def __init__(self):
        '''initialize configuration'''

        # mode of operation
        self.mode = None

        # mapping of targets to lists of backends to use when backing up / restoring them
        self.target_backends = {}

        # mapping of targets to lists of entities to include when backing up
        self.target_includes = {}

        # mapping of targets to lists of entities to exclude when backing up
        self.target_excludes = {}

        # output log level
        # currently supports 'quiet', 'normal', 'verbose', 'debug'
        self.log_level = 'normal'

        # output format to backup / restore
        self.outputformat = 'snapfile'

        # location of the snapfile to backup to / restore from
        self.snapfile = None

        # Encryption/decryption password to use, if left as None, encryption will be disabled
        self.encryption_password = None