Overview

The Snapshot Backup is an add-on that allows you to preserve the complete state of your server with the click of a button.

Three uses for the Snapshot Backup:

• Easy 1-click backup.
• Backups are stored on a different server for added security.
• Preserve your entire server in a working state before making changes. This is highly recommended before upgrading software that could break your server.

Make, update, and restore a backup

1. Sign into the Plesk Power User Panel as admin or root. You can access this panel directly at https://example.com:4643, or you can:
   1. Log into the Server Administration Panel.
   2. Click on Tools & Utilities in the left sidebar. See Figure 1:

      
      Figure 1. Click on Tools & Utilities on the left.

   3. Scroll down to the Server Management section, then click on the Manage Your Container link. See Figure 2:

      
      Figure 2. Click on Manage Your Container.

      Your Power User Panel will open in a new tab or window.

2. Click on the Maintenance tab on the left. See Figure 3:

   
   Figure 3. Click on Maintenance.

3. If the backup icon is grayed out, you must first purchase a Snapshot Backup from the AccountCenter. See the previous section for details. Once you've purchased your backup slot(s), click on the New Backup icon. See Figure 4:

   
   Figure 4. Click New Backup.

4. Enter any notes about the backup. Decide whether you want to exclude certain folders or back up only a few included folders. Then, click Backup. See Figure 5:

   
   Figure 5. Click Backup.

5. Your new backup will start. If you want to check on its progress, click Details (Figure 6) and you will see your progress in a popup window (Figure 7).

   
   Figure 6. Click Details.

   
   Figure 7. View the status of your backup.

6. In a few minutes or a few hours, depending on how much data there is to back up, you will see your completed backup listed on the main Maintenance screen. See Figure 8:

   
   Figure 8. A list of all your backups.

   You're all done with creating your Snapshot Backup.

7. To renew your backup (that is, to update it with recent changes), you can select the backup from the list, then click Renew Backup.
8. To make a restoration from that backup, select the backup from the list, then click on Restore Container. Note that this will wipe the current content of your server and replace it with the backup content.

1. Log into Plesk.
2. Click on the Virtuozzo tab on the left.

   

3. Click on Maintenance.

   

4. Click on New Backup. If this option is grayed out, you may need to wait for your order to complete (see above), or you may need to renew or delete an existing backup. See the next step if this is the case.

   

5. If you have an existing backup, you have a few options. You should select the check box next to the appropriate backup:

   

   • To renew the backup, now click Renew Backup. This will add any changes since your last backup.
   • To delete the backup, now click Remove Backups. This will delete the selected backup, and once the deletion has completed, you will be able to create a fresh backup on that server.
6. To restore a backup, follow the first three steps above. Then, select the check box next to the appropriate backup:

   

   Finally, click on Restore VPS. Note that this will wipe the current content of your server and replace it with the backup content.

That's it! Make sure you renew your backup or create a new backup periodically, since this is not automated.

1. Log into your (ve) Power Panel. For instructions and screenshots, please see: How to access your (ve) Power Panel.
2. From the left navigation menu, click on Maintenance.
3. Under the Backups tab, click the New Backup icon.
4. Enter your comments and/or description in the text box. You can also specifically exclude or select particular files/path. Click Backup to continue.
5. You will receive a confirmation message that your backup has been scheduled. For additional information, you may click the Details.
6. In a few minutes or a few hours, depending on how much data there is to back up, you will see your completed backup listed on the main Maintenance screen.

Troubleshooting

If you receive a lengthy error when you try to create a new backup that references being unable to obtain a "lock," this indicates that a different backup is currently being performed on that server. Please wait a few hours and try again.

If it becomes necessary for you to make a restoration during that time period, please open a support request that includes the error you received, and (mt) Media Temple will supply the latest available disaster recovery backup.

Additional options

Please see Backup Options for more backup possibilities.

Restoring my server using a Snapshot Backup has instructions on performing a restoration.