Overview
CrashPlan is ASC's backup client.
This article will cover getting the CrashPlan client, installing the client, and performing a restore.
If you have any questions, please reach out to ASCTech to ensure your client is configured correctly.
Contents
Every ASCTech configured Windows PC or Macintosh should have the client already installed.
If you are adding or reinstalling the client, there are two ways to obtain the CrashPlan client:
From Software Center (Windows) or Self Service (Macintosh):
- Installing from Software Center or Self Service has the advantage of not needing administrative access.
- Windows:
- In the "Type here to search" box, type: Software Center and launch it.
- Under "Applications" find CrashPlan, click it and select "Install".
- Macintosh:
- In Applications, launch "Self Service".
- Select the "Software" category, and install "CrashPlan".
- If you do not have the Windows or Mac ASC software distribution contact ASCTech.
- Important: configure the client from your lastname.#@osu.edu account, not an administrative or service account.
- If not installed from the lasntname.#@osu.edu account, by default CrashPlan will not back up the main user's files.
- If you are logged into an administrative account go ahead and exit, and log into the lastname.#@osu.edu account.
Initial Log In
- If not already open, launch CrashPlan to configure it by left clicking on the
icon in the task bar, click "Sign in to CrashPlan".
- Windows: this will be in the lower right, left of the clock, you may have to click on to see it.
- Macintosh: this will be in the upper right, left of the clock.
- Enter your lastname.#@osu.edu for the usename and clients.us2.crashplan.com for the server address if it doesn't auto-fill.
- CrashPlan will prompt for a password (it may take several seconds), and then after entering the password it will send a Duo push.
- CrashPlan will ask if you want to "Add New Device" or "Replace Existing":
- "Add New Device" if your computer isn't replacing a previous computer.
- "Replace Existing" will give you the opportunity to restore files from the previous device, and then "inherit previous backup". This has the advantages:
- You will have access to all the old versions of file on that device.
- If the files are the same, they won't need to need to be backed up again, saving a lot of time.
- There won't be a duplicate archive saving space on the server.
- The status email for the old device will stop.
- Important: do not replace an existing device and keep using the old device, as CrashPlan won't know which machine is the primary.
- If you need assistance in restoring files or choosing contact ASCTech.
At this point backups should begin with the default file set of most files in the home directory.
Checking Backup Selections
By default CrashPlan backs up most files in the user's home directory. It is good practice to verify that what you want backed up is being backed up.
- Click the block "C" on the Windows taskbar (you may need to click the ^ to see it) or the top menu bar of a Macintosh.
- Click the gear icon and "Open CrashPlan..."
- From the main screen click "Manage Files..."
- Double check that all files you wanted backed up have a check mark next to them.
If you need help with this contact ASCTech.
Advanced Configuration / Launching the Full Client
Generally, we strongly recommend using the default settings, if you need assistance please contact ASCTech.
CrashPlan has many options when the full client is launched. To launch the full client, left click the 
icon, click the gear icon, and select "Open CrashPlan..."
On Windows, in the CrashPlan menu bar, click on "Tools", and select "Options".
On the Macintosh, next to the Apple menu, click on "CrashPlan", and select "Preferences".
Some options in tools/preferences that may be of interest include:
- General tab: Device Name: Please keep the ASCTech name, but you can put a friendly identifier after it.
- Network tab: Bandwidth usage can be limited, and backup can be disabled on certain wireless networks.
- Security tab: A password can be required when the full client is launched.
Other options are in the "Details" pane. If you are at the "Home" screen, click on the "Details" button, next to the current machine, then click on gear icon.the "Manage Files" button. Here you can hange the frequency that CrashPlan backs up and the number of versions it keeps and exclude certain types of files.
See "Related Articles" for doing a restore from the CrashPlan Web Console.
To restore files launch the client by left clicking on the 
icon in the task bar, then the gear icon and "Open CrashPlan...". (Windows: this will be in the lower left, left of the clock, you may have to click on 
to see it. Macintosh: this will be in the upper left, left of the clock.)
Machines attached to your account will be listed like so:
Click on get files for the machine whose files are needed - they will be restored to the machine you are using.
You will see a list of directories that are on the server:
Note:
- Browse to where the directory or file is that you want to restore.
- The magnifying glass searches for file names.
- "As Of Today" can select a different snapshot in time, if you need an older version.
- "..." has the option to show deleted files, and to show hidden files.
Once the directory or file is selected, click "Get Files...", and the options screen will pop up:
The defaults are generall fine, but the options are:
- Save selected files - files can be saved to the Desktop, Downloads or their Orignal Location.
- If the files exists, conflicts can be Renamed or Overwritten.
- Permissions can be set to Current or Original.
Click "Go", and CrashPlan will process your restore. Depending on the network, size, and number of files, this may take some time.
How do I know I'm being backed up?
- A weekly email summary is sent with each device, the total files/size selected, the percent backed up, and last completed time, and last activity. It is important to glance at this email and contact ASCTech if you have questions.
- An alternate check is left clicking on the
icon, it should have a green check mark next to "PROe Cloud, US" and say backup complete.
- The web console (https://go.osu.edu/crashplan) will list all your devices and their status, as well.
Can I select / see what is backed up?
Yes, launch the full client:
- Click on the "Manage Files" button. (Note the "...", if you need to see hidden files.)
- Important: If you uncheck a directory or file you will get a serious warning popup "Delete Files from Backup". It isn't kidding: unchecking a directory or file will not only stop backing it up but will remove all copies from CrashPlan irrecoverably!
- At this point you can select/deselect which directories or files you want backed up.
- If you have any questions please contact ASCTech.
Can I pause backups for a little while?
Yes, left click the 
icon, click the gear icon, select "Pause all backups", and choose a duration.