Pre/Post data capture commands in Cloud Backup

This Cloud Backup option enables you to define the commands that will be automatically executed before and after data capture.

Data Capture refers to the process of taking the data snapshot of your backups, which is performed at the beginning of the backup procedure.

The illustration below shows when the pre/post data capture command is executed.

The commands’ execution and the Microsoft Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) actions will be sequenced as follows, if the VSS option is enabled:

“Before data capture” commands -> VSS Suspend -> Data capture -> VSS Resume -> "After data capture" commands.

You can suspend and resume a database or application that is not compatible with VSS using the pre/post data capture commands. The database or application idle time will be minimal because the data capture only takes seconds.

Enabling Pre-data Capture Command

Here’s how to specify a command/batch file to be executed before data capture:

1. Access the Cloud Backup Console.
2. Click Devices on the left menu bar to open the list of all computers/devices connected to the Cloud Backup.
3. Select the computer/device you want to back up, then click Backup on the right menu bar to open a New backup plan template.
4. Click on the Gear icon to open a list of Backup options and click Pre-post data capture commands.
5. Under Execute a command before the data capture, click Yes to enable switch.
6. In the Command or batch file path on the machine with an agent field, type a command or browse to a batch file.

   Note: The Cloud Backup program does not support interactive commands, such as commands which require user input like "pause".

7. In the Working directory field, specify a directory path where the command/batch file will be executed.
8. In the Arguments field, specify your command’s execution arguments, if required.
9. Select the appropriate options as described in the table below depending on the results you want to obtain, then click DONE.

SELECTION	RESULT
If both check boxes are selected. (Preset)	The data capture will be performed only after the command is successfully executed and will fail if the command execution failed. If the exit code is not equal to zero, a command is considered failed.
If only “Do not perform the data capture until the command execution is complete” option is selected.	The data capture will be performed after the command is executed despite execution failure or success.
If only the “Fail the backup if the command execution fails” option is selected.	This option is not applicable.
If both check boxes are deselected.	The data capture will be performed concurrently with the command execution regardless of the command execution result.

Congratulations! You have successfully enabled pre-data capture command in Cloud Backup.

Enabling Post-data Capture Command

Here’s how to specify a command/batch file to be executed after data capture:

1. Access the Cloud Backup Console.
2. Click Devices on the left menu bar to open the list of all computers/devices connected to the Cloud Backup.
3. Select the computer/device you want to back up, then click Backup on the right menu bar to open a New backup plan template.
4. Click on the Gear icon to open a list of Backup options and click Pre-post data capture commands.
5. Under Execute a command after the data capture, click Yes to enable switch.
6. In the Command or batch file path on the machine with an agent field, type a command or browse to a batch file.

   Note: The Cloud Backup program does not support interactive commands, such as commands which require user input like "pause".

7. In the Working directory field, specify a directory path where the command/batch file will be executed.
8. In the Arguments field, specify your command’s execution arguments, if required.
9. Select the appropriate options as described in the table below depending on the results you want to obtain, then click DONE.

SELECTION	RESULT
If both check boxes are selected. (Preset)	The data capture command for the backup will continue only after the command is successfully executed. If the exit code is not equal to zero, a command is considered failed.
If only “Do not back up until the command execution is complete” option is selected.	The data capture command for the backup will continue after the command is executed despite execution failure or success.
If only the “Fail the backup if the command execution fails” option is selected.	This option is not applicable.
If both check boxes are deselected.	The data capture command for the backup will continue concurrently with the command execution regardless of the command execution result.

Congratulations! You have successfully enabled post-data capture command in Cloud Backup.