FAQ » Servers
Configuring Amazon S3 Backups in cPanel WHM
Introduction
cPanel WHM (Web Host Manager) offers a user-friendly interface to configure automated backups of your website data. One of the most secure and reliable storage options for these backups is Amazon S3 (Simple Storage Service). In this guide, we will walk you through the process of configuring Amazon S3 backups in cPanel WHM.
Prerequisites:
Before you begin, ensure you have the following prerequisites:
Access to cPanel WHM: You should have administrative access to your cPanel WHM dashboard.
An Amazon AWS Account: If you don't have one, you can sign up for an AWS account at https://aws.amazon.com.
AWS Access Key and Secret Key: You'll need these credentials to connect cPanel WHM to your AWS S3 bucket.
S3 Bucket: Create an S3 bucket in your AWS account where your backups will be stored.
Step 1: Accessing WHM Backup Configuration
Log in to your cPanel WHM dashboard.
In the WHM dashboard, search for "Backup" in the search bar, and click on "Backup Configuration."
This will take you to the Backup Configuration page, where you can configure your backup settings.
Step 2: Configuring Backup Settings
In the Backup Configuration page, scroll down to the "Additional Destinations" section.
Click on the "Amazon S3" option under "Additional Destinations."
Enter your AWS Access Key and Secret Key in the respective fields.
Specify the region for your S3 bucket. Make sure it matches the region where your S3 bucket is located.
Enter the name of your S3 bucket in the "Bucket Name" field.
Optionally, you can specify a prefix for your backups in the "Remote Destination Directory" field. This can help organize your backups within your S3 bucket.
Configure additional settings, such as backup frequency, retention, and notification preferences according to your requirements.
Step 3: Testing and Saving Configuration
After configuring your settings, click the "Save Destination" button.
To test the configuration, click on the "Test Destination" button. This will confirm if cPanel WHM can successfully connect to your S3 bucket.
If the test is successful, you will receive a confirmation message. If not, double-check your AWS credentials and S3 bucket settings.
Step 4: Running a Backup to Amazon S3
Now that you've configured Amazon S3 as a backup destination, you can initiate a backup to test the setup or wait for the scheduled backup time.
Return to the Backup Configuration page.
In the "Backup Status" section, click the "Backup Now" button to initiate an immediate backup to Amazon S3.
Monitor the progress of the backup process. Once completed, you will receive a notification.
Conclusion
Configuring Amazon S3 backups in cPanel WHM provides a secure and reliable way to protect your website data. By following this step-by-step guide, you can ensure that your website data is regularly backed up to an Amazon S3 bucket, reducing the risk of data loss and facilitating disaster recovery. Be sure to regularly monitor your backups and adjust the retention policy in your S3 bucket as needed to manage storage costs effectively.
Last updated: 2018-02-24