{"slug":"automated-snapshots","title":"Automated Snapshots","description":"Automated snapshots provide a convenient way to automatically create daily backups of your instances without manual intervention. These snapshots are created on a schedule and automatically cleaned up...","section":null,"url":"https://docs.danubedata.ro/automated-snapshots","markdown_url":"https://docs.danubedata.ro/automated-snapshots.md","breadcrumbs":[],"headings":[{"level":1,"title":"Automated Snapshots","id":"automated-snapshots"},{"level":2,"title":"Overview","id":"overview"},{"level":2,"title":"How It Works","id":"how-it-works"},{"level":3,"title":"Schedule","id":"schedule"},{"level":3,"title":"Retention Policy","id":"retention-policy"},{"level":2,"title":"Enabling Automated Snapshots","id":"enabling-automated-snapshots"},{"level":3,"title":"For VPS Instances","id":"for-vps-instances"},{"level":3,"title":"For Cache Instances","id":"for-cache-instances"},{"level":3,"title":"For Database Instances","id":"for-database-instances"},{"level":2,"title":"Viewing Automated Snapshots","id":"viewing-automated-snapshots"},{"level":3,"title":"Centralized Snapshots Page","id":"centralized-snapshots-page"},{"level":3,"title":"Instance Details Page","id":"instance-details-page"},{"level":2,"title":"Automated vs Manual Snapshots","id":"automated-vs-manual-snapshots"},{"level":2,"title":"Best Practices","id":"best-practices"},{"level":2,"title":"Restoring from Automated Snapshots","id":"restoring-from-automated-snapshots"},{"level":2,"title":"Frequently Asked Questions","id":"frequently-asked-questions"},{"level":3,"title":"Can I change the schedule?","id":"can-i-change-the-schedule"},{"level":3,"title":"Can I change the retention period?","id":"can-i-change-the-retention-period"},{"level":3,"title":"What happens if a snapshot creation fails?","id":"what-happens-if-a-snapshot-creation-fails"},{"level":3,"title":"Do automated snapshots affect instance performance?","id":"do-automated-snapshots-affect-instance-performance"},{"level":3,"title":"Can I disable automated snapshots temporarily?","id":"can-i-disable-automated-snapshots-temporarily"},{"level":3,"title":"Are automated snapshots included in my plan?","id":"are-automated-snapshots-included-in-my-plan"},{"level":2,"title":"Related Documentation","id":"related-documentation"}],"format":"markdown","word_count":844,"content":"# Automated Snapshots\n\nAutomated snapshots provide a convenient way to automatically create daily backups of your instances without manual intervention. These snapshots are created on a schedule and automatically cleaned up after a retention period.\n\n## Overview\n\nAutomated snapshots complement manual snapshots by providing:\n\n- **Daily automatic backups** of your instances\n- **Automatic retention management** - old snapshots are cleaned up automatically\n- **Consistent backup schedule** - snapshots are created at the same time every day\n- **Peace of mind** - know your data is being backed up regularly\n\n## How It Works\n\n### Schedule\n\nBy default, automated snapshots are created daily at **2:00 AM UTC**. A [backup policy](/backups-recovery#backup-policies) replaces that default for one instance: from its **Backups** tab choose **Set your own schedule** and pick the time, the timezone it applies in, and whether snapshots are taken every day, on weekdays or once a week. On the schedule the system will automatically:\n\n1. Create a snapshot for each instance that has automated snapshots enabled\n2. Name the snapshot with a standardized format: `automated-YYYYMMDD`\n3. Mark the snapshot as automated for easy identification\n\n### Retention Policy\n\nAutomated snapshots are retained for **3 days** by default; a backup policy sets any retention from **1 to 90 days**. After this period, they are automatically deleted to free up storage space. This retention policy only applies to automated snapshots - manual snapshots are never automatically deleted.\n\nThe cleanup process runs daily at **4:00 AM UTC**, removing snapshots older than the retention period.