The HFS Hub

The HFS Hub looks and behaves very similarly on Windows, Mac and Linux so although the pictures shown here are from Windows they are equally applicable to the other platforms.

When you start the HFS Hub you will see the home screen

Along the top of the windows (or on macOS along the the top of the screen) you will see menu items. All the functionality of the HFS Hub is available from menu items though the more frequently used items also appear as large tiles or buttons on the home screen.

You will see a section for Code42 and a section for Spectrum Protect. The content of these will depend on whether you have either of these installed.

If there is a newer version of the HFS Hub available you will see a notification on the home screen

You should always upgrade the HFS Hub if an upgrade to make sure you have the latest features and fixes. Click on the Upgrade HFS Hub button to be guided through the downloading and installation of the upgrade.

If Code42 CrashPlan is not installed on your computer there will be an Install Code42 button on the home screen of the HFS Hub. Click this button to start being stepped through the installation and set up of Code42.

The first screen you will see prompts you to download the correct version of Code42 for your computer (unless you have already done this step and the required file is already on your computer). Click Download now to continue.

You will see a progress bar as the software is downloaded and then when the download completes a prompt to move on to the next step. This will show the next screen that explains the need to register for the Code42 backup service - or confirm your registration, if already registered.

Clicking the Register button will take you to the Oxford single sign on prompt. Once authenticated here the following screen will display, asking you to enter an email contact address, so that the HFS service can contact you about this account. Note: this information is held only by the HFS service - CrashPlan do not have your contact details.

Note: your contact email address will default to your primary email address, but the field does allow the choice of an alternative address or the entry of a new address.

Choosing the Update button registers your contact email address and proceeds to the following screen.

Click the Start Installation button. Once the Code42 installation is complete the Code42 CrashPlan app will start and the HFS Hub will  display the following screen (note that the Code42 app might open in front of the HFS Hub - if it does move it out of the way so you can see the HFS Hub).

Note the server address highlighted in the centre and click the Copy button to copy it to the clipboard. Now return to the Code42 CrashPlan app which will be displaying the sign on screen:

Paste the server address you just copied into the Server Address field (or else type clients.eu5.cpg.crashplan.com) and enter your SSO in the Username box remembering to include the @ox.ac.uk part. Then click Continue. The Code42 app will show the following screen

and your browser will open for you to complete SSO sign on. Be patient - it may take a few moments after sign on for the Code42 app to move to the next screen.

If you have already installed Code42 on another separate machine already, that screen will now offer you the choice of registering this machine as a new device to back up to the Code42 cloud, or as a replacement device for one of your other machines. You will normally choose the 'New Device' option. (If your current machine is indeed a new replacement for another machine that has failed and for which Code42 backups exist, choose the 'Replacement' option and follow the prompts.) If you are installing Code42 for the first time on your one and only device, you should not be prompted as above.

The Code42 home screen will now display and is ready for you to make a selection for backup (note: by default nothing is included). A further note: If you have a large amount of data to backup initially, at least 1TB or more, then please see the 'HFS Code42 Cloud Backup FAQ' page.

To use Code42 CrashPlan see our Getting Started with Code42 CrashPlan page.

Note: before you install Spectrum Protect on your computer you should register a nodename for it in the HFS Portal

If Spectrum Protect is not installed on your computer there will be an Install button in the Spectrum Protect section on the home screen of the HFS Hub. Click this button to start being stepped through the installation and set up of Spectrum Protect.

The first screen you will see prompts you to download the correct version of Spectrum Protect for your computer (unless you have already done this step and the required file is already on your computer). Click Download now to continue.

You will see a progress bar as the software is downloaded and then when the download completes a prompt to move on to the next step. 

Clicking the Next button will start the software installation. While the software installs the HFS Hub will show the following screen

You installation may take some time during which you will be prompted to allow the HFS Hub to make changes that require elevated privileges on your machine. On Windows you will also see a temporary window which tracks the progress of the various elements being installed.

After a while you should see a message confirming that Spectrum Protect has been installed and asking you to proceed to node configuration

Click on Configure. You will now see the familiar Oxford SSO sign in screen. Sign in with your SSO. Once you sign in you will see the Spectrum Protect configuration screen

Select the nodename for this computer from the dropdown (this contains the names of all the nodes you own or have been given at least 'operate' permission on). Make sure you select the correct computer nodename. If  Spectrum Protect has previously been installed on this computer and you have an existing configuration you can choose between modifying the existing configuration keeping any file inclusions or exclusions you have already made, or resetting to defaults. If you haven't previously installed Spectrum Protect on this computer this doesn't matter.

When you have selected the correct nodename click on OK to continue.

While Spectrum Protect is configured the HFS Hub will show the following screen

During configuration you will again be prompted to allow the HFS Hub to make changes that require elevated privileges on your machine. 

Once configuration is completed you will see the following screen.

Spectrum Protect is now installed and authenticated. You can click on OK to return to the HFS Hub home screen. 

It is now important to run an initial manual backup of your machine to:

• verify connectivity between your client and the HFS server.
• verify that the software is working correctly.
• ensure that we receive your data correctly.
• ensure that any issues can be addressed as soon as possible.