Backing Up the Database

WINS Manager provides backup tools so that you can back up the WINS database. After you specify a backup directory for the database, WINS performs complete database backups every 24 hours, using the specified directory.

To back up a WINS database

  1. From the Mappings menu, choose the Backup Database command to display the Select Backup Directory dialog box.

  1. Specify the location for saving the backup files.

Windows NT proposes a subdirectory of the \WINS directory. You can accept this proposed directory. The most secure location is to back up the database on another hard disk. Do not back up to a network drive, because WINS Manager cannot restore from a network source.

  1. If you want to back up only the newest version numbers in the database (that is, changes that have occurred since the last backup), select the Perform Incremental Backup checkbox.

Note You must have performed a complete backup before this option can be used successfully.

  1. Choose the OK button.

You should also periodically back up the Registry entries for the WINS server.

To back up the WINS Registry entries

  1. Run the REGEDT32.EXE program from File Manager or Program Manager to start the Registry Editor.
  2. In Registry Editor, select the HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE window, and then select the following key:

..SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Services\WINS

  1. From the Registry menu, choose the Save Key command to display the Save Key dialog box.
  2. Specify the path where you store backup versions of the WINS database files.

For information about restoring the WINS database, see the following section, "Troubleshooting WINS."