Creating Backups in DirectAdmin

JetBackup is the official backup solution available on {{COMPANY_NAME}} DirectAdmin shared hosting servers. It provides automated and on-demand backup capabilities for your files, databases, emails, and account settings.

Accessing JetBackup

1. Log in to your DirectAdmin control panel
2. Navigate to Extra Features or Advanced Features
3. Click on JetBackup (look for the JetBackup icon)

Alternatively, you may find JetBackup under Account Manager > Backups depending on your DirectAdmin skin.

Types of Backups

Full Account Backup

A full backup includes everything in your hosting account:

• All website files and directories
• All databases (MySQL/MariaDB)
• Email accounts and messages
• DNS zone files
• SSL certificates
• Cron jobs and account settings

Partial Backup

You can also back up individual components:

• Files only — Website files and directories
• Databases only — Individual MySQL/MariaDB databases
• Emails only — Email accounts and stored messages
• DNS zones — DNS configuration records

Creating an On-Demand Backup

Full Account Backup

1. Open JetBackup in DirectAdmin
2. Click Backups or Full Account Backups
3. Click Generate Backup or Create New Backup
4. Select Full Backup
5. Choose the backup destination (local storage is the default)
6. Click Create or Start Backup
7. Wait for the backup to complete — you will see a progress indicator

Backing Up Specific Files

1. In JetBackup, go to File Backups
2. Select an existing backup point from the list
3. Browse to the files/directories you want to back up
4. Select the items and click Download to save a copy

Backing Up a Database

1. In JetBackup, go to Database Backups
2. You will see a list of available backup snapshots
3. Select the database you want to back up
4. Click Download to get a copy of the database dump

Tip: Always create a manual backup before making significant changes to your website, such as updating CMS software, installing plugins, or modifying database tables.

Scheduled (Automatic) Backups

JetBackup runs automatic backups on a schedule configured by the server administrator. On {{COMPANY_NAME}} servers:

• Daily backups are retained for the last 7 days (typical)
• Weekly backups may be retained for up to 4 weeks
• Backup schedules may vary by hosting plan

You do not need to configure scheduled backups — they run automatically. You can view available backup points in the JetBackup interface.

Tip: While automatic backups provide a safety net, always maintain your own off-server backups for critical data. Download backups periodically and store them locally.

Downloading Backups

To download a backup for offline storage:

1. Go to the relevant backup section (Full, Files, Databases, or Emails)
2. Select the backup date/snapshot
3. Click Download
4. The backup file will be prepared and a download link provided
5. Download and store the file securely on your local machine or external storage

Backup Best Practices

1. Before updates: Always create a backup before updating WordPress, Joomla, or other CMS platforms
2. Before code changes: Back up before deploying new code or making theme modifications
3. Regular downloads: Download backups to your local machine periodically — server backups can be lost if the server fails
4. Test restores: Periodically verify that your backups can be restored successfully
5. Database backups before queries: If running manual SQL queries, back up the database first

Troubleshooting

• JetBackup not visible in DirectAdmin: Contact {{COMPANY_NAME}} support — JetBackup may need to be enabled for your account or server.
• Backup generation fails: Your account may be exceeding disk quota. Free up space and try again.
• Download link expired: Backup download links are temporary. Generate a new download if the link has expired.
• Backup taking too long: Large accounts with many files or large databases take longer. Let the process complete without interruption.

Related Articles

• Restoring from JetBackup in DirectAdmin
• DirectAdmin File Manager Guide
• DirectAdmin Database Management

Need help with backups? Contact {{COMPANY_NAME}} support at {{SUPPORT_EMAIL}} or open a ticket at {{SUPPORT_URL}}.