Volume Shadow Copy Service is a Microsoft Windows service that coordinates various components to create consistent shadow copies of one or more volumes.

In Windows XP, Windows Vista Operating Systems and Windows Server 2003 Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) provides a mechanism for creating consistent point-in-time copies of data known as shadow copies.

With VSS you can archive files even if they are in use at the time of backup. If VSS is enabled (from the advanced options menu while creating a new backup schedule), eBackItUp.com will create a snapshot (read only copy) of the volume(s) corresponding to the configured folders/files and will thereafter backup the snapshot of the volume. The Volume Shadow copy helps eBackItUp.com create consistent backups, ensuring that the contents do not change while the backup is underway. This helps avoid problems typically associated with file locking; since eBackItUp.com uses a 'read-only' copy of the volume, it is able to access every file without conflicting with other programs writing to those same files!

This feature is especially useful in backing up exclusively locked files (of specific applications), such as the Outlook pst file in case of Outlook backups. Please note that you do not need VSS functionality to backup databases (like SQL & Exchange) - eBackItUp.com includes powerful support for SQL Exchange archiving!

There is no extra charge for the Volume Shadow Copy functionality!

Requirements

1. eBackItUp.com uses Microsoft's 'Volume Shadow Copy' Service (typically installed by default with the operating system) to create the 'snapshot' for backup. Hence, eBackItUp.com needs the Volume Shadow Copy Service to be configured with the service start type set to Automatic or Manual.

2. The Volume Shadow Copy Service needs at least 100 MB of free disk space.

If you're using an operating system that supports Volume Shadow Copy (e.g. Windows XP, Vista and Windows Server 2003), you simply need to enable the VSS option in your backup schedules (from the advanced options screen).

If you don't have Volume Shadow Copy, eBackItUp.com helps you to perform the Open Files backup with a help of a plug-in. The plug-in is pre-configured to allow eBackItUp.com access to open files, and with it you needn't worry about files not being backed up because they happened to be in use at the time of backup. Please note that:

• You should NOT use the open file plug-in to backup databases (like SQL & Exchange) - eBackItUp.com includes powerful support for SQL Backup & Exchange Backup.
• The plug-in needs to run on the machines backing up their data, NOT on the backup server receiving backup data.

Please contact us to learn more about the backup exec open file option. We are happy to help you find the Windows open file backup option that is right for you.