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 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 CrashPlan 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If there is a newer version of the HFS Hub available you will see a notification on the home screen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 is available, to make sure you have the latest features and fixes. Click on the Upgrade button to be guided through the download and installation of the upgrade.

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

The next screen will inform you that you must log in with your SSO (unless you have already done this). This is so that we can confirm you are eligible to use the service and also so we can create an account for you on the CrashPlan servers. Click the Login button and a browser window will open. If you have already logged into your browser you may need to do no more, but otherwise log in as you usually do.  Once you are logged in go back to the HFS Hub where you will be asked to confirm you want to start CrashPlan installation. Do this by clicking on the Start installation button.

The correct version of the CrashPlan software for your computer will now be downloaded (unless you have already done this step).

When the download completes this screen will change confirming the download has completed and will ask you to proceed to the next step. Click on the Next button and at the next screen the Start installation button.

On Mac and Linux (and on Windows if you do not have admin rights) you will be prompted for credentials to run the CrashPlan installer. The installer will run and when it completes CrashPlan should start up (in rare circumstances it does not - if it has not started after a while start from the Start Menu/Launcher etc.). You will see the Sign in to CrashPlan screen:

Usually your SSO will have been automatically filled in by the HFS Hub. If it has not been then enter it. 

On rare occasions you might see a field labelled Server Address. If so enter clients.eu5.cpg.crashplan.com.

Now click 'Continue'. The CrashPlan app will now tell you to complete login to CrashPlan in your browser

As you have already logged into the HFS Hub using your browser you will not need to enter your credentials again. Please be patient and allow the login process to complete.

Once you have logged in, if you have already used CrashPlan the first dialogue screen will now offer you the choice of registering this machine as a new device 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 CrashPlan backups exist, choose the 'Replacement' option and follow the prompts.) If you are installing CrashPlan for the first time on your one and only device, you should not be prompted as above.

The CrashPlan 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 back up initially, at least 1TB or more, then please see the items The CrashPlan backup is very slow. How can I speed it up? and The estimated time to completion for my initial backup is ridiculously long. Can I speed it up? on the HFS FAQ page.

A brief introduction to the CrashPlan interface is available on our Getting Started with CrashPlan page. Extensive online support on using the CrashPlan app is available from the CrashPlan support pages. Common questions around the Oxford implementation of CrashPlan backup may be answered on our HFS FAQ 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 setup of Spectrum Protect.

The first screen you will see informs you that you must log in with your SSO (unless you have already done this). This is so that we can confirm you are eligible to use the service and also so we can check what Spectrum Protect nodes you have registered. Click the Login button and a browser window will open. If you have already logged into you browser you may need to do no more, otherwise log in as you usually do. Once you are logged in go back to the HFS Hub which will check what nodes you have registered and ask you to select the nodename for the computer.

Choose the correct nodename from the drop down list (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 have not previously installed Spectrum Protect on this computer this does not matter.

Click OK. At the next screen you will be asked to confirm you wish to start the installation. Click the Start installation button.

The correct version of the Spectrum Protect software for your computer will now be downloaded (unless you have already done this step).

Once the software is downloaded the Spectrum Protect installer will start. This requires admin privileges so you will be asked to agree or provide credentials.

After installation completes you will be asked to continue to configuration of the node using the nodename you have already provided. Configuration also requires admin privileges so you will once again be asked to agree to this or enter credentials.

Finally you will be told configuration is complete. 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.