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Backing up your server using the Snapshot Backup tool

  • Applies to: (dv) 3.5, (dv) 4.0, (ve)

  • Difficulty: Easy

  • Time needed: 10 minutes

  • Tools needed: Snapshot Backup, Plesk administrator access

 
  • Applies to: (dv) 4.0
    • Difficulty: Easy
    • Time Needed: 10
    • Tools Required: Snapshot Backup, Plesk administrator access
  • Applies to: (dv) 3.5
    • Difficulty: Easy
    • Time Needed: 10
    • Tools Required: Snapshot Backup, Plesk administrator access
  • Applies to: (ve)
    • Difficulty: Easy
    • Time Needed: 10
    • Tools Required: Snapshot Backup, Plesk administrator access

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.

End of Life Warning

This service has a pending End of Life. Please move to a current service as soon as possible. For more information, please see: (dv) Dedicated-Virtual 4.0: Migration Information.

Instructions

Make 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. Log into your (ve) Power Panel. For instructions and screenshots, please see: How to access your (ve) Power Panel.
  3. Click on the Maintenance tab on the left. See Figure 31:


    Figure 3. Click on Maintenance.


    Figure 1. Click on Maintenance.

  4. 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 42:


    Figure 42. Click New Backup.

  5. 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 53:


    Figure 53. Click Backup.

  6. Your new backup will start. If you want to check on its progress, click Details (Figure 64) and you will see your progress in a popup window (Figure 75).


    Figure 64. Click Details.


    Figure 7. View the status of your backup.


    Figure 5. View the status of your backup.

  7. 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 86:


    Figure 86. A list of all your backups.

    You're all done with creating your Snapshot Backup.

Update your backup

  1. To renew your backup (that is, to update it with recent changes), you can select the backup from the list, then click Renew Backup. See Figure 97.


    Figure 97. Click for a larger view.

  2. Enter your notes about this backup, then click on the Backup button. See Figure 108.


    Figure 108.

  3. If you want to check on its progress, click Details (Figure 119) and you will see your progress in a popup window (Figure 1210).


    Figure 119. A sample confirmation message that your backup has been scheduled.


    Figure 12. View the status of your backup.


    Figure 10. View the status of your backup.

  4. Once completed, the list will show your updated backup. See Figure 1311.


    Figure 1311.

Restore a backup

NOTE:

This action will wipe all of the current content of your server and replace it with the backup content.

  1. To make a restoration from a backup, select the backup from the list, then click on Restore Container. See Figure 1412.


    Figure 1412.

Verify your backup

Want to check that the backup is there and has all your content? Not a problem! Here's how:

  1. Click on the backup you'd like to verify from your list, see Figure 1311 above.
  2. Next, click the Browse Backup button at the top. See Figure 1513.


    Figure 1513. Click for a larger view.

  3. You'll now be able to browse the directory structure of your selected backup. See Figure 1614.


    Figure 1614.

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

    Plesk_virtuozzo.png

  3. Click on Maintenance.

    Plesk_virtuozzo_maintenance.png

  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.

    Plesk_virtuozzo_backup.png

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

    Plesk_virtuozzo_backup_select.png

    • 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:

    Plesk_virtuozzo_backup_select.png

    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.

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.

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

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


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