Document Number: OSUP1047
Product: 9.x or greater
Date: 9-28-2006
Title: Backing up Observer Files When Moving Observer to a New System

In order to make a complete backup of your Observer and move it to your new machine you must do the following. Please keep in mind that you should not restore these files on the new machine until after Observer has been installed on the new machine.

Files and Folders to backup:
(Note: v9 default install directory is C:\Observer Files\, while v10 and higher has a default directory of C:\Program Files\Observer (32-bit) and C:\Program Files (x86)\Observer (64-bit))

Network Trending
– C:\Program Files\Observer\NetworkTrending (Directory) This contains your Network Trending Data. Make a backup if you have trending data.
Note that if you have changed the default location for Network Trending data, you will have to back up the new location as well.
 v9 (Options->General Options, Trending tab) - v10/11 (Options-> Observer General Options, Folders tab)

SNMP
– C:\Program Files\Observer\SNMP (directory) This contains any custom MIBs, Compiled MIBs, Request Files and SNMP Trending Data. Make a backup if you have made SNMP changes or have SNMP Trending data.
Note that if you have changed the default location for SNMP data, you will have to back up the new location as well.
 v9 (Options->General Options, SNMP tab) - v10/11 (Options-> Observer General Options, Folders tab)

Address Tables
– C:\Program Files\Observer\LocalAddressTable (directory).  This contains your Discover Network Names list. Make a backup if you have run Discover Network Names and have saved the alias list.

- C:\Program Files\Observer\ProbeAddressTable (directory).  This contains the Discover Network Names list from any remote Probes that this console has connected to. Make a back up if you have run remote Discover Network Names and saved the alias list.

Web Reports
- C:\Program Files\Observer\WebExt\Reports (directory).  This contains the Trending Reports generated by the Web Reports Schedule.  Make a backup if you have Web Reports data.

Protocol Distribution Lists
- C:\Program Files\Observer\FrameType.dat (file).  This contains any changes made to the Protocol Distribution List of protocols for Frame Type. Make a backup if you have made changes to the Frame Type list in Protocol Distribution.

- C:\Program Files\Observer\TcpList.dat (file).  This contains any changes made to the Protocol Distribution List of protocols for TCP Protocols. Make a backup if you have made changes to the TCP list in Protocol Distribution.

- C:\Program Files\Observer\UdpList.dat (file).  This contains any changes made to the Protocol Distribution List of protocols for UDP Protocols. Make a backup if you have made changes to the UDP list in Protocol Distribution.

Host List for Triggers and Alarms
– C:\Program Files\Observer\HOSTS (file).  This contains the host list for Triggers and Alarms. Make a backup if you have modified the HOSTS file for Triggers and Alarms.

Scripts
– C:\Program Files\Observer\Scripts (directory).  This contains the scripts for Switched Observer. Make a backup if you have created or modified a script.

Remote Probe Redirection List
- C:\Program Files\Observer\Probe.Names (file).  This contains the list of probes from the Remote Probe Administration and Redirection dialog.  Make a backup if you would like to save the list of remote probes and associated login credentials.



Registry Backup:
Using Regedit export the following key:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Network Instruments

64-bit Windows OS:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Wow6432Node\Network Instruments

License
If you do not have access to your original licensing information document, please make note of the licensing information using Help-> License Observer-> OK.  Document the Contact/Department, Company, Identification Number, and License Number.
Note that the registry backup will retain this information, however it would be good practice to have this information on hand.

After you have installed Observer copy all the files overtop of the new installation and import the registry key. This will provide a complete backup of directories where you have stored data and files you may have modified.