CrashPlan - Getting Started


Introduction

All Division of IT personnel are now licensed to use CrashPlan as a user endpoint backup solution to meet Virginia Tech’s Minimum-Security Requirements, supported by the University Desktop Backup Service. 

All DoIT personnel should install the CrashPlan app.

CrashPlan is configured by default to backup up user files from enrolled endpoints. Operating system files and Applications are not backed up. 

Examples of excluded file types are:

    • Applications and their corresponding configuration files
    • Browser temporary files
    • Temporary files
    • System logs
    • System and Application configuration files

 

User Endpoints Managed by FASTR via Intune or Jamf will have the CrashPlan application preinstalled as part of a standard configuration. 

If you have a Division of IT endpoint that is not enrolled in one of these two services, please submit a ServiceNow Incident to FASTR at 4help.vt.edu to have CrashPlan installed on your machine before continuing.

Instructions

Starting Your Backup

  1. Launch the CrashPlan app (included in the standard configuration for Division user endpoints).
  2. In the CrashPlan window that opens, enter:
    • Username = YourPID@vt.edu
    • Server Address (if prompted) = clients.us2.crashplan.com 
  3. Your default browser should open to a Virginia Tech login page where you will enter your PID and password. You may also be prompted to 2-Factor authenticate if you have not done so in that browser recently.
  4. Upon successfully entering your credentials, the browser window should display a message saying “Sign in successful. The CrashPlan app will be signed in automatically. You can close this window.”
  5. After navigating back to the CrashPlan application:
    1. If this is your first device being backed up, your initial backup should begin.
    2. If you have an existing backup associated with your CrashPlan account, you may be prompted to add a new device or replace an existing device, select “Add New Device” unless you are sure you wish to overwrite the backup of another endpoint.

 

Please note, the initial backup of the device can take quite some time depending on number and size of the files being uploaded as well as the speed of your network; it is recommended that you leave your device powered on and connected to a network until the initial backup completes.

For any questions or issues, please submit an incident at 4help.vt.edu for FASTR.