PsExec and Uranium: how to run backups on other
computers
This simple tutorial shows how to integrate Uranium Backup with a small console
program, called PsExec, with whom you can run programs on other computers on the
network.
In this case we use PsExec to perform a backup procedure through an Uranium Backup
installed on another PC.
For example, with this methodology can make an Uranium, installed on a central server,
send a command to the various Uranium installed in other network computers, before
running himself the backup. So we have the opportunity to use Uranium as if it had
several "Agents" installed on other network PCs.
PsExec is a completely free software and can be downloaded from its official website
on this page: http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/utilities/psexec.mspx.
The page provides also a simple manual, which you can find an explanation of all
command line parameters.
PsExec consists of a simple executable file and does not require installation. We
can copy it in any folder and run it from there. Here we can assume that the program
has been put on the disc C:.
Let's see below the simple configuration to be done on Uranium:
Let's click on Backup Set options:
Then let's go in the panel "Other" and set up the option like we can see in the
image below:
Using the "Select" button we must select the
file PsExec.exe and write the
following command line in the text box:
C:\PsExec.exe \\computername -u "username"-p "password"-the
"C:\program files\freesoft\uranium\uranium.exe" cmdline execbks "MyBackupSetName"
T V T
Explain the various parameters:
\\computername: the name or IP address of the computer
in the network where we want to run Uranium.
-u: user name with which to authenticate on the network computer.
-p: password with which to authenticate on the network computer .
-i: interactive execution of the program. The program interface will be visible
to the remote user.
"C:\program files\freesoft\uranium\uranium.exe" cmdline
execbks "MyBackupSetName" T V T: the path of the Uranium executable file
with the various parameters which indicate to the program to execute a specific
Backup Set (for further information about Uranium's command line parameters see
this tutorial).
Checking the option "Visible" we will see the program execution in a dos window,
which will remain
open until the backup process on the other computers will not be finished, unless we set the optional parameter -d
(do not wait that the application remote terms).
We must also check the option "Wait for the end of the execution up to a maximum
of ..." and
set the maximum time that we believe is necessary for the backup operations
on the other computers. Uranium will wait for the end of the remote backup operations
up to the maximum time before starting with its own backup.
We can obviously set the execution of PsExec also in "Actions to be taken AFTER"
this Backup Set, even depending on certain conditions.
It is also possible to make more executions of Uranium on several computers writing
the names of computers separated with a comma, or using the string "\\*" as
first parameter (in this way the execution will be performed on all network computers).
However, if the names of the Backup Sets and the authentication data vary across the computers, we should create a batch file with more calls to PsExec with several
command lines, and insert its path in the box of file to be executed
.
Note: in order to make PsExec work, it is necessary that the computer
where we want to run a program have the system share ADMIN$ enabled.
To make effective this configuration we will have to click on "Apply".
----------------------------------------------------------------------
For any question or technical information about this tutorial you can post a message
in the
support
forum.
FREESOFT SRL AND/OR ITS RESPECTIVE SUPPLIERS MAKE NO REPRESENTATIONS ABOUT THE SUITABILITY OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THE DOCUMENTS AND RELATED GRAPHICS PUBLISHED AS PART OF THE SERVICES FOR ANY PURPOSE. ALL SUCH DOCUMENTS AND RELATED GRAPHICS ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. FREESOFT SRL AND/OR ITS RESPECTIVE SUPPLIERS HEREBY DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS WITH REGARD TO THIS INFORMATION, INCLUDING ALL WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY, WHETHER EXPRESS, IMPLIED OR STATUTORY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, TITLE AND NON-INFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL FREESOFT SRL OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF FREESOFT SRL OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES.THE DOCUMENTS AND RELATED GRAPHICS PUBLISHED ON THE SERVICES COULD INCLUDE TECHNICAL INACCURACIES OR TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS. CHANGES ARE PERIODICALLY ADDED TO THE INFORMATION HEREIN. FREESOFT SRL MAY MAKE IMPROVEMENTS AND/OR CHANGES IN THE PRODUCT(S) AND/OR THE PROGRAM(S) DESCRIBED HEREIN AT ANY TIME.