\n\n## Enabling Automated Snapshots\n\nAutomated snapshots are **opt-in** and must be enabled individually for each instance:\n\n### For VPS Instances\n\n1. Navigate to your VPS instance details page\n2. Go to the **Settings** or **Snapshots** tab\n3. Toggle the **\"Enable Automated Snapshots\"** option\n4. Save your changes\n\n### For Cache Instances\n\n1. Navigate to your Cache instance details page\n2. Go to the **Settings** or **Snapshots** tab\n3. Toggle the **\"Enable Automated Snapshots\"** option\n4. Save your changes\n\n### For Database Instances\n\n1. Navigate to your Database instance details page\n2. Go to the **Settings** or **Snapshots** tab\n3. Toggle the **\"Enable Automated Snapshots\"** option\n4. Save your changes\n\n## Viewing Automated Snapshots\n\nYou can view all your snapshots (both automated and manual) in two ways:\n\n### Centralized Snapshots Page\n\nVisit the **Snapshots** page from the main navigation menu to see all snapshots across all your instances in one place. You can:\n\n- Filter by instance type (VPS, Cache, Database)\n- Filter by automated vs manual snapshots\n- Filter by status (ready, creating, failed, etc.)\n- Search by instance name\n- Sort by various columns\n\n### Instance Details Page\n\nEach instance's details page shows snapshots specific to that instance, including both automated and manual snapshots. Automated snapshots are clearly marked with an \"Automated\" badge.\n\n## Automated vs Manual Snapshots\n\n| Feature | Automated Snapshots | Manual Snapshots |\n|---------|---------------------|------------------|\n| Creation | Automatic, daily at 2 AM UTC | Created manually by you |\n| Naming | Standardized: `automated-YYYYMMDD` | Custom name of your choice |\n| Retention | Automatically deleted after 3 days | Kept until manually deleted |\n| Use Case | Regular daily backups | Important milestones, pre-maintenance backups |\n\n## Best Practices\n\n1. **Enable for production instances** - Always enable automated snapshots for production workloads\n2. **Use manual snapshots too** - Create manual snapshots before major changes or updates\n3. **Monitor snapshot status** - Check the snapshots page regularly to ensure backups are completing successfully\n4. **Plan your maintenance** - Schedule maintenance after the automated snapshot time (2 AM UTC) to ensure you have a recent backup\n\n## Restoring from Automated Snapshots\n\nAutomated snapshots work exactly like manual snapshots for restoration purposes:\n\n1. Navigate to the snapshot (either from the centralized Snapshots page or the instance details page)\n2. Click the **Restore** button\n3. Follow the restoration process\n\n**Note:** You can restore from an automated snapshot even after it would normally be deleted, as long as you initiate the restore before the cleanup runs.\n\n## Frequently Asked Questions\n\n### Can I change the schedule?\n\nYes. Open the instance's **Backups** tab and choose **Set your own schedule**: pick the time and the timezone, and how often (every day, weekdays, or once a week). Instances without their own policy keep the 2:00 AM UTC default.\n\n### Can I change the retention period?\n\nYes, in the same backup policy: any retention from 1 to 90 days. Shortening it removes older automated snapshots at the next cleanup; manual snapshots are never touched.\n\n### What happens if a snapshot creation fails?\n\nFailed automated snapshots are logged and visible in the snapshots list. The system will attempt to create a new snapshot the next day. You should investigate any persistent failures.\n\n### Do automated snapshots affect instance performance?\n\nSnapshot creation has minimal impact on instance performance. The process is designed to be non-disruptive and runs during typically low-traffic hours.\n\n### Can I disable automated snapshots temporarily?\n\nYes, you can toggle the automated snapshots setting off at any time. Simply disable the option in your instance settings. You can re-enable it later.\n\n### Are automated snapshots included in my plan?\n\nSnapshot storage follows the same pricing as manual snapshots. Check your billing dashboard for storage costs.\n\n## Related Documentation\n\n- [VPS Snapshots](https://docs.danubedata.ro/vps-snapshots) - Learn about VPS-specific snapshot features\n- [Database Backups](https://docs.danubedata.ro/databases-backups) - Understand database backup systems\n- [Cache Snapshots](https://docs.danubedata.ro/storage-snapshots) - Learn about cache instance snapshots\n\n\n\n","prev":null,"next":null,"index_url":"https://docs.danubedata.ro/index.json"}