VPS backups are like insurance, boring until disaster strikes. But when your VPS powers your website, client sites, or applications, backups become your first line of defense. If you’ve ever wondered “Did my backup actually work?” or “Can I restore this without nuking everything?”, you’re in the right place.
In this blog, we’ll provide you with answers to some of the most common questions around VPS backups. If you need additional help with your backups, check out this blog that covers essential VPS backup strategies.
1. When I back up my VPS, what exactly gets backed up?
That depends on the backup type your hosting provider offers. In most Proxmox-based environments, you’re looking at snapshot-style backups. These capture your entire VPS in its current state – think of it like a full save of your game progress.
All your files, apps, settings, and system data are frozen in time. Other platforms may offer full backups (disk content only) or incremental backups, which just save the changes since the last backup. But unless you’re doing custom setups, it’s likely you’re working with full snapshots.
2. How often should I back up my VPS?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but here’s a good rule: back up as often as your content changes. If you run a blog that updates daily or manage customer websites, aim for daily backups.
A lower-traffic development server? Weekly might be enough. For business-critical systems, you might even consider hourly snapshots. The key is consistency, and automation helps make that happen without adding to your to-do list.
3. Where are my VPS backups stored?
Ideally? Not on the same server. That’s like hiding your spare keys inside your locked car. Most providers with WHMCS+Proxmox setups store backups offsite or in a dedicated backup space. You may also have the option to download your backups manually or push them to remote storage like S3, FTP, or your own NAS. Always confirm where your data lives, especially if you’re offering this service to clients.
4. How do I restore from a VPS backup?
Restoring is usually a simple task from your client panel. Just head to the Backups tab, pick the restore point you want, click restore, and confirm. The system will handle the rest.
Just be aware that some restore methods might wipe your current data completely, so double-check what the restore will overwrite. If you’re unsure, your provider’s support team can guide you through it.
5. Can I back up specific files or databases only?
Not usually, at least not with built-in snapshot systems. They’re designed to clone the entire VPS, not cherry-pick contents. That said, if you’re comfortable working in the terminal and want more granular control, tools like rsync, Duplicati, or BorgBackup let you create custom backup routines that only target specific folders or databases. Just know this requires a bit more hands-on setup.
6. Do backups slow down my VPS?
VSP backups do use system resources, but in well-configured setups, the performance hit is minimal. Snapshot backups, in particular, are designed to happen quickly and quietly.
If you do notice a slowdown, it might be because backups are running during peak traffic hours, or your VPS is already resource-constrained. Most users fix this by adjusting the schedule or upgrading their VPS resources slightly.
7. Should I test my VPS backups?
Definitely! And do it regularly. A backup is only useful if it actually restores properly. You don’t have to do it every week, but every so often, spin up a staging VPS, restore one of your backups, and make sure everything loads correctly. Check that databases connect, websites run, and files are intact. It’s a small time investment for a lot of peace of mind.
8. Are my VPS backups secure?
They should be. A good provider will encrypt backups at rest, transmit them over secure protocols, and store them offsite, ideally in a separate data center. On your end, make sure your hosting panel is locked down with strong passwords and two-factor authentication. If your backup setup isn’t encrypted or doesn’t mention redundancy, ask your host. This is non-negotiable in today’s threat landscape.
9. How many VPS backups should I keep?
It depends on your retention needs. Most setups will keep 3 to 7 backup versions by default, covering a few days to a week of rollback options. For more sophisticated needs, you might go with daily backups for a week, weekly backups for a month, and monthly archives for long-term storage. The idea is to have options because the most recent backup isn’t always the best one.
10. What happens if I don’t back up my VPS?
Let’s just say… you don’t want to find out. Whether it’s a hacked site, a broken update, or a server crash, not having a backup means starting from zero. No files, no configs, no recovery, just downtime, stress, and maybe some lost revenue. Backups are your safety net. Set them up now, and sleep better tonight.
Whether you’re hosting for yourself or clients, backups are a non-negotiable part of server management. With automation, remote storage, and regular testing, you can create a setup that quietly protects you in the background, until you need it most.
Don’t wait for a disaster to wish you had a backup.
