Understanding the 'Source' and 'Destination'
SyncBackPro copies, moves and deletes digital files from one location to another. This helps you in your aim to prevent data loss.
To make the process of backing up simple to understand, we use the terms Source and Destination. The Source is a particular location and the Destination is a different location. In the example below, the Source is a workstation and the Destination is an external drive:
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You will create a Profile of both the Source and Destination, and define the Profile's actions (backup, synchronization, restore etc.).
You can also group profiles together so multiple actions occur, and then schedule these profiles to run automatically.
Backup
In the case of a simple backup operation, the Source is the place where files are copied from and the Destination is the place where files are copied to. For example, the Source could be the folder 'Your Computer Drive\My Documents\My Business Folder\' and the Destination could be a folder on an external USB drive 'My External Backup Drive\My Backup\My Business Folder\'.
SyncBackPro allows you to make choices about exactly what files are to be copied, moved, ignored or deleted during the backup, synchronization or restore process. You may decide, for example, to ignore certain files or folders when backing up. Therefore, it is not necessary to backup every file from the Source to the Destination.
When SyncBackPro first runs a backup, the program will copy all the files you require from the Source to the Destination. The next time you run the same backup task, SyncBackPro does not copy the unchanged files, but rather scans both the Source and Destination, notes what files have been changed and then asks you to confirm the action the program is about to take in the Differences Window. This makes subsequent backups a lot faster than the initial backup.
Synchronization
When it comes to Synchronization, viewing the source as a location where files are copied from is not accurate. Think of the source simply as a location, rather than as a location that always has a fixed task associated with it. The source can be thought of as the left side, and the destination as the right side.
In a synchronization operation for example, a file may be copied to the source rather than from the source, and at the same time another file may be copied to the destination. This may occur as you may have chosen options in SyncBackPro that request certain actions occur given certain criteria. For example, you may require that a file that is older on either the source or destination, must be replaced by the newer file (given they have the same name and file type).
As you can tell by the example above, synchronization is a more complex process than a backup process.
Mirror
Mirroring ensures that one drive (or folder) contains the same files as another drive (or folder). It is not the same as a backup because it deletes files (this means there are no 'orphaned' files in the destination). It is also not the same as synchronization because it only copies files in one direction.
Good data procedures
When you first use SyncBackPro, we advise you use the default options and simply backup, as this will prevent any unexpected and potentially unwanted actions to occur. As you become familiar with the program, you will begin to gain a deeper understanding of the Backup and Synchronization processes.
We have put many checks and warnings in place in order to prevent you from accidentally losing data. We make it very clear during the installation process that SyncBackPro is designed to be able to delete and replace files, so it must be used with caution. We also ensure the default options are set to safe settings that will reduce the possibility of unwanted data loss to a minimum.
Good data processing procedures dictate that any program is thoroughly tested with non-critical data before relying on it. SyncBackPro also features a Simulated Run feature that you will be able to ensure the program is processing data in the way you expect before making an actual run. A Simulated Run does not move, copy, or delete any files, but will show the differences window for you to fully review what will occur in the case of an actual run.
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