Data Backup

[Jim Campi]

Gentlemen,

I inadvertently deleted all of the project files on the LS. Thankfully I copy point files to my pc shortly after collection.

A few questions:

1. J-Field has backup and restore functionality. It appears that we can restore with several options (all data, tags and codes, all projects, coordinate system favorites, settings or one project only). If I choose all data, will firmware or other operating system files be restored to the version in place at the time of backup? I'm guessing that this is user data only but want to make sure I won't revert to older system files.

2. This could have been a serious problem if I had left an important project on the LS without copying the data to my PC. Do any of you have a backup schedule you regularly follow? Is it possible to configure an automated backup schedule? The ultimate solution would be for the LS to backup on a routine schedule with the option to save to a PC (all of which occurs in the background). This would allow full restoration in the event that the hardware was incapacitated or otherwise unavailable.

Thoughts?

 

[Matt Johnson]

Software and firmware only gets reinstalled during a Factory Recovery. Backup and Restore is only for user data.

We don't have automatic scheduled backup options because it can be a time consuming process to create a backup so it is best for the user to decide when to create a backup than to have it be automatic.

 

[Jim Campi]

Got it. Thanks Matt.

 

[Shawn Billings]

I use Archive Project. When I finish a job, I create an archive of that job and put it on my computer, which then gets backed up with all of my other computer files. The project archive creates a compressed folder of the project that includes the all files in the project: raw data, screen captures, images, as well as the project database itself and an ascii file that I believe contains all Txt/CSV options (so you have every detail about your points in this ascii export). I also export a pdf file of the project. These two files go into my project folder on my pc that has all of my dwg files, coordinate files, raw data files from other data collectors, scan documents, etc.


If I ever need to return to a project, I can copy that archive over and unpack it and it is as if I never removed it. I tend to keep my projects on the LS anyway, but if I lost it all I could put them back, one at a time as needed.

 

[Jim Frame]

Michael G. asked me to do a complete backup and send him a link to the zip file. When I do a backup from the Files screen to my USB stick, I don't get a zip file, just a date-coded folder with a bunch of subfolders. I zipped up the date-coded folder myself, but I'm wondering: is the LS supposed to zip it for me?

 

[Adam]

Michael G. asked me to do a complete backup and send him a link to the zip file. When I do a backup from the Files screen to my USB stick, I don't get a zip file, just a date-coded folder with a bunch of subfolders. I zipped up the date-coded folder myself, but I'm wondering: is the LS supposed to zip it for me?

Yes, you should get the already zipped file.

 

[Matt Johnson]

You need to check the "Create Zip Archive" option when creating the backup to do this.

 

[Jim Frame]

You need to check the "Create Zip Archive" option when creating the backup to do this.

Oops, I missed that checkbox. Got it now.

Thanks!

 

[Jim Campi]

When I finish a job, I create an arch I tend to keep my projects on the LS anyway, but if I lost it all I could put them back, one at a time as needed.

I prefer to keep as my projects on the LS as well. As memory is utilized and we are within 10-20% of max storage capacity, is system performance impacted?

***+Side bar****
I noticed about a year or so ago that the calendar has become far less efficient. It places a filled circle (although I haven't used it quite some time and could be mistaken on the the icon) on each day survey data was collected. This was outstanding. The callemdar had subsequently added a circle if the file was modified or simply opened.

Is there a way for me modify settings such that files are shown on the callemdar when created rather than modifiers or even opened?

 

[Mikhail Drakin]

Jim, please upload a project archive demonstrating the calendar problem (i.e. a project, for which a date in calendar screen is hilited when nothing was created). The calendar should hilite only dates when a point, line, trajectory, raw file, screenshot or any other object was created, not when it was modified or opened. We need to investigate the issue.

 

[Eugene Aksyonov]

Gentlemen,

I inadvertently deleted all of the project files on the LS. Thankfully I copy point files to my pc shortly after collection.

A few questions:

1. J-Field has backup and restore functionality. It appears that we can restore with several options (all data, tags and codes, all projects, coordinate system favorites, settings or one project only). If I choose all data, will firmware or other operating system files be restored to the version in place at the time of backup? I'm guessing that this is user data only but want to make sure I won't revert to older system files.

2. This could have been a serious problem if I had left an important project on the LS without copying the data to my PC. Do any of you have a backup schedule you regularly follow? Is it possible to configure an automated backup schedule? The ultimate solution would be for the LS to backup on a routine schedule with the option to save to a PC (all of which occurs in the background). This would allow full restoration in the event that the hardware was incapacitated or otherwise unavailable.

Thoughts?

Hello, Jim!
We have "restore point" functionality supported in LS. It recovers all significant data along with user data. Nevertheless the firmware related to Radio Modems, Power Board can't be recovered even if you use Recovery SD card. So you have to run Software Update to check/upgrade their versions.
Every time you do "Software Updates" from Support creeen you have an ability to create "Restore Point" which is off by default via time consuming:

If you say "Yes" on the screen above a new backup will be created and stored into "VS Backup" folder on your microSD card inserted into LS.
By default it will not be packed to zip file, but you can select it from Seftware Update Settings to save space:

To recall a restore point you should hold "Home" button pre ssed while JField application is running. Boot manager will show "Choose Restore Point" screen where you can select required restore point named by DateTime formatted string(2017-07-09-23-59-20). On click the restore point LS will recover saved files from folder.

If you open SD card on PC you can see that restore points and backup them to single Zip file either. but don't change folder's structure under main "DateTime" named folders.
Also be aware that we show on the screen only two recently stored "Restore Points" while SD card keeps all.
Any feedback suggestions are welcome, of course!
Regards,

 

[Jim Campi]

Jim, please upload a project archive demonstrating the calendar problem (i.e. a project, for which a date in calendar screen is hilited when nothing was created). The calendar should hilite only dates when a point, line, trajectory, raw file, screenshot or any other object was created, not when it was modified or opened. We need to investigate the issue.

Apparently I didn't do this. It's almost midnight on the west coast (PST). I accessed a file surveyed a few days ago and it's showing I surveyed tomorrow. Apparently the calendar describes days the file was accessed and the time is calculated based on a time zone an hour or more ahead of me. How do I get the file to you - post here?

 

[Matt Johnson]

Do you have the local time on your LS set correctly? You should be able to post the project archive here.

 

[Jim Campi]

File attached.

Time was about 11:15 pm on the LS's home screen. I will check the setting as well.

 

[Mikhail Drakin]

Jim, please use Files > Archive Current Project command to create a ZIP file with project data (you can uncheck all image & raw data options to keep the file smaller) and post it here. The TXT file is not enough to see what's happening.