#TechieTuesday: Macrium Site Manager Update
Macrium Site Manager Update
The latest version of Macrium Site Manager was released in this month. We are happy to start the year like this.
Are not you familiar with Site Manager?
Macrium Site Manager is our central management console for endpoint backup of your site. This tool is ideal for IT Administrators who need to see their backup status at a glance, along with easy problem identification and resolution. It allows you to define what needs to be backed up, assign schedules and retention policies, and manage backup repositories. It includes comprehensive event management, alerts and security logging and it is accessible through a browser-based user interface. The architecture leverages commonly used Microsoft Windows technologies and requires no specialist skills to install and configure.
In the previous release, a new look & feel of the customisable dashboard was included and the ability to open image files. More info here.
The features added in v7.2.3971 include:
- Updated Agent to use Reflect 7.2 technology including updated CBT drivers
Improved Changed Block Tracker allows you to reduce the amount of time it takes to perform incremental and differential images by monitoring the changes to an NTFS formatted volume in real-time. This is especially relevant when a file system contains very large files, such as virtual hard disk (VHD) files, where speed improvements are significant and can reduce Incremental image time from hours to minutes or even seconds.
- WinRE based restore environment
We’ve added a Rescue Media Builder (RMBuilder) application with support for Windows Recovery Environment (WinRE) as well as the existing PE environments supported by Reflect 7.1 and earlier. When building rescue media, the new wizard will be used, the restore from Site Manager will automatically use WinRE if available.
- Added CSV export to license and event log pages
We added a new button to export the event logs. When you are in the log section, you will find it in the top right corner, just next to the filter button.
- Added clear event log facility
We added a button that allows you to clear the event log. When you are in the event log section, you will find it in the top right corner, next to export.
Event Log is all the actions that have been taken by the Site Manager or by users in the console. This allows administrators to review activity for auditing, security or reporting purposes.
- Added Azure repository type
We’ve added a new repository type — Azure Storage Account. This one enables you to use an Azure share as a backup repository.
As you can see there are other types of repository backend available: Network Share, Amazon AWS Storage Gateway, Local Repository
A repository is a storage location with a standardized folder layout and some tracking information. Each repository contains backup information such as storage location, network access information, credentials required to access the resource and other basic storage management.
Repositories are required in order to use the central backup scheduling and queuing facilities in Site Manager. Once a repository has been set up, a Backup Definition can be configured to back up to the Repository according to a Schedule.
- Added default install credentials for remote Agent install to settings
When you install an agent onto a remote PC you need login credentials. You can now save them in Site Manager if they are the same across multiple PCs, so you don’t have to type the same thing over and over.
What else changed?
- Improved dashboard loading performance
- Improved forecast performance
- Updated event log page to improve look and performance
- Improved internal repository credential handling
- Made repository sync errors clearer
What was fixed?
- Fixed issue preventing backups on some headless Windows Server Core systems
- Fixed Site Manager not using HTTPS-only cookies when configured to use HTTPS
- Fixed Repository browsing not picking up changes when whole folders were manually deleted from repositories
- Fixed crash on startup when encountering corrupt image files
Find more information about Macrium Site Manager in our User Guide
Download a Trial of Site Manager
MSM is available at no cost and includes a 30-Day Trial for 5 workstations and 1 server. Additional machines and trial period extensions are available on request. Existing standalone Reflect installations can be managed indefinitely.
