To save panel data and user files on the server, as well as restore them back to the panel in case of deletion or technical failure, we strongly recommend to enable backup feature in the panel. It is recommended to make this setting immediately after installing the panel or completing basic settings of the site.

For instructions on how to configure, see Backup copies.

Recommendations for backups

Before configuring, read the following guidelines:

  1. Make sure that the size of the two backup volumes does not exceed the free disk space. By default, the volume size is 100MB. To change it, add the BackupSliceSize number>M parameter to the panel configuration file /usr/local/mgr5/etc/ispmgr.conf . For more information about how much space is needed on the server for backup operation, see The ISPtar backup module.

  2. Different types of service are used for remote storage. Below are the repositories supported by the panel in order of decreasing popularity and stable operation:

    • FTP-storage – ProFTPd or PureFTPdserver installed on a full-fledged OS Linux should be used as an FTP-server;

    • S3-compatible storage;

    • SFTP-storage (SSH) – as an SFTP server, a server on a full–fledged Linux OS and an uncut SSH service should act. It is also recommended that the operating systems match between the server with the panel and the storage, since connecting from a new OS version to an outdated one may not be possible due to outdated security protocols;

    • Amazon S3;

    • Dropbox;

    • Google Drive;

  3. Use an external or separately mounted hard drive as storage.

  4. After selecting the storage and entering the settings, it is recommended to set restrictions on the total volume for a better guide of the panel with the storage size, since many storages show the occupied volume incorrectly. Using this field, the panel will count the occupied volume and delete unnecessary backups.

  5. Due to restrictions, it is recommended to leave the default values, but it is not recommended to make them less than 2:2.

  6. It is recommended to choose backup start time when the server load is minimal (visiting websites, working with other scripts on the server). By default, the night time of the backup start is set.

  7. If the backup for the next day was completed succesfully, a green check mark will be displayed in the “Users“ section in the “Status“ field opposite each user, indicating that a backup copy of this user has been created.

  8. The backup task is started by the Cron system scheduler. If all users have green checkboxes in the panel, but the backup date is not in the “Backups“ list, then check that the scheduler is running and does not exceed the limit of the simultaneously running processes. You can check that with the command service cron status in debian-like OS and service crond status in RedHat-like OS.

  9. If an exclamation mark is displayed instead of a check mark in the user's status, we recommend contacting technical support to diagnose the problem, after making sure that there is free space in the storage and on the server.

  10. We also recommend to check the "Notifications" section periodically to make sure there are no errors from backup modules, because the panel may miss errors from some modules.