Paxton 10: Password Recovery, Backup, and Restore

Overview

After upgrading Paxton 10 software to version 4.7 SR2 or higher, a recovery password must be created for the system. This password applies to the system, not the user who creates it. The password is used to encrypt created backups and is then required to restore from these backups.

It is important that you remember and store the recovery password appropriately, as without this password, you cannot restore your system. The recovery password can be changed in the System Options menu, but it only applies to future backups that are created.

Create the Recovery Password

After upgrading Paxton 10 software to version 4.7 SR2 or higher, a system engineer will be prompted to create a recovery password upon logging into the system. The recovery password must be created, and the prompt cannot be dismissed until the password is set.

A backup USB stick must be inserted into the Paxton 10 server to proceed. The password requirements (length, special characters, etc.) are the same as when creating a user for the system. The system will indicate whether the entered password is acceptable.

Upon successful entry, a new backup copy is immediately created, which is encrypted with the new password. The system automatically deletes all unencrypted backups. Existing encrypted backups on the USB stick are not deleted, as they may be needed for migration to a new server or for a factory reset (see below).

Migration to a New or Factory Reset Server

IMPORTANT!

1. If you intend to restore a backup created on a system without a recovery password (unencrypted) onto a new server that prompts you to create a first-time recovery password, do not proceed and contact Paxton Support instead, as the backup data will be automatically deleted from the USB stick.
2. If you intend to restore from a backup created on a system with a recovery password (encrypted) onto a new server, it is important that the recovery password on the new server matches the old server.

Change the Recovery Password

The recovery password can be changed via the System Options menu. To do this, a backup USB stick must be inserted into the Paxton 10 server. Upon successful setting, a new backup is immediately created, encrypted with the new password. The system automatically deletes all other existing backups, as these are considered redundant since the password is no longer known.

System Backup

The system is backed up automatically every day, but can also be backed up manually.

Manual Backup

Select the 'System Options' icon at the top right of the screen, select the 'Backup' tab, and then 'Back up now'.

Screenshot of the Paxton 10 interface showing the System Options menu with the Backup tab selected, highlighting the 'Back up now' button.

The system can also be used during an ongoing backup. When the backup is complete, a notification will be displayed.

Restore from Backup

The system can be restored to a previous state. When restoring the system, all settings and elements will be reverted to the state they were in at the time of the backup. All events and changes made since the selected date will be lost.

1. Select the 'System Options' icon at the top right of the screen and then the 'Backup' tab.
2. Select the date to restore from the dropdown list.
3. Select 'Restore'.
4. If the backup is encrypted with a recovery password, you will be prompted to enter it.

Note: If the system requires the recovery password for restoration, you cannot restore the system without this password. In this case, it is advisable to change the recovery password in the System Options menu. This password will then apply to all subsequent backups that are created. Subsequently, you should attempt to manually resolve the issues that necessitated the restoration, for example, by manually restoring accidentally deleted users.

Restoration Limitations

When the restoration begins, all users will be logged out of the software. The Paxton 10 software will redirect you to the login page when the restoration is complete.

By restoring from a backup copy, you can reset your system to a known, working point in time. However, there are some limitations on what can be restored. The following guide describes the unsupported scenarios.

Unsupported Scenarios

Restoring Deleted Hardware Devices

If a hardware device was deleted from Hardware Management after the corresponding backup was created, the hardware device will appear in Hardware Management upon restoration but will not function, as it has been reset. You must delete the hardware device from Hardware Management, have it rediscovered, and reconnect it to the software device.

Restoring Reset Hardware Devices

If a hardware device is reset using the reset button on the physical device after the corresponding backup was captured, the hardware device will appear in Hardware Management upon restoration but will not function, as it has been reset. You must delete the hardware device from Hardware Management, have it rediscovered, and reconnect it to the software device.

Restoring Reset Master Controllers

If a master controller is reset using the reset button on the physical hardware device after the corresponding backup was captured, the hardware device will appear in Hardware Management upon restoration but will not function, as it has been reset. You must delete all hardware devices from this topology from Hardware Management, add a master controller, bind it to the software device again, and have all secondary devices rediscovered. All secondary devices must be re-bound and assigned to the existing software devices.

Restoring After a Failover

If a failover has occurred and a new master controller was configured after the corresponding backup was recorded, the hardware device will appear in Hardware Management as a master controller upon restoration but will not function correctly, as it is no longer the master controller. You must delete all hardware devices from this topology from Hardware Management, add a master controller, bind it to the software device again, and have all secondary devices rediscovered. All secondary devices must be re-bound and assigned to the existing software devices.

Different Software Versions

When restoring a backup point created with the latest software version onto a new server, please ensure that the server is updated to the latest software version before restoration. If you restore a backup where the versions do not match, database issues may arise due to version changes, triggering a firmware update or hardware downgrade that may fail.

Factory Reset and System Restore

Return to System Default

It is possible to reset the software to its default settings. This will delete all user data and settings, including all devices and bound system devices.

1. Select the 'System Options' icon at the top right of the screen and then select the 'Backup' tab.
2. Select 'Unbind Hardware' – this will unbind the connected hardware, allowing it to be connected to another system.
3. Select 'Reset Database' to reset the system to factory settings.

Screenshot of the Paxton 10 interface showing the System Options menu with the Backup tab selected, highlighting the 'Unbind Hardware' and 'Reset Database' options.

All users will be logged out, and the system will be restored to its original settings. The Paxton 10 software will redirect you to the initial login page after the restoration is complete, allowing you to create a new login for the system engineer.

Paxton 10 controllers that were bound to the system before the system restoration may need to be reset before they can be recognized by the system again. Press and hold the reset button on each controller for 10 seconds.