Knowledgebase

Configuring an FTP backup in Plesk allows you to store your backups remotely on an FTP server, ensuring that your backup files are safe and off the primary server. This is especially useful for disaster recovery, ensuring that your data is accessible even if something happens to your Plesk server.

Here's a step-by-step guide to configure FTP backup storage in Plesk:

Step 1: Log in to Plesk

1. Open your web browser and navigate to your Plesk login page:
   • Example: https://yourdomain.com:8443 or https://your-server-ip:8443.
2. Enter your username and password, then click Log In.

Step 2: Access Backup Manager

1. Once logged in, navigate to Tools & Settings (for administrators) or Websites & Domains (for individual users).
2. In the Tools & Settings section, click on Backup Manager under the General Settings section.
   • If you're a user managing your own website, you can find Backup Manager under Websites & Domains.

Step 3: Add FTP Backup Destination

1. In the Backup Manager, click on Backup Settings.

2. Under the Backup Storage section, click Add FTP Backup Storage.

3. FTP Backup Settings:

   • FTP Host: Enter the FTP server address (e.g., ftp.example.com or ftp://ip-address).
   • FTP Port: Enter the FTP port (default is 21, unless your FTP server uses a different port).
   • FTP Username: Enter the username for your FTP account.
   • FTP Password: Enter the password associated with the FTP account.
   • Backup Directory: Specify the remote directory where you want to store the backup files (e.g., /backups/).

4. After entering the FTP details, click OK or Save to add the FTP storage.

Step 4: Create a Backup with FTP Storage

1. After setting up FTP backup storage, go back to the Backup Manager.

2. Click on Back Up to create a new backup.

3. In the Backup Settings, select Full Backup or Incremental Backup depending on your needs.

4. In the Backup Destination section:

   • Choose FTP Storage as the destination for the backup.

5. Select any additional options, such as:

   • Email Notifications: Optionally, you can specify an email address to receive notifications once the backup is complete.
   • Backup Mode: Choose whether to back up all data or specific parts of your website.

6. Click OK or Back Up to start the backup process.

Step 5: Monitor the Backup Process

1. Once the backup starts, you can monitor its progress in the Backup Manager.
2. When the backup is complete, the status will show as Completed.
3. You can verify the backup by logging into your FTP server and checking the remote directory for the backup file.

Step 6: Download the Backup from FTP (Optional)

• If you need to download the backup file from the FTP server later:
  1. Log into your FTP client (e.g., FileZilla).
  2. Connect to the FTP server with the credentials provided in the backup settings.
  3. Navigate to the Backup Directory you specified earlier.
  4. Download the backup file to your local machine.

Step 7: (Optional) Automate FTP Backups

• You can set up automatic backups to run at regular intervals (daily, weekly, etc.):
  1. Go to the Backup Manager.
  2. Under Backup Settings, configure a scheduled backup that saves to the FTP destination.
  3. Set the backup frequency and ensure that the destination is set to the FTP storage you configured earlier.

Additional Notes

• FTP Server Configuration: Make sure that the FTP server you are using has enough storage space for the backups and that you can access it remotely.
• Backup Size: Depending on the size of your account, the backup may take some time to complete. Ensure that your FTP server has sufficient disk space for the full backup file.
• Security: Always use secure FTP (SFTP) if possible to encrypt the data transfer between your server and the remote FTP server.
• Backup Retention: Regularly check the space on your FTP server and delete old backups to avoid running out of storage.

Configuring an FTP backup in Plesk is an efficient way to store backups remotely and ensure the safety of your website data. By following the steps above, you can easily set up FTP backup storage, create backups, and automate the process to maintain regular off-site copies of your data.