Dell Appassure 5 User Guide

							Dell AppAssure User Guide
Version 5.4.3 Revision B19 deduplicated. If the total size of the archive is larger than the space available on the removable media, the 
archive will span across multiple devices based on the available space on the media. Recovery from an archive 
does not require a new core; any core can ingest the archive and recover data if the administrator has the 
passphrase and the encryption keys.
Virtualization and cloud
The AppAssure Core is cloud-ready, which means you can leverage the compute capacity of the cloud for 
recovery and archiving.
AppAssure can export any protected or replicated machine to a virtual machine (VM), such as a licensed version 
of VMware or Hyper-V. You can perform a one-time virtual export, or you can establish a virtual standby VM by 
establishing a continual virtual export. With continual exports, the virtual machine is incrementally updated 
after every snapshot. The incremental updates are fast and provide standby clones that are ready to be 
powered up with a click of a button. Supported VM export types include: VMware Workstation and VMware 
Server on a folder; direct export to a vSphere or VMware ESX(i) host; export to Oracle VirtualBox; and export to 
Microsoft Hyper-V Server on Windows Server 2008 (x64), 2008 R2, 2012 (x64), and 2012 R2 (including support for 
Hyper-V generation 2 VMs).
Additionally, you can archive your repository data to the cloud using Microsoft Azure, Amazon S3, Rackspace 
Cloud Files, or other OpenStack-based cloud services.
Alerts and event management
In addition to HTTP REST APIs, AppAssure also includes an extensive set of features for event logging and 
notification using email, syslog, or Windows Event Log. Email notifications can be used to alert users or groups 
of the health or status of different events in response to an alert. The syslog and Windows Event Log methods 
are used for centralized logging to a repository in multi-operating system environments; while in Windows-only 
environments, only the Windows Event Log is used.
License Portal
The Dell AppAssure License Portal provides easy-to-use tools for managing license entitlements. You can 
download, activate, view, and manage license keys and create a company profile to track your license assets. 
Additionally, the portal enables service providers and re-sellers to track and manage their customer licenses.
Web console
AppAssure features a web-based central console that manages distributed AppAssure Cores from one central 
location. Managed service providers (MSPs) and enterprise customers with multiple distributed cores can deploy 
this console to get a unified view for centralized management. The AppAssure Central Management Console lets 
you organize the managed cores in hierarchical organizational units. These organizational units can represent 
business units, locations, or customers for MSPs with role-based access. Using the central console, you can also 
run reports across all of your managed cores. 
						

							Dell AppAssure User Guide
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Service management APIs
AppAssure comes bundled with a set of service management APIs and provides programmatic access to all of the 
functionality available through the AppAssure Central Management Console. The service management API is a 
REST API. All the API operations are performed over SSL and are mutually authenticated using X.509 v3 
certificates. The management service can be accessed from within the environment or directly over the 
Internet from any application that can send and receive an HTTPS request and response. The approach 
facilitates easy integration with any Web application such as relationship management methodology (RMM) tools 
or billing systems. Also included with AppAssure is an SDK client for PowerShell scripting.
White labeling
AppAssure can be re-branded and white-labeled for select enterprise and OEM partners under the Platinum 
service provider program. The Platinum service provider program lets partners brand AppAssure with their 
custom name, logo, and color themes and deliver the product or service with their own branding and look-and-
feel to their customers.
As an AppAssure partner, you can tailor the software to meet your business requirements. To further explore 
how you can brand AppAssure to suit your business needs, contact Dell AppAssure Sales at 
[email protected] for more information.
AppAssure wizards
A wizard is a guided set of steps presented to a user in a pop-up window to automate one or more complex 
tasks. By definition, a wizard contains two or more pages of information for the user to complete. (A single-
window pop-up is simply considered a dialog box). Wizards use a variety of familiar graphic conventions to 
collect information, such as text boxes, radio buttons, check boxes, and drop-down menus.
When you start a wizard, a window opens above the user interface, and guides you through a series of choices 
required to accomplish the task. You complete the information presented in each page of the wizard as befits 
your requirements, navigating back and forth between wizard pages by clicking Next and Back buttons. When 
complete, you click a submit button (to confirm your choices and perform the task) or the Cancel button (to 
cancel without making changes, and to return to the UI from which you opened the wizard).
AppAssure offers several wizards, which can be divided into two categories.
First, there are wizards to install, update, or remove AppAssure software and related components. These are 
typically launched by double-clicking an executable software installer program. Installers can be accessed by 
downloading specific components from the Dell AppAssure License Portal.
Secondly, wizards are available in the AppAssure Core Console user interface. These are typically launched by 
clicking on a button or link labeled with the wizard function or result. The wizards in this category are listed 
below.
Table 1. Wizards available in the AppAssure Core Console
Wizard Name Launched by Description
Quick Start 
GuideQuick Start Guide 
option (Help menu)Unifies multiple workflows to simplify common tasks for AppAssure. 
Steps user through the process to protect machines, to configure 
replication for new agents, to export protected data to virtual 
machines, to encrypt recovery point data, configure email notification 
groups, and to configure a retention policy.
Protect Machine 
WizardProtect Machine 
button (button bar)Sets up protection on a single machine that you specify. Allows you to 
provide a name for that machine to display in the Core console. If 
Agent software is already installed, allows you to select volumes for 
protection. If not, the wizard will install the software and protect all 
volumes. Sets a default protection schedule or allows you to set a 
custom schedule. Using Advanced settings, you can choose (or create) 
a repository and establish encryption for your protected data. 
						

