Backup Guide

WordPress Backup Guide

The dedicated WordPress Backup/Restore add-on creates and restores backups for pre-packaged WordPress installations. It supports both standalone and clustered WordPress environments and preserves the WordPress database together with website files, themes, plugins, content, and settings.

In this article

Backup/Restore Benefits

Standalone & ClusterWorks with both standalone and clustered pre-packaged WordPress installations.
Automated BackupsBackups can be created automatically according to a schedule.
Flexible SchedulingUse hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, custom, or cron-based schedules.
Manual BackupsCreate an immediate backup whenever required.
Easy RestorationRestore the WordPress environment from a selected backup snapshot.
Database & FilesBackups contain both the database dump and WordPress application files.
Remote Backup StorageSnapshots are stored on dedicated Backup Storage for additional separation and reliability.
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MariaDB Galera

The add-on already includes the additional actions required for MariaDB Galera limitations. Manual database-dump restoration should follow the separate Galera-specific guidance.

Create Backup Storage

Before installing the WordPress Backup/Restore add-on, create a dedicated Backup Storage instance unless one is already available.

  1. Open the dedicated Backup Storage package from Marketplace.
Backup Storage in Marketplace
Create dedicated Backup Storage from Marketplace.
  1. Select either Standalone or Cluster storage. For Cluster storage, specify the number of nodes.
  2. Set the preferred storage size and provide:
    • Environment — environment domain name
    • Display Name — environment alias
    • Region — when multiple regions are available
Backup Storage installation
Choose storage topology, capacity, environment name, display name, and region.
  1. Click Install and wait for the storage environment to be created. It is automatically added to the Backup storage nodes group.
Backup Storage environment
The created storage is added to the Backup storage nodes group.
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Shared storage

A single Backup Storage environment can be used by multiple WordPress environments.

Install the WordPress Backup/Restore Add-On

  1. Once Backup Storage is ready, hover over the WordPress application server or database and click Add-Ons.
  2. Locate WordPress Backup/Restore and click Install.
WordPress Backup Restore add-on
Install the WordPress Backup/Restore add-on on the required WordPress environment.

Configure the required backup parameters:

Pre-defined ScheduleSelect hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly backups.
Custom ScheduleSelect the exact time, days of the week, and time zone.
Manual (crontab)Provide a cron-based expression. The documented manual schedule uses UTC.
Backup StorageSelect a Backup Storage environment installed on the account.
Number of BackupsSet how many of the newest backups should be retained.
Always UnmountWhen enabled, Backup Storage is always unmounted after the backup process completes.
Custom WordPress backup schedule
Configure an exact custom backup schedule and time zone.
WordPress crontab backup schedule
Use a cron expression in UTC for manual scheduling.
WordPress Backup Restore installation
Select schedule, storage, retention count, and the Always unmount option.

Click Install. The add-on is added to the selected node in about a minute and begins creating backups according to the configured schedule.

Manage the Add-On

Backup NowCreate an immediate backup.
ConfigureAdjust the schedule, storage node, and retained-backup quantity.
RestoreRestore WordPress from a stored backup.
UninstallRemove the WordPress Backup/Restore add-on.
Manage WordPress Backup Restore add-on
Create backups, change settings, restore, or uninstall the add-on.

Backup WordPress

A backup starts either automatically from the configured schedule or manually through Backup Now. During the backup operation:

  • Backup Storage is mounted to the application-server node through NFS4.
  • A database dump is generated as a flat file.
  • A backup snapshot is created.
  • The snapshot contains the database dump and the WordPress application directory:
/var/www/webroot/ROOT/

Restore WordPress from Backup

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Existing data is overwritten

Restoring WordPress from a backup replaces the current website data. Any changes made after the selected backup was created will be permanently lost.

  1. Open the add-on and select Restore.
  2. Choose Restore from — the target environment. Multiple options can appear if the backup add-on is used with several environments.
  3. Select Backup — the required timestamped backup for that environment.
Restore WordPress from backup
Choose the target environment and timestamped backup snapshot.
  1. Click Restore and confirm the action in the pop-up.
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Restore cannot be canceled or reverted

Once the restore process has started, it cannot be canceled or rolled back. Wait for the success notification in the dashboard.

Expected Result

WordPress backups are created automatically or on demand and stored on remote Backup Storage. Each backup preserves the database dump together with the complete WordPress application directory, and a selected timestamped snapshot can be used to restore the website when required.

Important Notes

  • The add-on works with all pre-packaged standalone and clustered WordPress installations.
  • Both the WordPress database and website files are backed up.
  • One Backup Storage environment can serve multiple WordPress environments.
  • Manual cron-based scheduling uses UTC.
  • The Always unmount option unmounts remote storage after backup completion.
  • Backups include the database dump and /var/www/webroot/ROOT/.
  • Restoration overwrites all current data and cannot be canceled once started.