Backup - Data Compression

With this option files can be compressed into a ZIP file in the Backup copy mode.

AllSync Profile Properties - Data Backup - ZIP Data Compression

Features

The size of the ZIP archive can reach up to 18 million terabytes
Up to 4 billion files can be stored within a ZIP archive
The ZIP file can be encrypted and password-protected with AES 256-bit encryption
Split ZIP file into more than one archive
Stores Unicode filenames in the ZIP archive
Stores file permissions in the ZIP archive
Supports UNC paths

Limitations

Files with a path length longer than 260 characters can't be compressed
Backing up empty folders into a ZIP archive isn't possible

Tip

You can compress files with a path length longer than 260 characters by shorten the path length. The profile property Drives enables you to assign the long paths with a drive letter to shorten the path length.

Format expression for ZIP file name
Options
Data Compression
Compression Method
File Splitting
Encryption
Temp Folder

Format expression for ZIP file name

The name of the ZIP file is determined via the Format expression field. The following placeholders can be used in the name:

Placeholders	Description
%P%	Profile name
%S%	Last folder name of source path
%KW%	German calendar week according to DIN 1355
Format characters	Date and Time
Environment variables	Windows variables

If you want to use normal text, it has to be inserted in double quotes so that it isn't incorrectly interpreted as a placeholder for date and time.

Formatting examples:

Format expression	Result
"%P%" (yy_mm_dd hh_nn_ss)	PROFILE NAME (01_12_24 16_10_08)
{yy-mm-dd hh-nn-ss} "%P%"	{01-12-24 16-10-08} profile name
"Backup of %p% on" yyyy-mm-dd "at" hh_nn_ss	Backup of PROFILE NAME on 2001-11-12 at 10_15_00
"Backup" dddd	Backup Monday
"Backup %KW%.week" dd.mm.yyyy	Backup 32.week 08.08.2005

Options

Delete existing ZIP file

This option enables an existing ZIP file of the same name to be deleted prior to backup.

Save file permissions

This option causes the file permissions to be saved in the ZIP file.

Backup the files from all source folders into one single zip file

This option enables to compress the files of all source folders into one single zip file.

File path

This option enables you to specify how the path of a file is stored in the ZIP file. The following options are available:

Save entire path (example: Data\Word\Info.doc)
Save path without source portion (example: Word\Info.doc)
Save file name only (example: Info.doc)

In the above examples, the source folder C:\Data was used and the file C:\Data\Word\Info.dod backed up.
Note: Using the option Save file name only, paths have no effect in the filters for folders and files.

Data Compression

Compression Level

This option enables you to specify the compression level to be used for the files being backed up. The following settings are available:

None
Fast
Normal (default setting)
Maximum

The higher the compression, the longer it takes for the ZIP file to be created. The None option causes items to be zipped without being compressed.

Compression Method

This option allows you to set the compression method for the ZIP file. The following compression methods are available:

Deflate is the default compression method of the general ZIP format supported by many other programs. In comparison to Deflate, Deflate64 and BWT enable a higher degree of compression to be achieved, however, they aren't supported by all programs. The compression methods Deflate64 and BWT are available from the AllSync Professional Edition.

File Splitting

Split ZIP file into more than one archive

This option enables you to specify that the ZIP file be automatically split into several archives with a specific file size.
In addition, you can specify the compatibility of the split ZIP files if required:

Compatibility Standard
This allows the split files to be unpacked with software such as 7-Zip, WinRar or WinZip. The ZIP files are saved with the following extensions:
- backup.zip
- backup.z01
- backup.z02
- ...
Compatibility AllSync ZIP-Tool
With this, the ZIP files can only be extracted with the AllSync ZIP-Tool. The ZIP files are saved with the following extensions:
- backup.zip
- backup.z02
- backup.z03
- ...

Encryption

Encrypt ZIP file

This option enables you to password-protect the ZIP file against unauthorized access. The following encryption methods are available:

Standard Zip 2.0
AES 256-bit ¹

¹ The encryption method AES 256-bit is available from the AllSync Business Edition.

Temp Folder

Use this folder for creating the temporary ZIP file

This option enables you to specify that a ZIP file is to first be created in a specific folder and then moved to the destination folder. This option has to be activated so that the items in existing ZIP files can be updated. The folder should be located on a local hard drive with sufficient free disk space for performance reasons.

If you don't use this option, the ZIP file is created directly in the destination folder. This may lead to substantial performance loss on network drives and error messages when using storage media like CDs or DVDs.

You can specify this option for all profiles in the general options (see Profile Properties – Options – General): Creating a Temporary ZIP File