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Version 5.4.3 Revision B21 While wizards typically set up or configure features in AppAssure, you can later modify most of those aspects 
from the Core Console.Protect Multiple 
Machines 
WizardBulk Protect button 
(Home tab)Sets up protection on multiple machines that you specify, either from 
a Windows Active Directory domain server, a VMware vCenter 
Server/ESX(i) virtual host, or manually (by entering a list in a specified 
format).
Replication 
WizardAdd Target Core link 
(Replication tab)Sets up replication from a primary (or source) Core so that a copy of 
your protected data is always available on a separate target Core.
Restore Machine 
WizardRestore button 
(button bar)Steps you through the process of restoring data from a recovery point 
on the Core to a protected machine, or initiating a bare metal restore.
Export Wizard Export button 
(button bar), Add 
link (Virtual Standby 
tab)Exports recovery point data from a protected machine to a virtual 
machine in any supported VM format. You can perform a one-time 
export or set up virtual standby for continuous export. Table 1. Wizards available in the AppAssure Core Console
Wizard Name Launched by Description 
						

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Understanding the AppAssure Core 
Console
This chapter describes the different elements of the AppAssure Core Console user interface. It includes the 
following topics:
•Navigating the Core Console
•Using the Error dialog box
•Understanding the Quick Start Guide
•Viewing the protected machines menu
•Viewing the replicated machines menu
•Viewing the Recovery Points Only menu
•Viewing the Custom Groups menu
The Core Console is the main user interface (UI) through which users interact with AppAssure. When you log into 
the AppAssure Core Console, you see the following elements in the UI.
Table 2. UI elements included in the Core Console
UI Element Description
Branding area For typical environments, the AppAssure Core Console is branded Dell 
AppAssure. Clicking on the branding area results in a new tab opening in the 
web browser, taking you to product documentation on the Support site.
Button bar The button bar contains buttons accessible from anywhere in the Core 
Console. These buttons launch wizards to accomplish common tasks such as 
protecting a machine, performing a restore from a recovery point, or 
exporting data to a virtual machine. These buttons include the following:
The Protect button launches the Protect Machine Wizard, from 
which you can protect a single machine in the AppAssure Core. 
Additionally for other protection options, you can access the drop-
down menu next to this button. 
•The Protect Machine option is another method to launch 
the Protect Machine Wizard to protect a single machine.
•The Protect Cluster option allows you to connect to a server 
cluster. 
•The Bulk Protect option opens the Protect Multiple 
Machines Wizard to allow you to protect two or more 
machines simultaneously.
The Restore button opens the Restore Machine Wizard to allow you 
to restore data from recovery points saved from a protected 
machine.
The Export button opens the Export Wizard. From this wizard you 
can create a virtual machine from recovery points saved in the 
AppAssure Core. You have the option of creating a one-time export, 
or you can define parameters for a VM that is continually updated 
after every snapshot for a protected machine.  
						

