# Backing Up Your Data

When your Catalyst is delivered from the factory, it will have a default configuration database already created within the file system. Any changes made to the configuration database from the front panel or over the phone will create a database mismatch when attempting to connect with Alarmware. When Alarmware detects there is a database mismatch, you will be given the option to import the data into Alarmware or to export the database from Alarmware to the Catalyst. When you choose to import from the Catalyst, you will have a backup copy of your configuration data.

Similarly, when you record messages, you will be given three options when connecting:

1) Import the user-recorded messages into Alarmware

2) Export messages to the Catalyst

3) Do Nothing (do not import or export, mismatch is OK)

When you choose to import into Alarmware, you will have a backup of the messages stored on your computer.

Important Note: If you choose to export messages from Alarmware, you will be replacing all messages on the Catalyst, even if the messages being exported are default messages.

As an added level of safety, you may choose to make a copy of the .NVM files located in your Aware/Data directory. This will allow you to recover from any accidental erasing of the configuration or speech databases.