online backup to my white label online backup server?
How do I pre-populate a large backup set (stage a backup set) to the server to avoid a lengthy initial upload process?

Question: How do I pre-populate a large backup set (stage a backup set) to the server to avoid a lengthy initial upload process?


Answer: In summary, the backup must be run on a windows machine using the WholeSaleBackup client, so finding a windows machine with the best bandwidth to the server is key.

Detailed Howto:
  1. Determine the bandwidth of the client to the server versus the bandwidth of your machine to the server. Let's say you have a windows machine on the same 1G intranet as the server versus a client with a 2MB upload speed, then using the windows machine will be much faster. If your client has 2MB upload, and your server is virtual and you have 3MB upload speeds from your facility, you will see a ⅓ improvement in upload time, so it might not be worth doing the stage. The machine with the good bandwidth we'll call the "staging machine"
  2. Copy the files to be backed up from the source machine onto a USB drive or some other way to get them to the staging machine, and mount them/attach them to the staging machine.
  3. Install the WholesaleBackup Software on the staging machine, taking care to use the account-name and password that you will eventually use for the source machine.
  4. Backup the data from the staging machine to the server using that client.
  5. When the backup is complete, install the software on the source machine and use the same username and password that you used in step 3. This will reset the license to the source machine from the staging machine.
  6. Set up the backup set and schedule normally.


When the first backup happens from the source machine, the de-duping capabilities built into the WholesaleBackup Software will determine that all of those files were already placed into the account, and it will re-link the source machine files to those existing files on the server instead of transferring the files. If any files have changed from the staged backup, those files will be sent in full, so this backup may be larger than a normal differential backup.
network (1)
What ports must be open for the WholesaleBackup Windows Client

WholesaleBackup uses TCP port 22 outbound using the ssh protocol for data and commands, TCP port 80 (http) for administration functions, and TCP port 9001 for new account registration.  Your computer and firewall should allow TCP traffic outbound on all these ports and if you use a firewall with deep packet inspection enabled, it must conform to Internet RFC specifications otherwise it may cause problems with your backups and restores.

security (2)
How do I enable a local firewall on my backup server

su                              # be sure I have root (administrative) privs

ufw enable                 # enable local firewall

ufw allow 22/tcp        # backup/restore

ufw allow 80/tcp        # help + IP and load-balance quering

ufw allow 9001/tcp    # new account registration

ufw allow 9595/tcp    # support web-portal

Encryption

Q: How secure is my data?

A: Your data is extremely secure. Your data is encrypted using AES-256 bit encryption using your encryption key before it leaves your computer. The data is then transmitted over AES-128 bit encrypted channels for its transit over the Internet to our servers. Your files are then stored in encrypted form in high security facilities. 

Q: What kind of encryption is used?

A: Your data is encrypted using AES-256 bit encryption and it is additionally transmitted over the Internet on an AES-128 bit encrypted tunnel, so your data is extremely secure.  AES-256 is the method used by US banks and the Federal Reserve Board for financial transactions.  AES is the only public cipher approved by the National Security Agency (NSA) for top secret information; in June 2003 the NSA approved the use of AES-128 for data classified as SECRET and AES-256 for data classified as TOP SECRET. 

Q: Can anyone access my files?

A. Your encrypted files are only accessable by you (and anyone you have given your username and password to) and a few of our employees.  Your encryption key password is required to view the actual content of your files and you should keep it safe and secure in a safe place.  For your safety, your files are seperate from all other users backups (i.e. we do not de-dupe across users).

Q: Where is my data stored?

A. Your data is stored on state-of-the-art file servers in secure data centers with advanced security measures and backup power, redundant Internet connections, etc.

Q: What happens if I forget my encryption password?

A. If you selected the option "Securely backup this program's encryption key" in our client software then we can help you recover your encryption password after verifying your identity.  If you lose your password and have not selected this option then your data is NOT restorable.   We encourage you to select the "Securely backup this program's encryption key" option unless you are subject to specific regulations which preclude this.  Nevertheless, we encourage you to securely document your encryption password and to use a secondary offsite backup solution as well.