							Dell AppAssure User Guide
Version 5.4.3 Revision B23 Running tasks count Shows how many jobs are currently running. This value is dynamic based on 
the system state. When you click the drop-down menu, you see a status 
summary for all jobs currently running. By clicking the X for any job, you 
can choose to cancel that job.
Help drop-down 
menuThe Help menu includes the following options: 
•Help. Links to AppAssure technical documentation on the Dell 
Support website. 
•Support. Links to the Dell Support website, providing access to Live 
Chat, video tutorials, AppAssure knowledge base articles, frequently 
asked questions, and more. 
•Quick Start Guide. The Quick Start Guide is a guided flow of 
suggested tasks to configure and use AppAssure. The guide opens 
automatically each time you log in to the Core Console, unless you 
disable this feature. You can also open the Quick Start Guide from 
the Help menu. For more information about the Quick Start Guide, 
see Navigating the Core Console.
•About. Opens the About AppAssure Core dialog box, including 
version information and a description of the software.
Server date and 
timeThe current time and date of the machine running the AppAssure Core 
service appears at the top right of the Core Console. This is the time 
recorded by the system for events such as logging, scheduling, and 
reporting. For example, when applying protection schedules, the time 
displayed on the Core Console is used. This is true even if the time zone is 
different on the database server or on the client machine where the 
browser is running.
Left navigation area The left navigation area appears under the branding area, on the left side 
of the user interface. It contains the icon bar and the Protected Machines 
menu. If you have added replication to this Core, then this area contains a 
Replicated Machines menu. If you have any machines that were removed 
from protection but for which recovery points were saved, then this area 
contains a Recovery Points Only menu. If you added any custom groups, 
then this area contains a Custom Group menu. 
You can toggle the appearance of the left navigation area on and off. This is 
helpful when you need to see more content in the main navigation area of 
the UI. To hide this section, click the gray border between the left 
navigation and main navigation areas. To show this UI element once more, 
click the gray border again.
Icon bar The icon bar includes a graphic representation for each tab on the Core 
Console. Clicking the appropriate item takes you to the corresponding 
section of the user interface where you can manage that function. Icons in 
the icon bar include: 
Icon bar
Home. Click the Home icon to navigate to the Core Home tab.
Replication. Click the Replication icon to view or manage incoming 
or outgoing replication.
Virtual Standby. Click the Virtual Standby icon to export 
information from a recovery point to a bootable virtual machine. Table 2. UI elements included in the Core Console
UI Element Description 
						

							Dell AppAssure User Guide
Version 5.4.3 Revision B24 Events. Click the Events icon to view a log of all system events 
related to the AppAssure Core.
Tools. Click the Tools icon to view or manage system information, 
boot CDs, mounts, bulk deploy, downloads, archives, cloud 
accounts, diagnostics, or reports.
Configuration (Settings). Click the Configuration icon to view or 
manage configuration options for the AppAssure Core, including 
repositories; encryption keys; notification groups or email server 
settings for notifications; the Core retention policy; SQL Server 
attachability; core settings; AppAssure license details, constraints, 
license pool information, and license server information; backup 
and restore functionality for core settings; and core job settings.
Protected Machines 
menuThe Protected Machines menu appears in the left navigation area of 
the UI. The icon represents a single machine. In this menu, you can 
view any protected machines, protected clusters, or replicated 
machines configured in your Core. If you have any protected groups 
or recovery point-only machines, these also appear in this menu.
You can collapse or expand the view for any of these objects in your 
Core by clicking the arrow on the left side of these categories.
From the Protected Machines menu, you can perform all actions 
that were previously accessible only from the Machines tab.
If you click the Protected Machines menu, the Machines tab 
appears, showing all protected machines on this Core in the 
Protected Machines pane. For more information, see Viewing the 
protected machines menu.
Replicated Machines 
menuIf replicating machines from another AppAssure Core, the name of 
that Core appears as a separate menu under the Protected 
Machines menu. The icon portrays replication from one machine to 
many machines. This menu lists each replicated machine.
You can collapse or expand the view for any of these objects in your 
Core by clicking the arrow on the left side of these categories.
From the Replicated Machines menu, you can perform actions on all 
replicated machines. 
If you click the Replicated Machines menu, the Machines tab 
appears, showing all replicated machines on this Core in the 
Replicated Machines pane. For more information, see Viewing the 
replicated machines menu.
Recovery Points Only 
menuIf any machines previously protected on the Core were removed 
from protection, but the recovery points were not deleted, then 
the Recovery Points Only menu appears. The icon represents a 
single machine.
You can collapse or expand the view for any of these objects in your 
Core by clicking the arrow on the left side of these categories.
From the Recovery Points Only menu, you can remove the recovery 
points for all the recovery-points only machines on this Core.
If you click the Recovery Points Only menu, the Machines tab 
appears, showing the machines from which the recovery points 
were saved. For more information, see Viewing the Recovery Points 
Only menu. Table 2. UI elements included in the Core Console
UI Element Description 
						

