User Data Import and Verify using APFMigration

NovaBACKUP xSP / Remote Workforce

The APFMigration function of the NovaBACKUP Storage Server allows you to scan the users data storage, and recreate the database entries for the stored data.

• CAUTION:
  • Make sure that you have a valid SQL Database backup before using this tool
  • If your user spans multiple storage locations then you will need to consolidate the userdata into a single (1) userdata folder (e.g - All to the same location) for this function to work.

Part 1 - Preparing the Storage Server and Data for import

• In the configuration manager, select the users account, and click "Remove"
• Uncheck the top 2 boxes in the window ("Delete the accounts data directory" and "Delete the accounts log files")
• In the section "Account Disposition" choose the option, "Permanently Delete Account" and Click "OK"
• Browse to the user's data folder and locate the file, "Cache.apf"
• Rename "Cache.apf" to "old_cache.apf"

Once the removal has completed and you've renamed the Cache file, you will need to re-add the account:

• Click "Add" under the Accounts tab
• Re-add the user account with the same username and password.  Make sure you choose the appropriate storage location you wish to use.
• On the client's machine, perform a single-file backup to the Storage Server on each drive:
• If the client has multiple drives being backed up (e.g. - backing up files from both a C: and D: drive) you will need to back up a single file from both C: and D:
• In the userdata folder you will see a new folder has been created identifying this machine as well as a new "Cache.apf" file
• Move or Copy all the data from the prior user folder (e.g. - Copy all contents of computer "1001" into the new computer "2001")

Part 2 - Import content to Storage Server (APFMigrate)

1. Open an Administrative Command Prompt
2. Navigate to the NovaBACKUP Storage Server directory
   • default is

     C:\Program Files\NovaBACKUP Storage Server\

3. Run the APFMigrate utility:

   • Backupserver.exe apfmigration -d -a -u -c

   • Command line switches:
     • -d = Data Directory
     • -a = APF file path
     • -u = Username on the Storage Server
     • -c = Connection to SQL Server 
       • You can copy and paste this from your BackupServer.ini file.
       • As of version 14.5 the Connection string is no longer required.

As an example:

Backupserver.exe apfmigration -d "C:\userdata\John" -a "c:\userdata\John\cache.apf" -u John

This process can take some time but once finished you should be able to run backups against the user's previous data.