The Review Transfers and Restores interface in WHM allows you to monitor and troubleshoot account transfers and restoration processes on your server. This tool displays detailed logs for both completed and pending transfer sessions, helping you identify issues and track progress when moving accounts between servers or restoring from backups.
Understanding Transfer Logs
The transfer logs interface organizes information into two main sections: Completed Sessions and Pending Sessions. Completed sessions show finished transfers, while pending sessions display transfers currently in progress or those that have stalled.
To access these logs, navigate to WHM and select the Transfer or Restore a cPanel Account interface. The system automatically tracks all transfer activities and maintains detailed logs for each session.
Two critical log files store transfer and restoration data:
- /usr/local/cpanel/logs/backup_restore_manager_log contains the main restoration process logs
- /usr/local/cpanel/logs/backup_restore_manager_error_log contains error messages and troubleshooting information
How Log Rotation Works
The system automatically manages transfer logs to prevent storage issues. If a pending transfer shows no activity for two hours, the system marks it as failed to prevent indefinite hanging.
The cleanup script /usr/local/cpanel/scripts/expunge_expired_transfer_sessions runs during nightly maintenance and removes session logs older than 30 days. This automatic rotation keeps your server organized without manual intervention.
Session Information Details
Each transfer session displays several key attributes to help you track and manage account migrations:
- Session: The unique session ID assigned to each transfer
- Initiator: The process or user that started the transfer
- Source Host: The hostname of the server where the account originated
- Start Time: When the transfer began, displayed in UTC format (YYYY-MM-DD-hh-mm-ss)
- Status: Current state of the transfer (completed, pending, or failed)
The UTC time format breaks down as: YYYY for year, MM for month, DD for day, hh for hour, mm for minute, and ss for second. This standardized format ensures consistency across different time zones.
Advanced Troubleshooting Options
When standard transfer logs don't provide enough detail to resolve issues, you can enable additional diagnostic logging. The xferdebug touch file activates verbose logging that captures more detailed information about the transfer process.
This advanced diagnostic mode helps identify complex issues related to permissions, file transfers, or network connectivity during account migrations. After troubleshooting, you can remove the touch file to return to standard logging levels.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the system keep transfer logs?
Transfer session logs are automatically deleted after 30 days by the nightly maintenance script. If you need to retain logs longer for compliance or troubleshooting purposes, you should manually backup the log files before the 30-day period expires.
What does it mean when a transfer shows as pending for hours?
A transfer stuck in pending status typically indicates a stalled process. The system automatically marks transfers as failed after two hours of inactivity. Common causes include network interruptions, insufficient disk space, or permission issues on either the source or destination server.
Where can I find error details for failed transfers?
Failed transfer details appear in the /usr/local/cpanel/logs/backup_restore_manager_error_log file. This error log contains specific messages about what went wrong during the transfer process, including file permission errors, connection timeouts, or disk space issues.
Can I retry a failed transfer session?
Yes, you can initiate a new transfer for the same account using the Transfer or Restore a cPanel Account interface. The system creates a new session ID for each attempt, allowing you to compare logs between different transfer attempts to identify persistent issues.
If you need assistance reviewing transfer logs or troubleshooting migration issues, the OBHost support team is available 24/7 to help. Contact us at https://www.obhost.net/contact or email support@obhost.org for technical assistance.
