Plesk Backup Restoration Guide for Resellers: System and Customer Data Recovery

Overview

As a WebHostingM Plesk customer with a reseller account, you can restore data from backup files when facing data corruption or loss. This guide covers both restorations for all subscriptions under your reseller account and individual object recovery procedures.

Method 1: Full System Restoration

Step-by-Step Instructions:

1. Access Websites & Domains > Backup Manager
   You'll see backups from both server and remote storage locations
2. Select your target backup
3. Under "What do you want to restore?" choose "All objects (entire system)"
4. Configure component restoration:
   • Use checkboxes under "Components to restore" to select/deselect object classes
     Example: Selecting "Databases" will restore all databases and their users
5. Handle password requirements:
   • Preferred Method: Select "Get password from settings of Remote storage"
   • Alternative Method: Choose "Input password manually" if automatic retrieval fails
   • Fallback Option: Clear "Provide password" (Note: generates random passwords for restored objects)

Optional Configuration:

• Domain Protection: Enable "Suspend domains until the restoration is completed"
  Visitors will see a 503 error page during restoration
• Completion Notification: Enable email notifications with a valid email address

How To Restore Individual Plesk Objects

Available Object Types:

• Mail Accounts: Individual email account restoration
• Databases: Single database recovery
• Sites: Website restoration including associated components
• DNS Zones: Domain DNS configuration recovery
• Domain Files: Individual file restoration

Restoration Process:

1. Navigate to Websites & Domains > Backup Manager
2. Select the backup file
3. Choose "Selected objects" under "What do you want to restore?"
4. Select the object type
5. Move objects from "Available" to "Selected" column
   For fire restoration, use the "Add files" button to select specific files
6. Choose restoration scope:
   • Configuration Only: Restores structure (e.g., database users without data)
   • Configuration and Content: Complete restoration

Best Practices for Resellers

• Maintain regular backup schedules for all customer accounts
• Test restoration procedures periodically in a staging environment
• Document custom configurations before performing restorations
• Create fresh backups before major system changes
• Keep secure records of backup passwords

Common Issues and Solutions

• Password Issues: Try manual password entry if automatic retrieval fails
• Partial Restoration: Consider restoring specific components if the full restore fails
• Time Estimation: Restoration duration varies based on data size and server load
• Progress Monitoring: Track restoration progress in Backup Manager