SIEM, Vulnerability Scanning, Server Monitoring and Compliance Training for IT Professionals
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File Collection and Retention Template

The File Collection and Retention template enables you to move files from one location to another then optionally delete files that have reached a threshold age in both the source and destination directories. This template can be used to backup database backups, configuration files and IIS log files.

The File Collection and Retention Template uses Windows Shares, SFTP or FTP/Sdepending on the host type to scan directories on Windows, Unix, Linux and other operating systems.

You can find a sample implementation of this template installed with this software called Corner Bowl Configuration File Backup. This template is an implementation of the File Collection and Retention template that executes a daily backup of this software's configuration files. The implementation targets *.dat files. The targeted files are compressed to a single zip file then stored for 30 days before being deleted.

How to configure the File Collection and Retention Template:

  • From the Menu Bar, select File | New. The Create New Object View displays.
  • From the Create New Object View, expand Templates | File and Directory Monitors then select File Collection and Retention. The New Template Properties View displays.
  • The Template Properties view contains 5 tabs.

The Options Tab

  • Use the Directories drop-down to select the directory to configure.
Note
Use the Files and Sub-Directories tab to specify the files and sub-directories to both target as well as exclude.
  • Use the Target output directory to specify the destination path. Use the Variables Variable Button button to select variables to use when creating the path. For example:
    c:\Backups\{YEAR}\{MONTH}\{DAY}\{HOST}
Important
If your are accessing the Console from the same machine the service is installed you can browse for the target location, otherwise specify the UNC path or local path on the host the service is installed.
  • Use the Output filename text box to specify the output filename. If no value is specified, the output filename is the name of the filename or if zipping to a single zip file the name of the target directory. Use the Variables Variable Button button to select variables to use when creating the filename. For example:
    {FILENAME}_{DATE}
  • Use the Move option to move the files from the target directory to the destination directory.
Important
If a Windows Service has the files locked, you can assign a Stop Service Action to the On Start Actions then add a corresponding Start Service Action to the On Complete Actions.
  • Use the Compress to ZIP format to compress each target file to a zip file.
  • Use the Compress to a single ZIP file to compress all target files to a single zip file.
  • Use the Encrypt option to encrypt and password protect each output file.
  • Use the Digitally sign option to specify a certificate and password to sign each output file.
  • Use the Delete files in the source directory option to delete files in the source directory older than a threshold number of days.
  • Use the Delete files in the destination directory option to delete files in the destination directory older than a threshold number of days.
File Collection and Retention Properties View
File Collection and Retention Properties View

Related Topics

SFTP

FTP/S

File and Directory Monitor Templates