Working with Pathfinder PC Backups

Scope

Whenever changes are made to the configuration, Pathfinder Server will make a backup before committing any changes, so there's always a way to undo. Here, we'll show you what to do with the backup files when something goes wrong. In this example, we will be restoring a stacking event that has been misconfigured, corrupted, or deleted.

The PathfinderServer Directory

Locate the PathfinderServer directory in your PC's C:/Program Files (x86) folder.

You'll find directories containing your stacking events, panel configurations, etc. in this directory along with the Backup folder. The Backup folder contains copies of the configurations found in the previously mentioned folders.

To Restore a Stack Event

  1. First, go to the C:/Program Files (x86)/PFStackEvents folder and determine which stacking event needs to be restored. In this example, we will be restoring the Testing stack event.
If the file exists for your corrupt stack event, it might be a good idea to rename and move this file to a safe location just in case you need it later.
  1. After identifying the stack event you are restoring (or is missing), go to the Backup folder and find the newest appropriate backup and make a copy of the .xml file.
  2. Edit the .xml file so that the second from last line (labeled Version) shows the current system time. This makes the restored configuration the most recent version of the stack event.
The Version is especially important if you have a clustered Pathfinder system. Since the restore is the "most recent version," this will be the one shared across the cluster. Otherwise, the cluster may undo your work if the more recent version in the alternate server is corrupt.
  1. Finally, replace the appropriate .xml file in the PFStackEvent folder with the edited backup .xml file, renaming it as the original file.

Notice: You can use this method to replace any of the configuration XML files in the PathfinderServer directories. You could also copy the entire PathfinderServer directory and keep that as a backup for your entire system as well.

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