Backup Types – FLEX Recommendations

Data Management and Security (Hardware) Hardware Backup Types - FLEX Recommendations

This document outlines various precautionary backup types and FLEX’s recommended processing frequencies. For specific configuration questions, please contact the FLEX Software Support teams.

For detailed instructions on Full System Saves, refer to the “Full System Saves Procedures.” Most CMCSAVSYS-related questions should be directed to FLEX Hardware Support teams.

1. Full System Saves

  • Purpose: Backs up the entire system, essential for a full system restore.
  • Frequency:
    • Required quarterly by FLEX Disaster Recovery Contract.
    • If not under contract, no less than every six months; quarterly is strongly recommended.
  • Tape Rotation: Use a 5-tape rotation.
  • FLEX Disaster Recovery (DR) Integration:
    • Keep the most current tape at the Credit Union (CU).
    • Send the next oldest tape to FLEX.
    • Note: Data is NOT automatically encrypted. Encryption software can be purchased for tape backups. Contact your FLEX Sales Representative for more information.
  • Support: Contact FLEX Hardware Support for information on processing a full system save using CMCSAVSYS protocols.

2. DOCVault (formerly Online XSD)

  • Scope: Only documents (PDFs) stored within Document Manager can be backed up using DOCVault options.
  • Synchronization: An automatic synchronization process ensures two copies of all documents exist at all times.
  • Archiving Recommendations:
    • Further archiving within this environment is NOT recommended due to:
      • Increased document retrieval time.
      • Expanded capacity on new IBM servers, reducing the necessity to save disk space through archiving.
    • If archiving is processed, refer to general CSD recommendations for retention suggestions.
  • Support: Contact FLEX Hardware Support for additional information about this process.

3. IFS/DocMan Backup (Revision Pending)

  • Purpose: Complements the Full System Save; runs monthly using steps similar to a Full System Save.
  • Location: “Backup IFS” is located under “Document Manager” in the FLEX Main Menu.
    • To perform a full backup, type FULL.
  • Tape/HDD Rotation: Use a 3-tape/HDD rotation.
  • Encryption: Data is NOT automatically encrypted. Software encryption can be purchased for tape backups. Contact your FLEX Sales Representative for further information.
  • Operation: Backup can run during the day.
  • MTD Data Backup:
    • Daily during End of Day (EOD) using FLEXVault (FV) or tape. Data is retained on FLEXVault for 92 days.
    • Monthly during End of Month (EOM) using FLEXVault (FV) or tape. Data is retained on FLEXVault for 13 months.
  • Support: Contact FLEX Hardware Support for additional information about this process.

4. Disaster Recovery (DR)

  • Weekly Backup Scope:
    • Includes CMCFLEX, CMCQUERY, CMCHIST, user profiles, and device descriptions.
    • If the CU has not contracted with FLEX for DR, then QS36F, CMCDAILY, and CMCIFS are also included with the weekly DR backup.
  • CMCIFS Configuration: CMCIFS data is configured under the “Selective Backup Maintenance” option, listed under “General Configuration/Configuration” in the FLEX Main Menu.
  • Manual DR Libraries: Libraries generated by a manual DR should be routinely saved to tape and deleted from the main server.
  • Off-site Storage: Current tape should be stored remotely off-site.
  • Tape Rotation: Use a 3-tape rotation, assuming quarterly full system saves are performed.
  • Encryption: Data is NOT automatically encrypted. Encryption software can be purchased for tape backups. Contact your FLEX Sales Representative for further information.
  • Support: Contact FLEX Software Support for assistance in generating tape backups.
  • FLEXVault for DR: All CUs with DR via FLEX are using FLEXVault.
    • Weekly backup includes CMCFLEX, CMCQUERY, CMCHIST, user profiles, and device descriptions.
    • Data is retained on FLEXVault for 62 days.

