Add users from the CrashPlan console

Updated November 08, 2023 18:55

Overview

This article describes how to add users to the CrashPlan console, as well as suggestions for when to use each method. You can add users to the CrashPlan console by:

Entering information manually for each user
Uploading a text file with a list of users
Sending email invitations
Provisioning users from a third-party directory

Considerations

A user account functions as a container for a single user’s devices. Users cannot restore files from another user’s devices unless they have the appropriate administrative privileges.
After a user is added, the CrashPlan app must be installed on each user's device in order to begin backup operations.
Once a computer is added to a user account, it cannot be moved to a different user account without restarting the backup.

Use unique usernames and passwords

Each individual user needs a unique username and password. Sharing credentials across multiple users is a large security and data privacy risk because users can download backed up files from every device using the same username.

Add users manually

Entering information manually for each user is an easy way to quickly add a few users.

Add multiple users

If you need to add many users at once, see the options below for uploading a text file, sending email invitations, or provisioning users. These methods are faster and more efficient when you're adding large groups of users.

Add users individually

Sign in to the CrashPlan console.
Select Administration > Environment > Users from the navigation menu.
Click Add a new user .
Select Add Users.
Select an organization for the new user.
Enter the user's first name, last name, email address, and password.
- Passwords must be at least 8 characters. For stronger security, use 16 characters or more.
- Passwords must have at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, and one number. Special characters and symbols are also allowed.
- Passwords can't contain spaces or 3 or more repeating letters, numbers, or characters.
- Passwords shouldn't contain common words or phrases that are easily guessed (like "password" or "letmein").
- Never reuse passwords. Don't use a password for CrashPlan that you use for any other online account.
Click Add User.
Download and install the CrashPlan app on the endpoint device and then sign in with the new user account.

Add users by uploading a text file

Add users by uploading a text file to easily create many new user records at once. When adding users by uploading a text file, determine the email addresses and passwords for all users you want to add.

Sign in to the CrashPlan console.
Select Administration > Environment > Users from the navigation menu.
Click Add a new user .
Select Add Users.
Select an organization for the new user.
Click Download sample file to download the template for adding users.
Modify the sample file:
1. Delete the sample entry for "John Doe."
2. Add the information for your users in the following format (one line per user):
  firstName,lastName,email,password
3. Password tips:
  - Passwords must be at least 8 characters. For stronger security, use 16 characters or more.
  - Passwords must have at least one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, and one number. Special characters and symbols are also allowed.
  - Passwords can't contain spaces or 3 or more repeating letters, numbers, or characters.
  - Passwords shouldn't contain common words or phrases that are easily guessed (like "password" or "letmein").
  - Never reuse passwords. Don't use a password for CrashPlan that you use for any other online account.
Save the modified file.
Drag and drop your saved users .txt file onto the Click or Drag and Drop File button, or click to browse to the file.
Click Add User.
Download and install the CrashPlan app on the endpoint device, and sign in with the new user account.

Invite users by email

You can add users by email invitation to quickly deploy to any number of users. With this method, users receive email instructions for getting started on their own.

You can see users with pending invitations by navigating to Users > Active, then clicking the Action menu and selecting Show Invited.

Sign in to the CrashPlan console.
Select Administration > Environment > Users from the navigation menu.
Select Add a New User .
Select Invite Users.
Select an organization for the new user.
Complete the form:
- Enter a comma-separated list of email addresses.
- Enter a reply to address.
- (Optional) Customize the subject and message to be sent to your users.
Click Send.

Your users will receive an email with instructions for getting started.

Re-invite a user

If an invited user misplaced or deleted their email invitation, simply re-invite them using the Invite Users process.

Add users by provisioning

(Crashplan for Enterprise and MSPs only)

This method syncs your CrashPlan console with a third-party directory or provisioning provider. Once configured, new users are automatically added to the CrashPlan console from the provider.

SCIM Provisioning

Use this method if you currently have a provisioning provider that uses the SCIM 2.0 protocol or if you want to start maintaining users in a centralized directory. CrashPlan customers can use Okta's provisioning features for free. Learn more about CrashPlan provisioning and how to configure it in our introduction to SCIM provisioning article.

CrashPlan User Directory Sync

CrashPlan User Directory Sync enables you to use LDAP to sync your directory service with CrashPlan. To configure it, contact your Customer Success Manager (CSM).