Knowledgebase

DirectAdmin allows you to create backups of specific parts of your account, such as FTP data, emails, or databases. This feature is particularly useful when you need to backup or migrate specific types of data. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to generate and download these targeted backups:

Generating a Targeted Backup

1. Log in to your DirectAdmin account.
2. Navigate to the backup tool:
   • Option 1: In the "Advanced Features" section, click on the "Create/Restore Backups" icon.
   • Option 2: Type 'Restore' in the navigation filter box and select the appropriate option.
3. Under "Select Items to include in Backup":
   • For Email backup: Untick all options except those under the Email section.
   • For FTP backup: Select only the options under the FTP section.
   • For Database backup: Choose only the options in the Database section.
4. Scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Create Backup" button.
5. You'll see a success message: "Backup creation is added to the queue."
6. Once complete, a notification will appear in the Support Center (under "Support & Help" section).

Downloading Your Targeted Backup

1. Log in to your DirectAdmin account.
2. Access the File Manager:
   • Option 1: Click the "File Manager" icon in the "System Info & Files" section.
   • Option 2: Type 'File Manager' in the navigation filter box and select it.
3. Navigate to the "backups" folder.
4. Locate your newly-generated backup file. It should be identifiable by the date and type of backup.
5. Hover your mouse over the backup file to reveal the context menu.
6. Click "Download" to save the file to your computer. Choose a secure, easily accessible location for storage.

Benefits of Targeted Backups

• Efficiency: Backing up specific data types can be less time-consuming than full backups.
• Storage optimization: Targeted backups typically require less storage space.
• Faster restoration: When you need to restore specific data, targeted backups allow for quicker, more focused recovery.
• Easier migration: If you're moving specific services or data to a new host, targeted backups simplify the process.

Best Practices

• Regular backups: Schedule frequent backups of critical data.
• Diverse backup types: Combine full backups with targeted backups for comprehensive data protection.
• Verification: Periodically test your backups to ensure they can be successfully restored.
• Secure storage: Keep backups in multiple secure locations, including off-site or cloud storage.
• Documentation: Maintain a log of what each backup contains and when it was created.

By following these steps and best practices, you can effectively create and manage targeted backups in DirectAdmin, ensuring that your critical data is always protected and easily recoverable when needed.