How to Back Up Your VPS (Snapshots vs File Backups)

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VPS backups come in two main types: system snapshots (fast recovery) and file-level backups (more flexible). The best practice is using both.

Option A: Snapshots (best for quick rollback)

A snapshot captures the VPS disk state at a point in time. It’s useful before updates or major config changes. If something breaks, you can roll back quickly.

Option B: File-level backups (best for long-term safety)

File backups copy your website files, databases, and configs to another location (object storage, another server, or your local machine). This is essential in case of corruption or accidental deletions.

What to back up

At minimum:

  • Website/app files (/var/www or your app directory)
  • Database dumps (MySQL/MariaDB/PostgreSQL)
  • Web server configs (Nginx/Apache)
  • SSL certificates and renewal configs
  • Important system configs (users, cron jobs)

Recommended schedule

  • Daily database dumps (if your site changes often)
  • Weekly full file backups
  • Snapshot before major changes
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