5. End of Day (EOD) Backups

  • Tape Backup Scope: Includes QS36F, MTD DocMan, and CMCD* libraries.
  • CMCD* Configuration: CMCD* is configured under the “Features” option, listed under “General Configuration/Configuration” in the FLEX Main Menu.
  • Tape Rotation: Use a 2-week tape rotation.
  • Encryption: Data is NOT automatically encrypted. Encryption software can be purchased for tape backups. Contact your FLEX Sales Representative for further information.
  • FLEXVault Backup Scope: Includes QS36F, CMCDAILY, CMCIFS, MTD DocMan, MTD Credit Bureau, and MTD Photo ID.
  • CMCIFS Configuration: CMCIFS data is configured under “Selective Backup Maintenance” option, listed under “General Configuration/Configuration” in the FLEX Main Menu.
  • FLEXVault Data Retention: Data is retained on FLEXVault for 92 days.

6. End of Month (EOM) Backups

  • Tape Backup Scope: Includes QS36F, CMCFLEX, CMCHIST, CMCQUERY, CMCIFS, CMCD* libraries, and MTD DocMan.
  • CMCIFS Configuration: CMCIFS data is configured under “Selective Backup Maintenance” option, listed under “General Configuration/Configuration” in the FLEX Main Menu.
  • CMCD* Configuration: CMCD* is configured under the “Features” option, listed under “General Configuration/Configuration” in the FLEX Main Menu.
  • Tape Rotation: Use a 24-month tape rotation.
  • Encryption: Data is NOT automatically encrypted. Encryption software can be purchased for tape backups. Contact your FLEX Sales Representative for further information.
  • FLEXVault Backup Scope: Includes QS36F, CMCDAILY, CMCIFS, MTD DocMan, MTD Credit Bureau, and MTD Photo ID.
  • CMCIFS Configuration: CMCIFS data is configured under “Selective Backup Maintenance” option, listed under “General Configuration/Configuration” in the FLEX Main Menu.
  • FLEXVault Data Retention and Copies:
    • Data is retained on FLEXVault for 13 months.
    • Two media copies are created each month:
      • One copy stored on-site at FLEX for 24 months.
      • Second copy stored at the Granite Vault. This second copy can be requested to be sent back to the CU after 24 months.

7. End of Year (EOY) Backups

  • Tape Backup Scope: Includes QS36F, CMCFLEX, CMCHIST, CMCQUERY, CMCIFS, CMCD* libraries, and MTD DocMan.
  • CMCIFS Configuration: CMCIFS data is configured under “Selective Backup Maintenance” option, listed under “General Configuration/Configuration” in the FLEX Main Menu.
  • CMCD* Configuration: CMCD* is configured under the “Features” option, listed under “General Configuration/Configuration” in the FLEX Main Menu.
  • Tape Retention: Keep this tape indefinitely.
  • Encryption: Data is NOT automatically encrypted. Encryption software can be purchased for tape backups. Contact your FLEX Sales Representative for further information.
  • FLEXVault Backup Scope: Includes QS36F, CMCDAILY, CMCIFS, MTD DocMan, MTD Credit Bureau, and MTD Photo ID.
  • CMCIFS Configuration: CMCIFS data is configured under “Selective Backup Maintenance” option, listed under “General Configuration/Configuration” in the FLEX Main Menu.
  • FLEXVault Data Retention and Copies:
    • Data is retained on FLEXVault for 13 months.
    • Two media copies are created each month:
      • One copy stored on-site at FLEX for 24 months.
      • Second copy stored at the Granite Vault. This second copy can be requested to be sent back to the CU after 24 months.

8. GL EOM (General Ledger End of Month)

  • Purpose: Backs up Year-To-Date (YTD) GL data monthly.
  • Yearly Tape: Yearly tape is to be retained forever.
  • Encryption: Data is NOT automatically encrypted. Encryption software can be purchased for tape backups. Contact your FLEX Sales Representative for further information.
  • FLEXVault Data Retention and Copies:
    • Data is retained on FLEXVault for 13 months.
    • Two media copies are created each month:
      • One copy stored on-site at FLEX for 24 months.
      • Second copy stored at the Granite Vault. This second copy can be requested to be sent back to the CU after 24 months.

9. Encryption (FLEXVault)

  • Process: FLEXVault electronically sends or transmits credit union EOP (End of Period) data to FLEX for storage.
  • In-Transit Encryption: All data utilizing this transport or tunnel from start to endpoint has 3DES (168 BIT) encryption algorithms encapsulating every packet. Any data sent using the FLEXVault process will have all files encrypted while in transit.