> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.eazybackup.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.eazybackup.com/guides/seed-load-walk-through.md).

# Seed Load Walk through

The seed load process allows you to perform your initial backup to a local external hard drive and then courier the external drive to the server administrator.

## What you need up front

* An external disk (USB) with enough free space for the first full backup. Use a filesystem that supports large files (NTFS, exFAT, or ext4).
* The eazyBackup client installed and signed into the correct user account.

{% hint style="info" %}
Using a slow external drive for your seed-load backup will lengthen the import. If speed matters, choose a faster device—ideally a solid-state drive.
{% endhint %}

{% embed url="<https://eazybackup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/seed-load-backup-walkthrough.mp4>" %}

## Create a “Local Path” Storage Vault on the external drive

1. Plug in and mount the external disk.
2. Open **eazyBackup** → **Settings** → **Storage Vaults** → **Custom**.
3. Choose **Local Path** as the storage type.
4. Pick a folder on the external disk (for example, `E:\ezbseed` ).
5. Name the vault something like **Local Vault (Seed)** so you can spot it easily.

## Run the first backup to the seed drive

1. Go to **Create New Protected Item** and create the item set you want to back up.
2. Start a **Backup** and select the **Local Path** vault you just created.
3. Let it run to completion. Contact eazyBackup for shipping instructions when complete.&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://2026595258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FSvHh4wgiJn6bl81UXqVT%2Fuploads%2Fv3JcAk2l5lg21JPMT4ZK%2Fseedload-backup-step-1.png?alt=media&amp;token=ae9acb9c-f45a-4fc6-a0f0-1c0bb600b179" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Click the "+" icon to add a new Storage Vault and choose "Custom" for the type of Vault.&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://2026595258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FSvHh4wgiJn6bl81UXqVT%2Fuploads%2FtzJMdzlgIq6lzn6iFvpd%2Fseedload-backup-step-2.png?alt=media&amp;token=06c6a818-c25f-43a5-a801-aecda9d24296" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Give the Vault a name that will help you identify it later, click "Next" when done.

<figure><img src="https://2026595258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FSvHh4wgiJn6bl81UXqVT%2Fuploads%2FxQoRvVpbs60CCJtkZmbg%2Fseedload-backup-step-3.png?alt=media&amp;token=3a69053d-8ad0-4bb9-8976-988f3a990e9a" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://2026595258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FSvHh4wgiJn6bl81UXqVT%2Fuploads%2FKnLVQuCxNnjrd6ouRNVU%2Fseedload-backup-step-4.png?alt=media&amp;token=2290e7c5-eef2-4700-9f8f-1cd7cc140bff" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Click the "Browse" button and locate the hard drive that will be used for the Seed load backup. Click Next when done.&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://2026595258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FSvHh4wgiJn6bl81UXqVT%2Fuploads%2FCvbxGc2gWfUOAvLvk9Wj%2Fseedload-backup-step-5.png?alt=media&amp;token=ef85483f-1e5b-4c67-a093-8009d7e866ed" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Click Next again to skip past the backup pre-commands and complete the new Vault wizard.

<figure><img src="https://2026595258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FSvHh4wgiJn6bl81UXqVT%2Fuploads%2FnQIQl4aOzRGAIbZaXycn%2Fseedload-backup-step-6.png?alt=media&amp;token=3769c7c6-07bb-445a-8e78-0c1c7fc8efde" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

You should now have a new, uninitialized Local Vault. This vault will be used for the seed load backup.&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://2026595258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FSvHh4wgiJn6bl81UXqVT%2Fuploads%2FAPyRfwnrjDXlh05fXPkN%2Fseedload-backup-step-7.png?alt=media&amp;token=6fb6ebb2-85a2-49cf-babc-22d9edf31bff" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Create a new Protected item for your seed load backup. You can select any type of Protected Item from the list.&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://2026595258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FSvHh4wgiJn6bl81UXqVT%2Fuploads%2FAqvo9lCQ9zarKczX1jVP%2Fseedload-backup-step-8.png?alt=media&amp;token=97bddbc8-971e-43c8-8c15-ccb6c67e7ee2" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Select the items you want included in the backup.

<figure><img src="https://2026595258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FSvHh4wgiJn6bl81UXqVT%2Fuploads%2FRxBMdYSNcfuyJaeexmEd%2Fseedload-backup-step-9.png?alt=media&amp;token=3e576f6f-4ac4-4987-81bd-e900edad4c58" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
Do not configure a schedule at this time, leave the schedule options blank. Schedules can be configured at a later date after the seed load backup has been imported.&#x20;
{% endhint %}

Our team will advise you when it is safe to begin scheduled backup jobs.

<figure><img src="https://2026595258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FSvHh4wgiJn6bl81UXqVT%2Fuploads%2F5I4rn9tlqcu8x5It7vtR%2Fseedload-backup-step-10.png?alt=media&amp;token=8e69bf6d-cb81-4005-af7d-eaf5eeddb807" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Start the backup and select the new Local Vault you created to back up to.&#x20;

<figure><img src="https://2026595258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FSvHh4wgiJn6bl81UXqVT%2Fuploads%2FZhBLgjZ4Pt70nEDUzN2n%2Fseedload-backup-step-11.png?alt=media&amp;token=07e19229-cb65-41a4-8c51-09cc028918fa" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="https://2026595258-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FSvHh4wgiJn6bl81UXqVT%2Fuploads%2FZNPiYdnEsUUStFWMki0W%2Fseedload-backup-step-12.png?alt=media&amp;token=225ff5a8-7045-429e-b210-e1ba53272ec9" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

When you have completed your backup to the local device, contact eazyBackup for shipping instructions.

***

[eazyBackup](https://eazybackup.com)