Backup and Restore FAQ

• How can I backup my data within the Commit system?
• Can I backup Commit using external tools?
• Which folders should be backed up?
• How do I restore a backup?

How can I backup my data within the Commit system?

When using the Commit system, users can perform a partial backup, which backs up the Commit database only, or a full backup, which saves the entire Commit system.

Commit comes with a special utility to back up the Commit databases (providing a partial-backup which saves the the database only). To access this backup utility, go to Tools > Backup menu, and follow the steps. This process will back up the database files that are located in the <server>\Commit\Db and <server>\Commit\DbSys folders.

Note: This backup creates a zip file in the <server>\Commit\Utils folder that contains Commit-specific files only. It does not back up your linked documents, which should be backed up separately.

We also recommend that users occasionally perform a full backup, which saves the entire Commit server folder and all its subfolders. This type of backup must be done using external tools. A full backup will enable you to restore the files much faster should you need to do so in an emergency situation.

It is recommended to copy the backup file to another hard disk, computer, or media.

Can I backup Commit using external tools?

Yes. It is recommended to back up the entire Commit server folder and all its subfolders on occasion. This will enable you to restore the files much faster should you need to do so. Any backup utility/program should work, such as the standard tape backup, zip, rar, etc.

Note: Make sure that no one is using Commit during a full backup.

Which folders should be backed up?

Back up all folders under <server>\Commit. The most important folders are called “Commit\Db” and “Commit\DbSys,” which is where all Commit-specific data is stored. You should also back up all your documents.

How do I restore a backup?

You can restore the Commit system using the partial-backup files (database only) or the full-backup files.

To restore the full system using full-backup files:
To restore from a full backup (i.e. a backup file which includes the Commit folder and all sub-folders), please follow these instructions. This includes restoring the files and installing any services if they were used.

Commit will now be ready for use at the exact point when the backup was done.

To restore the full system using a partial-backup (database-only) files:

1. Download and install a fresh trial version of Commit. Make sure to use the exact same version as you have been using until now, otherwise there will be version mismatch when restoring the database.
2. Install it to the original path where Commit was installed on your server originally.
3. Run the Commit application once (use any user as this is a fresh setup)
4. Close the CommitCRM session.
5. Rename the <server>\Commit\Db folder to <server>\Commit\Db-Not-In-Use.
6. Rename the <server>\Commit\DbSys folder to <server>\Commit\DbSys-Not-In-Use.
7. From the backup, copy the \Commit\Db and \Commit\DbSys folders to <server>\Commit\Db and <server>\Commit\DbSys.

Commit will now be ready for use at the exact point when the backup was done.

To restore from a backup only in order to revert changes in the database:
Should you need to restore a backup to revert changes, your current Commit installation can still be used. You just need to replace the database files.

To restore a partial backup:

1. Rename the <server>\Commit\Db folder to Db-Not-In-Use.
2. Rename the <server>\Commit\DbSys folder to DbSys-Not-In-Use.
3. From the backup-file, copy the Db and DbSys folders to <server>\Commit\Db and <server>\Commit\DbSys.

Commit will now be ready for use at the exact point when the backup was done.