When you are using Iguana - or any application - you should ensure that your important files are backed up to external storage. If you are using Iguana version 4.0 or later, you should back up the following files:

• The IguanaConfiguration.xml file. This file is located in the directory in which Iguana is installed (for example, C:\Program Files\iNTERFACEWARE\Iguana). This file contains all of the settings for your Iguana server and its channels. A backup copy of this file is essential, especially if you have created a large number of channels or have created customized settings for a particular site or interface.

	You can use a copy of the IguanaConfiguration.xml file to replicate your Iguana environment, or to create a test system that uses the same channels and settings.

• The log files, which are located in the logs subdirectory of the Iguana installation directory. The log files are named <date>.log, where <date> is a date in YYYMMDD format. One log file is created each day that the server is active.

	Keep in mind that Iguana purges its log files at specified times. When backing up your log files, ensure that your backups do not happen at the same time as the log purge. For more information on purging logs, see Logging.

• channel_positions_meta.xml, which is located in the logs\meta subdirectory of the Iguana installation directory. Iguana uses this file to keep a count of the number of messages that have been sent by each channel.
• The VMD files that are used by your Iguana channels. If you use a database as a source component or a destination component of a channel, or you use a filter, you will need to save a copy of the VMD files that handle the mapping or filtering. These files should be stored in a directory other than the Iguana installation directory, and this directory should be regularly backed up. If this is not feasible, keep a copy of the VMD files in a secure location; this will ensure that your files are not lost if you experience hard drive failure.
• The database and database tables that Iguana uses. If you use a database as a source component or a destination component of a channel, you will need to back up the databases that these channels use.

	If you are running Iguana 4.1, the logs subdirectory also contains internal database files that it uses to index log entries. These files have the suffix .db and .db-journal (for example, 20091218_log_index.db, 20091218_log_index.db-journal, queue_index.db). If you are running Iguana 4.5 or later, these files are located in the logs\index subdirectory. These files should not be backed up. If you need to restore a saved copy of the logs, the files with suffix .log and the channel_positions_meta.xml file (in the logs\meta subdirectory) are all that are needed.

You may also want to back up IguanaLicense, which is a file located in the Iguana installation directory. This file contains the Iguana ID that Iguana uses to register your installation. Although you can obtain another copy of this registration code from your iNTERFACEWARE Member's Account, having a backup copy of this file is handy.

	If you need to rebuild a server, reinstall the operating system, move the Iguana installation to another directory, or replace the NIC card on your computer, the IguanaLicense file cannot be used to register your Iguana installation, as a different Iguana ID will be needed. If you require a new license immediately at a time when our office is closed, log in to your iNTERFACEWARE Member's Account and create an Iguana trial license. You can use this trial license to get your server running until the next business day. Then, you can contact us to obtain a new permanent license. See Registering Iguana for more information on obtaining a trial license for your Iguana server.