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Backup and Restore Procedures

Learn how to protect your server data with regular backups and restore from them when needed.

Why Backups Matter

Regular backups protect against data loss from server crashes, corruption, configuration errors, or accidental deletions. They're your safety net for maintaining server continuity.

Accessing the Backup System

To manage your server backups:

  1. Log into your control panel
  2. Select your server
  3. Navigate to Management → Backups
Backups Interface

Backups interface for creating and managing server backups

Creating Manual Backups

Create backups before making important changes:

Step-by-Step Backup Creation

  1. In the Backups section, click "Create"
  2. Give your backup a descriptive name
  3. Wait for the backup process to complete
  4. Verify the backup appears in your backup list
Backup Permissions

The backup system has granular permissions for subusers:

Backup Permissions
  • Read: View all backups for the server
  • Update: Lock/unlock backups to prevent deletion
  • Create: Create new backups
  • Delete: Remove backups from the server
  • Deploy: Restore backups to the server
  • Download: Download backup files locally

Backup Best Practices

When to Create Backups

  • Before Updates: Always backup before game or mod updates
  • Before Configuration Changes: Backup before major setting changes
  • Regular Schedule: Create daily or weekly backups
  • Before Maintenance: Backup before any server maintenance
  • After Major Events: Backup after significant gameplay sessions

Backup Naming Conventions

Use descriptive names to identify backups easily:

pre-update-2025-01-15

weekly-backup-week-3

before-mod-installation

stable-config-v2

event-backup-new-years

Automatic Backup Scheduling

Set up automated backups for regular protection:

Using the Schedule System

  1. Go to Configuration → Schedules
  2. Click "Create" to add a new schedule
  3. Set the backup frequency (daily, weekly, etc.)
  4. Configure the backup retention policy
Schedules Interface

Schedules interface for setting up automated backup routines

Recommended Backup Schedule

Backup Frequency Guidelines

High-Activity Servers:

Daily backups, keep 7-14 days

Medium-Activity Servers:

Every 2-3 days, keep 2 weeks

Low-Activity Servers:

Weekly backups, keep 1 month

Development Servers:

Before each major change

Restoring from Backups

When you need to restore your server from a backup:

Restoration Process

  1. Stop Your Server: Ensure the server is completely stopped
  2. Select Backup: Choose the backup you want to restore from
  3. Deploy Backup: Click the "Deploy" option for your chosen backup
  4. Confirm Restoration: Confirm you want to overwrite current data
  5. Wait for Completion: Allow the restoration process to finish
  6. Start Server: Start your server and verify everything works
Restoration Warning

Restoring a backup will overwrite all current server data. Any changes made since the backup was created will be lost. Consider creating a backup of the current state before restoring.

Downloading Backups

Download backups for local storage or migration:

Download Process

  1. In the Backups section, find your desired backup
  2. Click the "Download" option
  3. Wait for the download to prepare
  4. Save the backup file to your local computer

Uses for Downloaded Backups

  • Local Storage: Keep important backups on your computer
  • Server Migration: Move data to a new server
  • Development: Test configurations locally
  • Archive: Long-term storage of server states

Backup Management

Organizing Your Backups

Keep your backup list manageable:

  • Delete Old Backups: Remove outdated backups regularly
  • Lock Important Backups: Prevent accidental deletion of critical backups
  • Document Backups: Keep notes about what each backup contains
  • Test Restorations: Periodically test that backups work correctly

Storage Considerations

Backup Storage Tips
  • • Monitor your backup storage usage
  • • Delete unnecessary backups to free space
  • • Download important backups for external storage
  • • Consider backup compression for large servers
  • • Plan backup retention based on available storage

Troubleshooting Backup Issues

Backup Creation Fails

  • Insufficient Storage: Check available disk space
  • Server Running: Some backups require the server to be stopped
  • File Locks: Ensure no processes are accessing server files
  • Permissions: Verify you have backup creation permissions

Restoration Problems

  • Corrupted Backup: Try a different backup or contact support
  • Version Mismatch: Ensure backup is compatible with current server version
  • Incomplete Restoration: Check console logs for error messages
  • Server Won't Start: Verify all files were restored correctly

Advanced Backup Strategies

Multi-Tier Backup Strategy

  1. Frequent Backups: Daily backups kept for 1 week
  2. Weekly Backups: Weekly backups kept for 1 month
  3. Monthly Archives: Monthly backups kept for 6 months
  4. Major Milestone Backups: Important states kept indefinitely

Backup Verification

Regularly verify your backups are working:

  • Test restoration on a development server
  • Verify backup file integrity
  • Check that all important data is included
  • Document successful restoration procedures
Backup Success Indicators
  • ✓ Backups complete without errors
  • ✓ Backup files are the expected size
  • ✓ Restoration tests work correctly
  • ✓ All critical data is preserved
  • ✓ Backup schedule runs automatically

Need Help?

If you encounter issues with backups or restoration:

  • Discord: Join our Discord for community support
  • Support Tickets: Submit detailed tickets through your control panel
  • Documentation: Check our other technical support guides