							Dell AppAssure User Guide
Version 5.4.3 Revision B25 Complete the following steps to access the AppAssure Core Console.
To access the AppAssure Core Console
•Perform one of the following to access the AppAssure Core Console:
a Log in locally to your AppAssure Core server, and then double click the Core Console icon.
b Or, type one of the following URLs in your Web browser:
•https://:8006/apprecovery/admin/ or
•https://:8006/apprecovery/admin/
Navigating the Core Console
When you log into the Core Console, and any time you click the Home icon or tab, the Home tab appears and is 
automatically selected. You can navigate to any other tab by clicking the tab name or the corresponding icon.
The other tabs accessible from the Core include Replication, Virtual Standby, Events, Tools, and Configuration. 
When you select a protected machine or replicated machine, the focus of the Core Console changes to display 
information about the selected machine only, rather than the Core.
Tabs accessible from a protected or replicated agent include Summary (replacing the Home tab), Recovery 
Points, Events, Tools, and Configuration. Custom Groups 
menuIf your Core includes any custom groups, then the left navigation 
area includes a Custom Group menu. This icon represents a label, 
which is the property you can use to name a custom group.
You can collapse or expand the view for any of these objects in your 
Core by clicking the arrow on the left side of these categories.
From the Custom Groups menu, you can perform actions for like 
items in the group.
If you click the Custom Groups menu, the Machines tab appears, 
showing a pane for each of the AppAssure objects that appear in 
your group: protected machines, replicated machines, and recovery 
points-only machines. For more information, see Viewing the 
Custom Groups menu.
Context-sensitive 
helpFrom the AppAssure Core Console, each time you click the Help icon (a blue 
question mark), a resizable browser window opens with two frames. The 
left frame contains a navigation tree showing topics from the Dell 
AppAssure User Guide. The right frame displays content for the selected 
help topic. At any given time, the help navigation tree expands to show the 
location in its hierarchy for the selected topic. You can browse through all 
User Guide topics using this context-sensitive help feature. Close the 
browser when you are done browsing topics.
You can also open help from the Help option of the Help menu.
NOTE: Because the AppAssure Core Console UI is dependent on JavaScript, the Web browser 
you use to access the Core Console must have JavaScript enabled.
If you have changed the default port for the AppAssure service, update the port in the URL 
above accordingly. Table 2. UI elements included in the Core Console
UI Element Description 
						

							Dell AppAssure User Guide
Version 5.4.3 Revision B26 To return to viewing information about the Core, including views of multiple protected or replicated machines, 
click on the Home icon on the top left of the UI.
For information about the features and functions available from each tab, see the appropriate section below.
For more information on viewing protected machines, see Viewing the protected machines menu. For more 
information on managing protected machines, see Managing protected machines.
For more information on viewing replicated machines, see Monitoring replication.
Viewing the Home tab
The Home tab is only applicable to the Core. It displays all of the machines the Core protects, as well as all 
associated repositories and alerts for those machines. You can reach the Home tab by clicking the tab or on the 
house icon above the machines column on the left of the page. The following table describes the various 
elements on the Home tab.
NOTE: Any time you see the Home tab, you are viewing information about the Core. If you see a Summary 
tab, you are viewing information about a single machine protected by or replicated in the Core. If you see 
a Machines tab, you are viewing information about all of the machines protected by or replicated in the 
AppAssure Core. If you see a Recovery Points tab, you are viewing information about a recovery points 
only machine in the Core.
Table 3. Home tab options
UI Element Description
Protected Machines The Protected Machines menu lists the machines that this Core protects.
•If you click the Protected Machines menu, the Machines tab appears, 
showing the Protected Machines pane. For more information on what you 
can accomplish on the Machines tab, see Viewing the Machines tab for a 
protected machine.
•If you click on a specific machine under the Protected Machines menu, 
the Summary tab appears, showing summary information for that 
machine. For more information on what you can accomplish on the 
Summary tab, see Viewing the Summary tab.
Replicated Machines If you see the name of another AppAssure Core under the Protected Machines 
menu, this is the Replicated Machines menu. This menu lists the machines this 
Core protects through replication, which means this Core is the target core for 
the listed protected machines. The section includes the following information 
for each replicated machine:
•If you click the Replicated Machines menu, the Machines tab appears, 
showing the Replicated Machines pane. For more information on what you 
can accomplish on the Machines tab, see Viewing the Machines tab for a 
protected machine.
•If you click on a specific replicated machine under the Replicated 
Machines menu, the Summary tab appears, showing summary information 
for that machine. For more information on what you can accomplish on 
the Summary tab, see Viewing the Summary tab.
For more information about replication, see Understanding replication. 
						

