How to use "backup" feature in cpanel?

[John]

The Backup Menu allows a user backup or restore all or part of their account. Users can generate a backup of their account from the Backup Menu or download any automatic backups that their server administrator has created.

[John]

Generating a full backup

Overview
A full backup will backup all files needed to restore your account if it is corrupted, deleted, or moved to another server. Generating a full backup and saving it to a remote location can be a very safe move in case of problems with your account.

Steps
1 To access the Backup Menu, click on the icon above the words Backup on the main screen of your cPanel interface.

2 Click on Generate/Download a Full Backup

3 Select the destination you wish to save the backup to from the drop box next to Backup Destination:

4 Enter your email address in the field next to Email Address:. An email will be sent to this address when the backup is completed.

5 If you are backing up to a remote server, place the server's name, your username, and your password on that server in the appropriate fields.

6 Click on Generate Backup to start the backup process.


Troubleshooting
When backing up to a remote server, make sure you have properly entered the servername, your username on that server, and your password for that account

[John]

Download a home directory backup

Overview
This function will allow you to download all of the files in your home directory. This can be useful to backup the html side of your site. However, it will not backup DNS, mySQL, or other system files and settings.

Steps
1 To access the Backup Menu, click on the icon above the words Backup on the main screen of your cPanel interface.

2 Click on download a home directory Backup

3 Save the file to your computer.

Troubleshooting
Make sure to use a zip program that is compatible with .tar.gz files when unzipping, and zipping the archive or the archive may not work properly.

[John]

Download a MySQL Database Backup

Overview
This function will allow you to download all MySQL databases that are a part of your account. As these databases change frequently, you may require to download them more often than the files in your /home directory.

Steps
1 To access the Backup Menu, click on the icon above the words Backup on the main screen of your cPanel interface.

2 Click on the name of the database you wish to download below the words Download a MySQL Database Backup

3 Save the file to your computer.


Troubleshooting
Make sure to use a zip program that is compatible with .gz files when unzipping, and zipping the archive or the archive may not work properly.

[John]

Downloading an alias or filter

Overview
You can use this function to save a site alias or filter to your computer so you can restore it later.

Steps
1 To access the Backup Menu, click on the icon above the words Backup on the main screen of your cPanel interface.

2 Click on the name of the alias or filter you wish to download below the words Aliases or Filters

3 Save the file to your computer.

[John]

Restoring backups

Overview
You can use the Backup Menu to restore a Home, MySQL, filter, or alias backup. To do this, you must have that backup on the computer that you are accessing cPanel from.

Steps
1 To access the Backup Menu, click on the icon above the words Backup on the main screen of your cPanel interface.

2 Click on the Choose button below the backup type you wish to restore.

3 Once you have selected the file you wish to restore, click on Upload

Troubleshooting
The archive or file you are uploading must match the way it was downloaded. For example: if the archive was a .tar.gz when you downloaded it, it must be a .tar.gz file when you restore it.