1.1.1Agent for Windows ......................................................................................................................................... 4
1.1.2Components for centralized management ................................................................................................... 5
1.1.4Bootable Media Builder .................................................................................................................................. 8
2.5 Installing the agent using Group Policy ...................................................................................22
2.5.1Preparing the agent's deployment .............................................................................................................. 22
2.5.2Setting up the Group Policy object .............................................................................................................. 24
3Upgrading from trial to full product version .......................................................................... 25
3.1 Changing a license ...................................................................................................................25
3.2 Upgrading components for Windows ......................................................................................26
4Upgrading to advanced editions of Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 ........................................ 27
4.1 Before the upgrade ..................................................................................................................27
4.2 Installing or upgrading the Acronis License Server ..................................................................28
4.4 Upgrading Acronis Group Server to Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 Management Server .....28
4.5 Upgrading Acronis Backup Server to Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 Storage Node ..............30
4.6 Upgrading Acronis True Image Echo agents and local versions ..............................................31
4.6.1Importing a task ............................................................................................................................................. 33
5.1 Local uninstallation in Windows ..............................................................................................34
5.2 Unattended uninstallation in Windows ...................................................................................35
2
5.3 Deleting Acronis Secure Zone ..................................................................................................35
3
1 Before installation
This section answers questions that might arise before the product installation.
1.1 Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 components
This section contains a full list of Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 components with a brief description
of their functionality.
Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 includes the following main types of components.
Components for a managed machine (agents)
These are applications that perform data backup, recovery and other operations on the machines
managed with Acronis Backup & Recovery 10. Agents require a license to perform operations on
each managed machine. Agents have multiple features, or add-ons, that enable additional
functionality and so might require additional licenses.
Components for centralized management
These components, delivered with the advanced editions, provide the centralized management
capability. Usage of these components is not licensed.
Console
The console provides Graphical User Interface and remote connection to the agents and other
Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 components. Usage of the console is not licensed.
Bootable media builder
With bootable media builder, you can create bootable media in order to use the agents and other
rescue utilities in a rescue environment. Availability of the agent add-ons in a rescue environment
depends on whether an add-on is installed on the machine where the media builder is working.
1.1.1 Agent for Windows
This agent enables disk-level and file-level data protection under Windows.
Disk backup
Disk-level data protection is based on backing up either a disk or a volume file system as a whole,
along with all the information necessary for the operating system to boot; or all the disk sectors using
the sector-by-sector approach (raw mode). A backup that contains a copy of a disk or a volume in a
packaged form is called a disk (volume) backup or a disk (volume) image. It is possible to recover
disks or volumes as a whole from such backup, as well as individual folders or files.
File backup
File-level data protection is based on backing up files and folders residing on the machine where the
agent is installed or on a network share. Files can be recovered to their original location or to another
place. It is possible to recover all files and folders that were backed up or select which of them to
recover.
Rather than converting a disk backup to a virtual disk file, which requires additional operations to
bring the virtual disk into use, Agent for Windows performs the conversion by recovering a disk
backup to a new virtual machine of any of the following types: VMware Workstation, Microsoft
Virtual PC, Parallels Workstation, Citrix XenServer Open Virtual Appliance (OVA) or Red Hat KVM.
Files of the fully configured and operational machine will be placed in the folder you select. You can
start the machine using the respective virtualization software or prepare the machine files for further
usage.
Disk management
Agent for Windows includes Acronis Disk Director Lite - a handy disk management utility. Disk
management operations, such as cloning disks; converting disks; creating, formatting and deleting
volumes; changing a disk partitioning style between MBR and GPT or changing a disk label, can be
performed either in the operating system or using bootable media.
1.1.1.1 Universal Restore
The Universal Restore add-on enables you to use the restore to dissimilar hardware functionality on
the machine where the agent is installed, and create bootable media with this functionality.
Universal Restore handles differences in devices that are critical for Windows start-up, such as
storage controllers, motherboard or chipset.
1.1.1.2 Deduplication
This add-on enables the agent to back up data to deduplicating vaults managed by Acronis Backup &
Recovery 10 Storage Node.
1.1.2 Components for centralized management
This section lists the components included in the Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 editions that provide
the centralized management capability. Besides these components, Acronis Backup & Recovery 10
Agents have to be installed on all machines that need data protection.
1.1.2.1 Management Server
Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 Management Server is the central server that drives data protection
within the enterprise network. The management server provides the administrator with:
a single entry point to the Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 infrastructure
an easy way to protect data on numerous machines using backup policies and grouping
enterprise-wide monitoring and reporting functionality
the ability to create centralized vaults for storing enterprise backup archives
the ability to manage storage nodes.
