e.News

Comsense Inc. Volume 2, Number 3
Archive Issues go to http://www.comsenseinc.com/eNewsArchive.aspx

January 2004

Backing Up Your
Opening Suite Data

Patrick Teas You work hard day after day; the last thing you want is to lose hours of work to a virus or hard drive crash.

Backing up SQL Server

The Comsense Opening Suite stores data in a Microsoft SQL Server 2000 database. During your initial installation of the Opening Suite, or at some point shortly after installation, a Customer Service Representative from Comsense set up a Maintenance Plan in SQL Server for you. What this will do is backup the databases on a regular basis and also perform index tuning and file shrinkage for you. The backups are stored on a hard drive where the SQL Server is installed, typically in a folder called ‘C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL$COMSENSESQL\BACKUP\’. You should check this directory for a folder called ComData which should contain backup files from the prior 3 or 4 nights plus a transaction log backup from the previous day at noon.

For standalone systems like laptops or single user systems that do not have the SQL Server database on another machine, please note that the backup schedule is usually set to backup the databases at 11:00 PM, unless you specified for us to do otherwise. Your machine must be powered on for these backups to happen, so if you turn your computer off every night you will not be getting a backup of your data.

In addition to the database there is also a Common Folder where we store items outside of the database like submittals and report templates.

Archiving to Removable Media

The process of backing up your Opening Suite data has two steps. The first step is the SQL Server backup mentioned above, which happens automatically, but should be verified on a regular basis by you. The second step involves backing up the data to a removable medium like tape or writable DVD using backup software like Veritas BackupExec or the built-in Windows Backup applet. This step protects your data in the event of a hard drive failure, virus attack, theft or a natural disaster.

If the computer storing the data becomes unavailable for whatever reason the only thing saving you will be the backup you stored on removable media. Equipment is fairly easy to replace, but your hours of work can only be recovered if you have a recent backup available. You should use a media rotation scheme that provides flexible restore options and also keep sets of the media at an offsite location. Learn about the standard Grandfather-Father-Son rotation scheme in the article Defining a Rotation Scheme (http://www.dlttape.com/DLTtape/Backup+Basics/ Reliability/Defining+A+Rotation+Scheme.htm) on the DLT Tape website.

What to Backup to Removable Media

You should backup your whole computer on a regular basis, following the Grandfather-Father-Son rotation scheme. The specific folders that should be backed up for the Comsense Opening Suite include:

C:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\MSSQL$COMSENSESQL\BACKUP\

This folder should contain files called ‘ComData_db_#########.bak’ and ComData_db_########.trn.

C:\Program Files\Comsense\Common

This folder should contain folders called ‘ClientData’, ‘Templates’, and others.

These are the default locations for the Opening Suite data. Your locations could be different if you chose other locations at installation time.

It is a good idea to verify that your backups are working correctly by periodically trying to restore your data from tape to a test location. You may find you’ve missed something, or the schedule hasn’t been working properly. This is something you want to find out before facing a real problem.

If you require any assistance locating your data files or verifying that your backups are working correctly please contact Comsense Customer Service at 905-568-4627 and we will help you ensure that this important operation is being completed correctly.

If the computer storing the data becomes unavailable for whatever reason the only thing saving you will be the backup you stored on removable media.

Microsoft Ends Support for Windows 98 and Windows NT 4…Almost

Patrick Teas Most of us wear many hats at work these days. So in case you haven’t had your IT hat on for a while, I thought I would bring something to your attention. Windows 98 and Windows NT 4 have been available for quite some time now, 5 ½ and 8 ½ years respectively to be precise and their lives are getting closer to ending in 2004.

Beginning January 16, 2004 Windows 98 and 98 SE were supposed to enter their Non-Supported phase. This means that Microsoft would no longer issuing any fixes for the operating system, security related or otherwise. Paid Support would no longer be available, meaning you cannot phone Microsoft and pay for a support call. The only support left for users of Windows 98 would have been Online Support, which was only guaranteed to be available until Jane 30 2006, the Windows 98 End of Life date. Bowing to pressures from users overseas Microsoft has extended paid support until June 30, 2006, and Online Support to June 2007. If you are still running Windows 98 consider this as extra time to get your upgrade plans in place and implemented.

Windows NT 4 Workstation entered its Non-Supported phase June 30, 2003 and its End of Life begins June 30, 2004.

For Windows NT 4 Server, January 1 2004 marks the end of non-security hot-fixes. Meaning that there will be no more fixes available for the operating system unless Microsoft deems them to be important for security. A year later, on January 1 2005, Windows NT 4 Server enters its end of support phase. At that time there will be no more fixes issued, paid support will be unavailable and, most importantly, Online Support may be removed.

Comsense Inc. is a knowledgeable Microsoft reseller, and we would be happy to help you make the right decisions when upgrading your technology. For multiple copies of software consider Microsoft Open License or Open License Value, which gives you the option of spreading your investment over three annual payments. With Open License you can also purchase Software Assurance, which provides free upgrades for a 2 or 3 year period and a reduced renewal price as well as additional benefits. We would like you to know that the most cost effective way to purchase Windows is bundled with new hardware

For more information about Microsoft product lifecycles, visit these sites:

Windows Desktop Product Life Cycle Support and Availability Policies for Businesses
(http://www.microsoft.com/windows/lifecycle.asp)

Windows 98 and 98 SE End of Support
(http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[LN];LifeAn1)

Retiring Windows NT Server 4.0: Changes in Product Availability and Support
http://www.microsoft.com/ntserver/ProductInfo/Availability/Retiring.asp)

For more information on the benefits of Open License:

Microsoft Licensing
(http://www.microsoft.com/licensing/)

Beginning January 16, 2004 Windows 98 and 98 SE were supposed to enter their Non-Supported phase. This means that Microsoft would no longer issuing any fixes for the operating system, security related or otherwise.

e.Catalog Update

Neil Teas, AHC – Director of Catalog Development While we are busy updating the rush of price increases that have come through for January and February, we have also been diligent at reviewing and updating our images for the Advantage and Specwriter programs.

We are now ready to release Image CD #7 with all of our recent changes. This CD includes updates for CBH (Canadian), Detex, Dorma, HES, Precision, Rixson and Yale. You can expect the CD within the next few days if you haven’t received it by this time.

On another note, I have noticed that more and more manufacturers are changing their finish symbols. This is due, in some cases, to new finishes or processes becoming available. In other cases, I believe, it is being done to improve consistency throughout product lines. In most situations symbols are changing form “US” symbols to BHMA symbols. These changes can create havoc on existing projects or stock inventory. If it is a major change throughout a catalog we will issue a special update that will correct the finishes on projects and in inventory. Otherwise it will be mentioned in the update notes and hopefully someone within your firm will take whatever action is necessary bring your projects and stock to current information.

A happy and prosperous 2004 to all.

Comsense Inc.
120 Traders Blvd.
Suite 209
Mississauga, ON
L4Z 2H7

Phone:(905) 568-4627
Fax:(905) 568-1465
E-mail:
sales@comsenseinc.com
www.comsenseinc.com

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