Backing up a station using the web UI
A station backup, which creates a distribution (.dist) file is the most complete way to back up a station. It includes all
station data and module-dependent information. This type of backup automatically de-crypts the keyring (used to secure encrypted
passwords) and stores the passwords in the .dist file. This procedure backs up the station you are currently logged into.
This may be the Supervisor station or a remote controller station. You use this type of backup to replace a controller with
another controller of the same model and software version and to install software on multiple same-model controllers.
Prerequisites: Your PC is connected to the network with the remote controller. You are using the web UI.
- Open one of the supported web browsers (IE or Firefox) and connect to the remote station.
- From the Home view, click .The Backups view opens.
- Continuing with the web UI, click the Local Backup button.A Local Backup window opens.The first option saves the file in the backups folder under the Supervisor station. The second option automatically downloads the backup to the computer’s
Downloadsfolder. - To continue, click Ok.The Job window displays a progress bar while the backup job runs. When the job is finished, the Local Backup window opens.
- Click the
Show Detailslink to open a window that displays the history of this backup job. - To save the backup
*.distfile to a designated location, click the Download button.The browser prompts you to open or save the file. You cannot save it to the controller.NOTE: You must save the file within five minutes of creating it. If you view the file, it opens from a temporary directory. You must designate a save-to location to save the file to a location other than the temporary location. - Save the file to a location other than the System Home or User Home, giving the file a short name that identifies the station.
- Choose to save the file.
- Choose to open the file.
If you chose to save the file, a browser prompts you to open the Downloads folder. If you chose to open the file, you can save it from the opening application interface (this must be a file-compression application). - Make a note of the date and where you saved any downloaded backup files so you can find them later. As a best practice, consider renaming the resulting backup
.distfile to a short, meaningful name. - If the
.distfile is for a new Supervisor or engineering workstation on a different PC, copy the backup .dist file to the new PC, otherwise leave the backup.distfile in the backups folder.