Glossary of Terms


Activity Log

(DS-Client and DS-System) A log that records the activities on the DS-Client or DS-System.

Add-On Product

After-market accessories that are installed to a Customer's DS-Client by their service provider.

Audit Trail

A log that records all of the changes made to the DS-System database.

Backup Schedule

A Backup Schedule is composed of a set of Details that indicate when unattended (automatic) backups are to be performed.

For example: You may wish to back up weekly, and back up on a specific day (such as the last Friday of every month). To do so, simply create one detail for the weekly backup, and a second detail for the monthly backup.

Backup Schedule Detail

Each Detail is a description of a specific date/time pattern when to perform a backup. You may add as many details to a Backup Schedule, as are required. Each Detail refers to a specific backup circumstance (e.g. "Occurs every 2 week(s) on Friday, at 18:00 PM").

Backup Set

A list of the items (directories, files, and applications) you wish to back up from your computer (or network). A Backup Set includes information about how these items will be backed up (Backup Options), and when they will be backed up (Backup Schedule).

Backup sets are created through the DS-User program.

Customer

Customers are the end-users of the Asigra Cloud Backup™ service. Each Customer has an Account set up with a service provider, and can have one or more DS-Clients.

Common File

See "Library File".

Configuration

See "DS-Client Configuration".

Cookies

The DS-Client Registration process also saves encryption key cookies (meaningless data encrypted with DS-Client keys) that the DS-System validates on each connection attempt. This prevents a DS-Client from connecting to the DS-System with changed or corrupted encryption keys.

Daily Admin.

A DS-Client process that performs a verification of backup sets, and (if configured) transfers a dump of the DS-Client database to the DS-System.

Deactivate (Reactivate)

DS-System: Service Providers may deactivate DS-Client Accounts, when they are no longer needed (e.g. if a customer cancels service). Deactivated DS-Clients may be reactivated during this period.

Delta File

A backed up file on the DS-System, which contains only the binary changes that occurred since the previous backup of that file.

Demand Backup

A DS-User utility that allows users to backup a set immediately (as opposed to waiting for it to run at a scheduled time).

Digital Signature

A standard feature applied to all backup files. Asigra Cloud Backup™ automatically creates, attaches and stores a unique digital signature for each backup file. During restore processes, the signature of the restored file is compared with the signature that was generated at backup time. If they match, this confirms a 'carbon-copy' restore of the file that was backed up.

Disaster Restore

A process to restore a large amount of backup data that is coordinated between the DS-Client LAN Administrator and the Service Provider. The restore is performed via direct (or LAN) connection to Disc/Tape media brought to the recovery site.

DS-Client

Service Provider: A machine located at the customer's site, running the DS-Client Service software. Each DS-Client has a unique number, assigned by the DS-System. Customers are invoiced for each DS-Client.

Customer: ASIGRA's proprietary software, designed to perform unattended and demand backups and selective restoration of a user's specified files. The DS-Client software runs as a service on Windows Platforms, and as a daemon on Linux Platforms.

It serves as a gateway to the DS-System: User data tagged for backup (see "Backup Set") flows through the DS-Client, where it is compressed, encrypted and sent to the DS-System for storage.

DS-Client Configuration

Each DS-Client must be configured with certain information necessary for connection to, and validation with the DS-System.

DS-Client Registration

During the first activity between the DS-Client and DS-System, the DS-Client is registered with the DS-System. In this process, the DS-Client sends a unique key identifier (based on the operating system and hardware configuration of the DS-Client computer), which is used in the dial-up and verification process.

This registration is an added security step, whereby the DS-System will only accept communication from that registered installation of the DS-Client. (i.e. You cannot copy the DS-Client software from one machine to another and use it as if it were the same machine.)

DS-Delta

DS-Delta is a proprietary storage scheme, developed by ASIGRA Inc. This storage method saves one original ("master") file to the DS-System. All subsequent backups will send only the binary changes that have occurred to the original file.

DS-Library

DS-Library is a technology that helps to reduce file transmission sizes, thereby reducing required storage space, while increasing backup speeds. All backup items are scanned to determine whether duplicate copies already exist online. If duplicates exist, then the file is saved as a common or library file, meaning that only a link (less than 1K) is saved, rather than the entire file.

Library files are saved to the DS-Client Library, the Customer Library, or the Public Library, depending on where the duplication occurs.

Files that are common to the same DS-Client will be saved in encrypted format in the DS-Client Library (e.g. proprietary development files). Files that are common to the same customer account, but saved via different DS-Client will be saved in encrypted format in the Customer Library (e.g. common organization files, such as phone lists). Files that are common to different customers will be saved to the Public Library (e.g. common word processing application files).

DS-Operator GUI

The application software intended to run on workstations networked with the DS-System. It is used to remotely administer and monitor DS-System activity, as well as print reports.

