# Automating and Managing Server Backups

Backups are essential for safeguarding your server data. The panel offers multiple ways to back up your server, including manual backups via the **Backups** tab, downloading server files via SFTP, and automating backups using scheduled tasks.

# Creating Backups via the Control Panel

1. Log in to the [Ridgeline Servers Control Panel](https://panel.ridgelineservers.com).
2. Navigate to your server and click on the **Backups** tab in the menu.
3. Click the **Create Backup** button.
4. Optionally, you can enable **Lock Backup** to prevent automatic deletion if your server exceeds its backup limit.
5. Click **Start Backup** to begin the process. Once completed, the backup will appear in the list for download or restoration.

---

**Additional Help**  
If you encounter any issues or need further assistance, open a support ticket via the [Billing Area](https://billing.ridgelineservers.com/tickets). Our support team is ready to assist you.

# Creating Manual Backups via SFTP

If you'd prefer to back up your server files manually:

1. Log in to the [Ridgeline Servers Control Panel](https://panel.ridgelineservers.com) and access the **SFTP Details** from the **Settings** tab.
2. Use an SFTP client (e.g., FileZilla or WinSCP) to connect to your server with the provided details.
3. Navigate to your server directory and download the necessary files and folders to your local machine. 
    - Key folders to back up: 
        - **world** (or other custom world folders)
        - **plugins** (for plugin configurations)
        - **mods** (if applicable)
4. Store the downloaded files securely.

---

**Additional Help**  
If you encounter any issues or need further assistance, open a support ticket via the [Billing Area](https://billing.ridgelineservers.com/tickets). Our support team is ready to assist you.

# Automating Backups

Automating backups ensures your server is consistently protected without manual intervention:

1. Log in to the [Ridgeline Servers Control Panel](https://panel.ridgelineservers.com).
2. Go to your server and open the **Schedules** tab.
3. Click **Create New Schedule** and set a name for the task (e.g., "Daily Backup").
4. Use the **Cron Expression** field to specify when the task will run. 
    - For example: 
        - `0 2 * * *` to run the backup daily at 2 AM.
        - `0 */6 * * *` to run every six hours.
    - If you’re unfamiliar with cronjob syntax, consult [https://crontab.guru/examples.html](https://crontab.guru/examples.html) or the cheat sheet provided in the panel.
5. Under **Actions**, click **Add New Task** and select **Create Backup**.
6. Enable **Task is Active**, then click **Create Schedule**.

The schedule will now automatically create backups at the specified times.

---

**Additional Help**  
If you encounter any issues or need further assistance, open a support ticket via the [Billing Area](https://billing.ridgelineservers.com/tickets). Our support team is ready to assist you.