Backing up iBase

Like any critical system, it's important to make and maintain regular backups of your iBase databases. This part of the documentation describes how and when to make backups, and provides guidance on establishing a backup policy.

As well as the database itself, which can be in Microsoft Access or SQL Server format, iBase uses a number of files to store configuration and other data. Backing up iBase requires you to consider all parts of the system.

Database folder

iBase's database folder contains the main database files (for Access) or connection files (for SQL Server). This folder also contains the security file, the log file, and the word search index for Microsoft Access databases.

Shared application data folder

iBase stores files that are shared by all users in Windows' shared folder for application data. Specifically, the folder contains database templates (although the installation can be customized so that workgroup templates are held in a different folder) and icon lists.

Note: Users do not write to this folder, but to their own areas for application data. See Installation and Application Data Folders for details.

SQL Server databases

For an iBase installation that uses SQL Server, you must back up the databases that store the iBase data. These databases include the main database, the security database, and the audit log database.

For more information, see Backing up SQL Server databases.

Other information

Every installation of iBase is different, and you might have additional files or databases that you need to back up. For example, for Microsoft Access databases, there might be separate folders for archive log files. For SQL Server databases, there might be separate databases that contain archived data.