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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a system backup and a user backup?

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Last Updated: July 25, 2013 1:25 PM

There are two types of backup: System Backup and User Backup. In addition to the system backups, we recommend maintaining user backups for your records. Here is a list of differences between the two backup file types:

How Backup Files are Created:

  • System Backup Files — created automatically by our system throughout the day. There are no guarantees for a specific time. The System back up is only available after there was an initial User back up.
  • User Backup Files — created by the customer using the back-up feature in the Hosting Control Panel's database administration tools. Alternatively, you can upload MySQL database files to _db_backups folder on the root level of the hosting account.
Where Backup Files are Stored
  • System Backup Files — stored on servers inaccessible to the user, but can still be restored through the control panel.
  • User Backup Files — stored in the_db_backups folder on the root level of the your hosting account.
How Backup Files are Managed:
  • System Backup Files — managed by our system, which periodically creates and replaces these files.
  • User Backup Files — managed by the user. Using an FTP client, you can download, upload, rename, and delete these files.
How Backup Files are Named:
  • System Back-Up Files — use the database name.
  • User Back-Up Files — use the database name. While you cannot define a filename during the back-up process, you can rename a file once the process is complete.

Note: You must use the appropriate filename extension when renaming any back-up file: MySQL files use the .sql extension. SQL Server files use the .bak extension.

For more information, see Backing up and Restoring MySQL or MSSQL Databases.