How to backup and Restore an NSM On-Prem System?

Process to create Backup and then Restore it on another NSM system in case if the NSM system was crashed and cannot be recovered.

This process can also be used to upgrade to latest NSM version in case if there are SWI files are not available for the upgrade, instead we have only installation file available for download and upgrade and the System Update option is not applicable due to same SonicOS build.

Steps to take backup of the NSM system:

Steps to Backup NSM:

1. As a best practice, it is always recommended to Download the Add Device CSV and Add Device JSON files from NSM system when it is in working condition.

In case if the NSM system crashes and there is no backup from the system, we can spin a new NSM System and import this Add Device JSON file to get all the devices re-added to the system.

NOTE: In case if Zero touch is used to acquire the devices in NSM, we won't have the Add Device CSV or Add Device JSON files. In that case we just need to make sure that the new NSM is configured using same serial number and same ip address as the old one, also all the devices are running minimum 6.5.4.7 for Gen 6 firewalls and Gen 7.0.1 for Gen 7 devices.

2. Login to Old NSM System, Go to System->Settings->Schedule Backups:

3. If a new backup is needed, click on "Create Backup Now". This will REBOOT the system and create a fresh backup.

4. Once the backup file is ready, hover the mouse on the backup file, you can Export the backup file.

Once the backup is exported, we can shut down the old server and keep it turned off for few days while the new server is up and running and can be decommissioned later.

Steps to restore the NSM backup to a new NSM system:

1. Set up a new NSM system with same IP as the old one.

2. Register the new NSM system with same serial number and authentication code as the old one:

2.1 find the GUID of new NSM install, by going to System/Dashboard/:

2.2 log into mysonicwall.com, find this NSM serial number, click on the edit button to delete existing GUID, copy/paste above new GUID:

2.3 register the new installation.

3. Login to the New NSM System and Import the backup file.

System->Settings->Schedule Backups->Import Backup;

4. Restore the backup as first screenshot. The system will reboot;

5. Once the system is up, you will need to register again.

After registration, the restoration of backup is complete. NSM On-Prem system is ready to use.

CAUTION: Make sure to import the backup to a system running the same NSM version or later. If imported on a system running older version then the import may fail or the System may not function properly.