DS-System

An integration of hardware and software, which runs the DS-System software, and where the Customer's backup data is stored. The DS-System is usually located at a Service Provider's secure, offsite location.

DS-System Hardware

The hardware on which the DS-System software is meant to run, including a disk sub-system where the Customer's physical backup data is stored. The DS-System is meant to be located at the Service Provider's vault location.

DS-System Software

The application software and files that run as a service on the DS-System.

DS-User

DS-User is the customers' end user software, designed to run on their PCs or network workstations. The DS-User application is the interface that permits customers to identify the files and directories that will be backed up using Asigra Cloud Backup™.

Event Log

(DS-Client and DS-System) A log that displays the error, warning and information messages that occurred during activities for the period selected.

Generation

Indicates the version of a file kept Online. Each file generation reflects the changes that occurred to a file from one backup to the next. No new generations will be saved for files that have not changed. Generations are rotated, once the maximum limit specified has been reached.

Initial Backup

The Initial Backup feature allows your customers to backup directly to local buffer location(s), or at LAN speed. Then, they ship that media (e.g. disks) to the DS-System location. You (the Service Provider) will attach the media to the DS-System (or LAN) and import the Initial Backup data. Once it is imported to the DS-System, your customers can continue protecting their data with subsequent scheduled and on-demand backups.

Library File

A backed up file on the DS-System, which contains multiple instances in various backup sets. Only one copy of this file is stored (in the appropriate DS-System library directory), and a small link is saved for each recurring library file (rather than the entire file).

Lock (Unlock)

DS-System: Refers to the locking of a customer account (or individual DS-Client account). Customer data will remain on the DS-System, however no connections from any of the customer's DS-Clients will be permitted until the account is unlocked. This feature is intended for use when account payment is in arrears.

Master File

A backed up file on the DS-System, which contains the full data for that file (i.e. it is not a Delta file).

Notifications

See DS-Client notifications.

Online Storage

Online storage provides fast access to data, usually stored on disk.

Permission

[DS-Client] Permissions are granted by the owner of a backup set to other DS-Client users. Different permissions are available for the backup set (i.e. Backup, Restore, Modify, Delete), and they may be granted individually, or in combination.

Registration

During the first activity between the DS-Client and DS-System, the DS-Client is registered with the DS-System. In this process, the DS-Client sends a unique key identifier (based on the operating system and hardware configuration of the DS-Client computer), which is used in the dial-up and verification process.

This registration is an added security step, whereby the DS-System will only accept communication from the registered installation of the DS-Client. (i.e. You cannot copy the DS-Client software from one machine to another and use it as if it were the same machine.)

Referral (Referral Partner)

A Referral (Referral Partner) is a third party that you (the Service Provider) have contracted to sell Asigra Cloud Backup™ Services on your behalf, mainly through the generation of leads.

Scheduled Backup

[DS-Client] A backup that runs automatically, according to the Backup Schedule used.

Service Charge

Additional services offered by Asigra Cloud Backup™ providers that can be used by DS-Clients.

Service Provider

A Service Provider is an organization that will host the DS-System, resell Asigra Cloud Backup™ services to its established customers, as well as seek out new customers. The Service Provider supplies the DS-System hardware, manages the DS-System and customer accounts, and provides front-line customer support.

Synchronization

A process between the DS-Client and DS-System, where the DS-Client backup database logs are compared with the actual storage on the DS-System. Synchronization is initialized from the DS-Client side, either on demand (user-initiated) or initiated by the DS-Client Administrative Process.

Three types of synchronization can occur: Check Only, Normal, and DS-System Based.

"Check Only" will only verify if there are discrepancies between the DS-Client and DS-System.

"Normal" will compare and update where necessary, the DS-Client backup log with the DS-System's online storage information.

"DS-System Based" will update the entire DS-Client backup log with the DS-System's online storage information.

System Admin.

A weekly process used to count the number of files and file sizes, for each DS-Client. This information is used to generate invoices and other report information.

System Backup

A group of processes that generates a summary of all backup activities (and new library files) for the period beginning since the time that the DS-System was last started.

System Monitor

A DS-Operator utility that allows Administrators the ability to monitor the current DS-Client connections and activities on the DS-System.

VAR

A VAR (value added reseller) is an organization with sales representatives (or the sales division of the Service Provider's company) that sells and services Asigra Cloud Backup™ to customers. The VAR will sell, install and service Asigra Cloud Backup™ at the customers' locations.

Version

Different settings of the same item (e.g. Service Charges, Add-On Products, Commissions, Billing Scales, or Business Parameters) distinguished by Effective Date.

Weekly Admin.

A DS-Client process that performs all Daily Admin activities, and a low-level synchronization of backup sets.



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