If there are multiple management servers on the network, they operate independently, manage
different machines and use different centralized vaults for storing archives.
The management server uses three Microsoft SQL databases:
The configuration database that stores the list of registered machines and other configuration
information, including backup policies created by the administrator.
The synchronization database used for synchronization of the management server with
registered machines and storage nodes. This is a database with rapidly changing operational
data.
The reporting database that stores the centralized log. This database may grow large. Its size
depends on the logging level you set.
The configuration and synchronization databases should reside on the same Microsoft SQL Server
(called an operational server) preferably installed on the same machine as the management server.
The reporting database can be configured on the same or different SQL server.
When installing a management server, you can select for both operational and reporting servers
what server to use. The following options are available:
1. Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express that comes with the installation package and installs on the
same machine. In this case, an SQL server instance with three databases will be created on the
machine.
2. Microsoft SQL Server 2008 (any edition) previously installed on any machine.
3. Microsoft SQL Server 2005 (any edition) previously installed on any machine.
VMware vCenter integration
This feature provides the capability to view virtual machines managed by a VMware vCenter Server
in the management server GUI, view the backup status of these machines in the vCenter, and
automatically register virtual machines created by Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 in the vCenter.
Integration is available in all Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 advanced editions; a license for Virtual
Edition is not required. No software installation is required on the vCenter Server.
This feature also enables automatic deployment and configuration of Agent for ESX/ESXi to any
ESX/ESXi server, that is not necessarily managed by the vCenter.
1.1.2.2 Storage Node
Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 Storage Node is a server aimed to optimize usage of various resources
(such as the corporate storage capacity, the network bandwidth, or the managed machines' CPU
load) required for the enterprise data protection. This goal is achieved through organizing and
managing the locations that serve as dedicated storages of the enterprise backup archives (managed
vaults).
The storage nodes enable creating highly scalable and flexible, in terms of the hardware support,
storage infrastructure. Up to 20 storage nodes can be set up, each being able to manage up to 20
vaults. The administrator controls the storage nodes centrally from the Acronis Backup & Recovery
10 Management Server. Direct console connection to a storage node is not possible.
Setting up the storage infrastructure
Install the storage nodes, add them to the management server (the procedure is similar to the
managed machine registration) and create centralized vaults. When creating a centralized vault,
specify the path to the vault, the storage node that will manage the vault, and the management
operations to be performed on the vault.
A managed vault can be organized:
on the hard drives local to the storage node
on a network share
on a Storage Area Network (SAN)
on a Network Attached Storage (NAS)
on a tape library locally attached to the storage node.
The management operations are as follows.
Storage node-side cleanup and validation
Archives, stored in unmanaged vaults, are maintained by the agents that create the archives. This
means that each agent not only backs up data to the archive, but also executes service tasks that
apply to the archive, the retention rules and validation rules specified by the backup plan. To relieve
the managed machines of unnecessary CPU load, execution of the service tasks can be delegated to
the storage node. Since the tasks' schedule exists on the machine the agent resides on, and therefore
uses that machine’s time and events, the agent has to initiate the storage node-side cleanup and the
storage node-side validation according to the schedule. To do so, the agent must be online. Further
processing is performed by the storage node.
This functionality cannot be disabled in a managed vault. The next two operations are optional.
Deduplication
A managed vault can be configured as a deduplicating vault. This means that identical data will be
backed up to this vault only once to minimize the network usage during backup and storage space
taken by the archives. For more information, please see the "Deduplication" section in the User
Guide.
Encryption
A managed vault can be configured so that anything written to it is encrypted and anything read
from it is decrypted transparently by the storage node, using a vault-specific encryption key stored
on the node server. In case the storage medium is stolen or accessed by an unauthorized person, the
malefactor will not be able to decrypt the vault contents without access to this specific storage node.
If the archive is already encrypted by the agent, the storage node-side encryption is applied over the
encryption performed by the agent.
1.1.2.3 PXE Server
Acronis PXE Server allows for booting machines into Acronis bootable components through the
network.
The network booting:
Eliminates the need to have a technician onsite to install the bootable media into the system that
has to be booted
During group operations, reduces the time required for booting multiple machines as compared
The server enables you to manage licenses of Acronis products and install the components that
require licenses.
For more information about Acronis License Server please see "Using Acronis License Server (p. 11)".
1.1.3 Management Console
Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 Management Console is an administrative tool for remote or local
access to Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 agents, and in the product editions that include the
centralized management capability, to the Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 Management Server.
