Snapshot Backup

The Snapshot Backup preserves the entire state of your server, from the core configuration files down to the emails. Recommended use:

• Preserve a working version of your server before making system-level changes, like upgrading PHP or MySQL.
• Keep an off-server backup in (mt) Media Temple's secure Data Center in case your machine gets hacked or becomes corrupted.
• Make a new backup weekly or monthly so your data stays current.

Feature summary

• Complete backup. This includes customizations to the server configuration, all Plesk data, domains, emails, databases - every single file on the server.
• Allows you to roll back to an earlier server state, should you have no other available backups of critical data.
• You can pick and choose what files get restored. Or, you can roll the entire server back to its exact state at the time of the backup.
• Peace of mind that your backup is safely housed in our Data Center for quick and easy recovery through Plesk.
• Off-server storage - even if your server's host machine fails, your backup will be safe.
• Create a new backup at any time of your choosing.
• Hold multiple backups, up to 5, by purchasing additional slots. Each slot costs $20 monthly, and can be purchased via the AccountCenter. For instructions, please read this article: Purchase a Snapshot Backup.

Snapshot Backup limitations

• You cannot schedule automated backups. It's only one button to click, but you do need to manually click it to make a backup. See Backing up your server using the Snapshot Backup tool for details.
• You cannot download the backup locally. Due to the large size of these backups (ranging anywhere from 4gb to 60gb), they cannot be sent to you. They can only be recovered through Plesk and are not available for direct download.

How to purchase a Snapshot Backup

Please see Purchase a Snapshot Backup for details and screenshots.

Plesk backup utility

The Plesk backup utility will back up all of the data associated with a single domain, including website files, databases, and email. Recommended use:

• Automate backups of important data.
• Protect against data loss.
• Restore content for one domain without affecting the rest of the server (if a single-domain backup is made).

Feature summary

• Choose all-server or domain-level backup: includes website files, databases, and email.
• Store on the server or a remote FTP location of your choice.
• Schedule automatic backups.
• Free.

Instructions

From the Control Panel

1. Log into the Plesk Control Panel for your domain. See Figure 1.

   
   Figure 1: The Plesk Control Panel. Click for a larger view.

2. Click on the Server tab, see Figure 2.

   
   Figure 2.

3. Under Tools & Resources, click on Backup Manager. See Figure 3:

   
   Figure 3. Click on Backup Manager.

4. Then, you can click on Back Up or Scheduled Backup Settings, depending on whether you want to do a backup right now or set up a schedule. You can also set up a remote repository to store your data.

From the Server Administration Panel

You must have the Server Administration Panel enabled. For instructions, please see: How can I change my Plesk interface?

1. Log into the Plesk Server Administration Panel. See Figure 4:

   
   Figure 4: The Plesk Server Administration Panel. Click for a larger view.

2. Click on Tools & Settings in the left panel. See Figure 5:

   
   Figure 5. Click on Tools & Settings.

3. Click on Backup Manager. See Figure 6:

   
   Figure 6. Click on Backup Manager.

4. Then, you can click on Back Up or Scheduled Backup Settings, depending on whether you want to do a backup right now or set up a schedule. You can also set up a remote repository to store your data.

   NOTE:

   If the Back Up option is grayed out, please open a request from the AccountCenter to have us set it up for you.

5. Now, you will be able to choose which type of backup you want to make, or set up a remote backup repository.

Instructions for the (dv) 3.5

1. Log into Plesk.
2. Click on Domains in the left panel. See Figure 1:

   
   Figure 1. Click on Domains.

3. Then, click on your specific domain from the list.
4. Then, click on Back up. See Figure 2:

   
   Figure 2. The backup tool is available in your Plesk Control panel.

   
   

   NOTE:

   If the Back up option is grayed out, please open a request from the AccountCenter to have us set it up for you.

Other Plesk options

There are quite a few ways to do batches of backups or single backups. For complete instructions, see the Plesk documentation.

Limitations

• This backup does not back up your high-level configuration files.
• The files are stored in a special Plesk format, which makes them less than ideal for migrations. See Manually extract Plesk backup files for a possible workaround.

Resources

• Administrator's Guide, Parallels Plesk Panel 11.0: Backing Up Data
• Restoring my server using a Snapshot backup
• Backing up your server using the Snapshot Backup Tool
• Restoring my server using a Snapshot backup
• Backing up your server using the Snapshot Backup Tool
• Restoring my server using a Snapshot backup
• Backing up your server using the Snapshot Backup Tool