How do I back up an entire computer or server using Active Backup for Business?

Purpose

This article shows you how to back up your entire Windows/Mac computer or Windows/Linux server using Active Backup for Business.

Environment

Your DSM is running Active Backup for Business 2.2.0 and above.

Resolution

Before you start

Make sure that your device is running one of the supported Windows/Linux operating systems listed in Operating System requirements.
Go to the Download Center and download the latest Synology Active Backup for Business Agent installer on the device that you want to back up.
Don't configure the agent until after you configure a backup template in the Active Backup for Business console.

Creating a backup task

Active Backup for Business automatically recognizes connected devices and creates a backup task if a device matches a preset template.

To back up Windows/Mac computers or Windows/Linux servers:

In DSM, go to Active Backup for Business > Settings > Template.
Select the Default template for Windows platform and PC/Mac device type, then click Edit to modify the backup settings. Click Create if you want to configure an additional PC/Mac or physical server backup template.
Your template settings will be applied to every connected device that matches the template. For more details on all available backup settings, refer to the PC/Mac and Physical Server help pages.
Launch the Active Backup for Business Agent on the device you want to back up, then enter the IP address and the administrator's credentials of your Synology NAS.
Click Connect to connect to your Synology NAS.¹
In Active Backup for Business, go to PC/Mac or Physical Server. Your device should already be listed.
Go to Task List and make sure that a backup task has been created for your device according to the previously configured template.
To create a new backup task, go to PC/Mac or Physical Server, select your device, and click Create Task.
If you want to back up your Windows computer as a physical server, select the device and click More > Change device type. Once you have changed the device type to Physical Server, it cannot be changed back.
To change the backup settings for your device, go to Task List, select the relevant task, then click Edit. Here, you can modify your backup source, encryption and compression settings, backup schedule, retention policy, and restore privileges.²

Notes:

If you are connecting your device to an external IP or using DDNS, make sure that port 5510 on your Synology NAS is enabled.
To save storage space, we suggest setting up a retention policy. To learn more about retention policies, refer to Select Retention Policy.
Operating System requirements:
1. Requirements for Windows backup:
  - Supported Windows editions:
    - Windows 11 (all editions)
    - Windows 10 Creators Update (all editions)
    - Windows 10 (all editions)
    - Windows 8.1 (all editions)
    - Windows 7 SP1 (all editions)
    - Windows Server 2019
    - Windows Server 2016
    - Windows Server 2012 R2
    - Windows Server 2012
    - Windows Server 2008 R2
  - Supported file systems:
    - NTFS
  - Required network port: 5510
2. Requirements for Linux backup:
  - Supports kernel versions between 2.6 and 5.15
  - Supported Linux 64 bit distributions:
    - CentOS: 6.10, 7.8, 8.1, 8.5
    - RHEL: 6.10, 7.8, 7.9, 8.1, 8.4, 8.5
    - Ubuntu: 16.04, 18.04, 20.04, 22.04
    - Fedora: 30, 31, 32
    - Debian: 8.0, 9.0, 10, 11
  - Supported file systems:
    - ext2
    - ext3
    - ext4
    - XFS
  - Required components on the target device:
    - make 4.1 or above
    - libaio 0.3.110 or above
    - dkms 2.2.0.3 or above
    - gcc 4.8.2 or above

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