Ahsay Backup
Learn how to use Ahsay Backup to store data on the ScPrime distributed datacenter using the XNS Relayer.
Overview
Ahsay Backup is an enterprise-grade white label software solution used to manage backups from a central location and supports protection of data on all major operating systems and platforms including Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, QNAP, and Synology. Ahsay is a great solution for MSP’s or consultants providing managed backup services to their customers and clients. Large enterprises can also utilize the software as an on-premise solution. Ahsay can be used as a pure SaaS solution however its true potential lies in its capability to run as a self-hosted system and pairs nicely with XNS storage for granular control over data storage location.
Read this guide for how to configure Ahsay to backup to XNS.
Prerequisites
- Install and patch Linux. Note: Ubuntu was used to create this guide, however most top tier Linux distributions should work well. Additionally, all software referenced in this guide has a Windows compatible version
- Install and configure ScPrime’s XNS Relayer v2.0.0 or later – follow the guide for your OS: Linux | Windows
- Install Ahsay’s self-hosted server either on the same server as the XNS Relayer or on another server with a fast connection to the Relayer: Ahsay Installation Guides
- Configure the XNS Relayer’s “Endpoint Access Key (Username)” and “Endpoint Secret Key (Password)”
Considerations
- By default, Ahsay Backup requires a valid SSL certificate issued by a CA to communicate with the S3-compatible storage. Therefore the XNS Relayer will need to be configured to use a valid SSL certificate. The self-signed certificate that is pre-configured with the XNS Relayer will not work.
- This guide assumes that Ahsay Backup and the XNS Relayer are installed on the same server, however that is not a requirement.
- This guide does not cover security configuration and assumes the reader is knowledgeable and capable of applying security best practices to ensure the environment and underlying data are safeguarded.
Application Version Used in Guide
AhsayCBS v9.5.4.0 (Ahsay Server)
Setup Guide
Step 1: Login to the AhsayCBS Server (Ahsay)
Configure the Ahsay Server to take advantage of ScPrime’s distributed datacenter by going to the Ahsay Admin Portal at https://127.0.0.1:443 By default, the Ahsay Server listens for connections over HTTP and HTTPS on ports 80 and 443 respectively. If this was a fresh Ahsay install, the default username and password is “system” for both:
Step 2: Add a Predefined Destination
From the Ahsay dashboard, find the “System Settings” section, then select Basic:
On the next screen, select the Predefined Destinations tab, then Click the Plus (+) symbol to create a new Predefined Destination:
Step 3: Configure the Predefined Destination to use ScPrime’s Distributed Datacenter
From the “Destination Storage” drop-down menu, select AWS S3 Compatible Cloud Storage from the list:
Step 4: Configure S3-compatible Storage Settings
On the same screen, there are several items that need to be configured including the S3 Compatible settings:
| Name: | [Enter a Name] | Enter a descriptive name e.g., “ScPrime Distributed Datacenter” |
| Host: | [FQDN] | Enter the domain name that points to your XNS Relayer and matches your SSL Certificate. Self-signed certificate will not work e.g., “xns-relayer.yourdomain.com” |
| Port: | [Your Port #] | Port needs to match the XNS Relayer – 9000 is the default |
| Access Key ID: | [Your Access Key] | This is defined in the XNS Relayer setting “Endpoint Access Key (Username)” |
| Secret Access Key: | [Your Secret Key] | This is defined in the XNS Relayer setting “Endpoint Secret Key (Password)” |
| Bucket Name: | [Your Bucket Name] | Create the bucket first in the XNS Relayer. Ahsay will not create it |
Tick the “Connect with SSL” checkbox.
Click Test when done. Ahsay will respond with an “OK” message if everything is configured properly.
After successfully testing, click the Plus (+) symbol to add the Predefined Destination.
The resulting configuration should look similar to the following:
Click Save (floppy disk icon) when done and you should be returned to the main Ahsay dashboard.
Step 5: Add the Predefined Destination to the Default Settings Policy
From the Ahsay dashboard, find the “Backup / Restore” section, then select Users, Groups & Policies:
Select the Policy Group tab and click Default settings:
Select the Backup Set Settings menu option:
Find the toggle switch to the right side of the “Destinations Visible to Users” section and make sure it’s ON (slide right).
In the “Predefined Destination” section, click the Plus (+) symbol:
Tick the checkbox next to the Predefined Destination created in the previous steps in this guide, then click the Plus (+) symbol:
On the next screen, tick the checkbox next to the Name of the “Predefined Destination”, then click Save near the bottom of the screen (floppy disk icon):
After these settings are applied, user account setup in Ahsay will by default be able to choose the Predefined Destination.
Step 6: Create a Backup User and Perform a Backup
This guide will not cover the details of creating a new Backup User as Ahsay’s documentation is comprehensive. However, the basic steps are:
- Create a new Backup User
- Configure the Backup User to use the Backup Client: “AhsayOBM User”
- Download and install the AhsayOBM software for Windows and install on a workstation
- Open the AhsayOBM client and choose Backup Sets:
- Add a new Backup Set on the next screen.
- Choose the “Source” files, set a backup schedule, etc.
- Add the “New Storage Destination / Destination Pool” and choose the Predefined Destination created earlier in this guide. With this setup, clients/customers don’t need to configure storage:
At the end of the Backup Set configuration, choose the “Backup Now” option to run the backup. Data is distributed securely out to ScPrime’s Distributed Datacenter:
Note: The above screen shot is taken from a laptop with a wireless connection, used only for demo purposes to create this guide. ScPrime’s XNS Relayer is tuned for performance and can nearly saturate a 10Gbps connection if given the proper resources.
Step 7: Conclusion
Ahsay Backup is one of the most comprehensive backup solutions on the market. Although not shown in this guide, Ahsay provides backup clients for workstations, servers, network shares, NAS devices, Android, iOs, and all major operating systems. Using Ahsay with the XNS Relayer and ScPrime’s Distributed Datacenter provides a highly performant, enterprise-grade data protection solution.
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