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Viewing the Replication tab
The Replication tab lets you view and change details for cores that are configured to transfer replicated data 
with your current Core. You can also view and change details for the machines being replicated. The layout of 
the tab is the same whether your core serves as a source core or a target core, so there are sections designated 
for both situations. 
You can reach the Replication tab by clicking the tab or the Replication icon that resembles a split computer 
monitor above the machines column on the left of the page. The following table provides descriptions of the 
sections and capabilities available on the Replication tab.Recovery Points Only Recovery points only machines are machines that you no longer protect with an 
AppAssure Core, but for which you continue to store recovery points. If you 
remove a machine from protection but choose to keep the recovery points, that 
machine is then listed under Recovery Points Only. These can be used for file-
level recovery, but cannot be used for bare metal restore, for restoring entire 
volumes, or for adding snapshot data. This section includes the following 
information for each recovery points only machine:
•Status. There is no status indicator for recovery points-only machines, 
because there is no connection with the machine.
• Machine Name. The display name of the machine for which you kept 
recovery points.
• Repository. The name of the repository storing the recovery points for 
that machine.
• Last Snapshot. The time at which AppAssure took the most recent 
recovery point for that machine.
•Recovery Points. The number of recovery points stored in the repository 
for that machine.
• Total Protected Space. The amount of space the recovery points for this 
machine use in the repository.
Repositories This section lists all of the repositories this Core uses for storing recovery points. 
It includes the following information for each repository:
•Status. Colored circles in the Status column show whether the repository 
is mounted and can accept recovery point transfers.
• Repository Name. The display name of the repository.
•Total Size. The total amount of space in the repository.
• Free Space. The amount of space available in the repository.
•Protected Data. The amount of used space in the repository.
• Machines. The number of machines for which the repository stores 
recovery points.
•Recovery Points. The number of recovery points stored in the repository.
• Compression Ratio. The rate at which the repository compresses the 
protected data to save space.
For more information, see Understanding repositories.
Alerts This section lists the alerts for the Core and every machine it protects. The 
section includes the following information:
•Icons. The column of icons indicates the nature of the alert.
•Date. Displays the date and time of when AppAssure issued the alert.
•Message. Describes the alert.
You can also see these details on the Core Events tab. For more information, see 
Viewing tasks, alerts, and events. Table 3. Home tab options
UI Element Description 
						

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Version 5.4.3 Revision B28 Table 4. Replication tab options
UI Element Description
Outgoing Replication The section displays the core or cores that are replicating data to a remote 
target core. Displayed information includes the following:
• Target Core Name. The name of the Core to which your current source is 
replicating data.
•State. The state of the replication pairing; for example, Established 
indicates a successful pairing between the source and target cores so that 
transfers can take place.
• Machines. This column lists the number of protected machines or agents 
being replicated to the target core.
•Progress. When a replication job occurs, this column displays a bar with 
which you can monitor the progress of the job.
Incoming Replication The section displays the core or cores from which the current core is receiving 
replicated data (for example, if you are in the Core Console of a target core). 
Displayed information includes the following:
• Target Core Name. The name of the Core from which your current source 
receiving replicated data.
•State. The state of the replication pairing; for example, Established 
indicates a successful pairing between the source and target cores so that 
transfers can take place.
• Machines. This column lists the number of protected machines or agents 
your current core is replicating.
•Progress. When a replication job occurs, this column displays a bar with 
which you can monitor the progress of the job.
Add Target Core Use this button to add a target core to which you can replicate. For more 
information, see Configuring replication.
NOTE: You cannot add a source core from a target core.
Settings Use this button to change the settings for all incoming or outgoing replication. 
For more information, see Managing replication settings.
> (Core) The expand button next to the name of a core displays the protected machines 
or agents being replicated. It includes the following details:
•Agent Name. The name of the protected machine.
•State. The state of the pairing between this machine and the target core; 
for example, the state of Established indicates a successful pairing with 
which transfer can occur.
•Status. This column is present only for agents that appear under target 
cores and displays whether the machine is “Not yet replicated” or “In 
Sync as of [date time].”
•Progress. When a replication job occurs, this column displays a bar with 
which you can monitor the progress of the job.
> (Agent) This bracket appears only next to agents listed under a target core. It expands a 
list of the recovery points that were replicated from that machine. For more 
information, see Step 2 in Viewing recovery points.