The GPL system includes a simple method for storing all of the current parameter database values to flash disk files. Via the web interface, this method is invoked with a single button press under the “Setup” tab. Additional capabilities are provided via the Backup and Restore control panel. Through the system console, this method is initiated by setting a new value for the "Save PDB values to files" (DataID 901) system parameter (see the reference documents that describe the Configuration and Parameter Database values).
In addition to the active, working database files that were described in the previous section, e.g. “controller.pac”, the system can also create a backup set of the database files. The backup set is useful when configuring a system because it allows you to save a known, good set of parameters values (a "Restore Point"). For example, once you generate the backup set, you can continue to edit the system parameter values and try various parameter settings. When you have a stable set of values, you can store these into the active working set of files. When the system is restarted, your new working file set is automatically loaded. However, if you discover that your new working set of values is incorrect, you can revert to the backup set of parameters. To create and restore backup data sets via the web interface, go to the "Backup and Restore" facility that is on the Utilities tab and use the "System Setup Restore Point" operations.
The active, working set parameter database files have a file extension of “.pac” and the backup copies have the same file name but an extension of “.sav”. Both the working and the backup set of files are located in the “/config” directory on the flash disk.