Backup4all does not allow users to select multiple backup destinations for a single backup job. However, users can create multiple backup jobs assigned with the same backup tag and each job could have a different backup destination. When a backup tag is scheduled to run, all backup jobs containing that tag will run sequentially. It is specifically useful when you want to have the same backup stored on different destinations for increased data protection. For example you can have the same backup stored on a remote FTP location and also on an external hard drive - if one backup destination will become unavailable at least you can recover your data from the other destination.
Backing up to multiple destinations
Backup4all allows one destination for each backup job. So by setting up a backup tag and assign it on several backup jobs, you can have a backup stored in multiple destinations. The advantage of defining a backup tag is that the user does not have to run each backup job independently and he does not have to wait until the previous backup job is finished. The backup jobs containing that backup tag are automatically executed one after another.
The strategy is this:
- In the defined backup tag, the first backup job in the list (backup jobs in a tag are executed in the order they are shown in the backup list) will back up the source files and folders to the first backup destination (called Destination_1 in this example).
- The second job will use as backup source the backup destination of the first job (files in the Destination1 folder). This way, a mirror backup of the Destination1 folder will be created into the second destination (called Destination2). You will have the same backup stored in both destinations: Destination1 and Destination_2.
- Any subsequent backup jobs will use as source the destination of the first backup job (Destination_1 in this case)
Here is an example on how to create a backup tag with 2 backup jobs that back up the same data to 2 different destinations:
- Open Backup4all, go to File -> New (Ctrl+N).
- On the first page, select the backup destination (Destination_1). Click Next.
- On the What do you want to backup page, select the files and folders to be backed up. Click Next.
- On the Filter the backup sources page, you can set include/exclude filters for backup sources. Then press Next.
- On the How do you want to backup page, select the backup type. By default, the Smart type is selected. Click Advanced mode button.
- On General page, enter a name for the backup (Backup_1) in the Name field and press the Add new tag button. Type the name of the tag (Tag1) and press OK, then Save.
- Create the second backup job from File -> New (Ctrl+N). On the first page select the backup destination (Destination_2). Click Next.
- On the What do you want to backup page, add the Destination_1 folder to be backed up. Click Next twice.
- On the How do you want to backup page, select the Mirror backup type. Click Advanced mode button.
- On General page, enter a name for the backup (Backup_2) in the Name field and select the tag. Select the name of the tag (Tag1) and press Save.
- You can manually run the backup tag (Tag1) by right-click on it and select Backup Tag or from the Tags menu
- You can add a scheduled task to automatically run the tag (see this tutorial - How to schedule an existing backup job, backup tag or “one touch backup”)
Now in the backup list you'll see the 2 backup jobs listed in the order they were created (first is Backup1, second should be Backup2). Order is important as backup jobs are executed in the order they are shown. To set up more backup destinations, the user has to repeat the steps from 7 to 10.
Note: If an user wants to back up to more than 2 destinations, we recommend using the Duplicate option in Backup4all (from the right-click menu). As this option actually clones an existing backup job (only the name of the backup job is changed), there is no need to create a completely new backup job. You only have to open the Backup Properties (Ctrl+P) for the cloned backup job and change the existing Destination to the backup destination you want.