The console has two distributions for installation on Windows and installation on Linux. While both
distributions enable connection to any Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 agent and Acronis Backup &
Recovery 10 Management Server, we recommend that you use the console for Windows if you have
a choice between the two. The console that installs on Linux has limited functionality:
remote installation of Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 components is not available
the Active Directory-related features, such as browsing the AD, are not available.
1.1.4 Bootable Media Builder
Acronis Bootable Media Builder is a dedicated tool for creating bootable media. The media builder
that installs on Windows can create bootable media based on either Windows Preinstallation
Environment, or Linux kernel.
The Universal Restore (p. 5) add-on enables you to create bootable media with the restore to
dissimilar hardware functionality. Universal Restore handles differences in devices that are critical for
Windows start-up, such as storage controllers, motherboard or chipset.
The Deduplication (p. 5) add-on enables you to create bootable media with the back up to a
deduplicating vault functionality.
1.1.5 Acronis Wake-on-LA N Proxy
Acronis Wake-on-LAN Proxy enables Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 Management Server to wake up
for backup machines located in another subnet. Acronis Wake-on-LAN Proxy installs on any server in
the subnet where the machines to be backed up are located.
1.2 Supported operating systems
Acronis License Server
Windows XP Professional SP2+ (x86, x64)
Windows 2000 SP4 – all editions except for the Datacenter edition
Windows Server 2003/2003 R2 - the Standard and Enterprise editions (x86, x64)
Windows Small Business Server 2003/2003 R2 (x86)
Windows Vista - all editions except for Vista Home Basic and Vista Home Premium (x86, x64)
Windows 7 SP1 - all editions except for the Starter and Home editions (x86, x64)
Windows Server 2008 - the Standard and Enterprise editions (x86, x64)
Windows Small Business Server 2008 (x64)
Windows Small Business Server 2011
Windows Server 2008 R2 - the Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter, Foundation editions
Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1
Windows MultiPoint Server 2010
Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 Management Console
Windows XP Professional SP2+ (x86, x64)
Windows 2000 SP4 – all editions except for the Datacenter edition
Windows Server 2003/2003 R2 - the Standard and Enterprise editions (x86, x64)
Windows Small Business Server 2003/2003 R2 (x86)
Windows Vista - all editions (x86, x64)
Windows 7 - all editions (x86, x64)
Windows Server 2008 - the Standard and Enterprise editions (x86, x64)
Windows Small Business Server 2008 (x64)
Windows Small Business Server 2011
Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1 - the Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter, Foundation editions
Windows MultiPoint Server 2010
Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 Management Server and Acronis Backup & Recovery
10 Storage Node
Windows XP Professional SP3 (x86, x64)
Windows 2000 SP4 – all editions except for the Datacenter edition
Windows Server 2003/2003 R2 - the Standard and Enterprise editions (x86, x64)
Windows Small Business Server 2003/2003 R2 (x86)
Windows Vista - all editions except for Vista Home Basic and Vista Home Premium (x86, x64)
Windows 7 SP1* - all editions except for the Starter and Home editions (x86, x64)
Windows Server 2008 - the Standard and Enterprise editions (x86, x64)
Windows Small Business Server 2008 (x64)
Windows Small Business Server 2011
Windows Server 2008 R2 SP1* - the Standard, Enterprise, Datacenter, Foundation editions
Windows MultiPoint Server 2010*
* Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 Storage Node handles tape libraries and autoloaders by using
Removable Storage Management (RSM). Since Windows 7, Windows Server 2008 R2 and
Windows MultiPoint Server 2010 do not support RSM, a storage node installed in these
operating systems does not support tape libraries and autoloaders.
Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 Agent for Windows
Windows Server 2003/2003 R2 - the Small Business Server edition (x86)
Windows Small Business Server 2008 (x64)
Windows Small Business Server 2011
Acronis products do not support systems with Extensible Firmware Interface (EFI). Although it is possible to
restore a GPT partition with Acronis if Windows is installed on it, the restored system will not be bootable.
Acronis Backup & Recovery 10 can back up and recover operating systems if they are installed in BIOS/MBR
mode, even if they run on EFI-capable servers. Most servers have BIOS settings that allow booting the
installation CD in BIOS/MBR mode instead of EFI mode. The MBR mode ensures that after installation the boot
disk is partitioned in MBR standard, not GPT.
1.3 System requirements
The components installed in Windows
Component Memory (above
the OS and
running
applications)
Disk space required
during installation or
update
Disk space occupied
by the component(s)
Additional
Complete installation 300 MB 2.7 GB 1.7 GB
including SQL
Express Server
Agent for Windows 120 MB 700 MB 260 MB
Bootable Media Builder 80 MB 700 MB 300 MB CD-RW or DVD-