For dedicated servers, we do not provide a backup service and the creation of backups is entirely the responsibility of the client.
We recommend using our Data Storage service for storing backups, and for independent access to them, and we will help you with setting up a backup within this service.
You can read more about how to order the "Data storage" service here.
1. Using the Server Control Panel
You can make backups in the control panel installed on your server. We recommend ISP Manager Lite, VestaCP, DirectAdmin, CentOS Web Panel.
Here you can set up a scheduled backup, or create a copy manually at any convenient time. The backup copy can be stored on the server itself, on a remote server, on a local computer or in cloud storage (Google Disc, Yandex Disk, Dropbox, etc.)
2. FTP Clients
You can also use dedicated software such as the FileZilla FTP client to create backups.
To connect via FTP or SFTP, you must use your credentials. After connecting, you can perform any operations with files - copy to the local computer from the server or from the local computer to the server.
3. tar and dd Applications (Linux)
On Linux, backups can be performed using the built-in dd and tar utilities.
Backing up with dd
Before creating a copy, make sure that there is enough space in the target directory to place the backup. To create a copy of your hard drive, run:
dd if=<source_disk> of=<full_copy_name> bs=8M conv=sync,noerror
For example:
dd if=/dev/sda of=/mnt/backup1/sda.img bs=8M conv=sync,noerror
- /dev/sda – the entire sda hard drive will be copied;
- of=/mnt/backup1/sda.img – the copy will be saved to /mnt/backup/sda.img,
- bs=8M – sets the hard disk cache size to speed up copying (512 bytes by default);
- conv=sync,noerror – bit-to-bit copying is set, read errors are ignored.
Backing up with tar
Tar has more options than dd and also allows you to create a system backup.
To create a system backup, enter:
tar -cvpzf <file_name>.tar.gz --exclude=<file_name> --one-file-system <target_directory>
For example:
tar -cvpzf backup1.tar.gz --exclude=/backup1.tar.gz --one-file-system /
- c - create a new backup archive;
- v - verbose mode (displaying information about current operations);
- p - saving file access rights;
- z - compression with the gzip utility;
- f <backup1> - full name of the backup file;
- --exclude = <backup1> - files / directories to be excluded from the backup. Be sure to exclude the backup file;
- --one-file-system - creating a copy of one file system. Media with other file systems will not be included into the copy;
- / - the directory to be copied.
To perform scheduled backups it is recommended to use the Cron task scheduler. In this case, backups will be created automatically. Also in the scheduler, you can configure the automatic copying of the created backups to a remote server.
4. Backup plugins for CMS (for site recovery)
Most modern CMSs have built-in tools to create site or site database backups (database examples). It is advisable to use CMS backup before making changes to the site or updating themes/plugins.
Where to store backups?
1. On the same server
You can place backups on the same server as the original files. It is more convenient and simpler, but requires disk space and is not always secure. It is recommended to place backups on the same server before transferring to other servers or before updating software.
2. On a Remote Server
You can place your backups on any remote server. If you have 2 servers, you can cross-back up. That is, on server 1, back up files from server 2. And on server 2, back up files from server 1.
3. On a Dedicated Server for Backups
Our company provides the "Backup storage" service. You get a remote storage for backups (the price is only $ 1 per month for the BACKUP-25 package).
4. On the Local Computer
You can save backups on your local computer.
5. In the Cloud Storage
You can also save backups to cloud storage - Google Disc, Yandex Disk, Dropbox, etc.
If you have any questions, please create a ticket to technical support.