If you're seeing the Backup System Migration interface in WHM, it means you have legacy backups that need to be converted to the current backup system. The migration process is straightforward: first configure your backups using the modern Backup Configuration interface, then use the Backup System Migration tool to convert your existing legacy backup files. This one-time migration ensures better performance and gives you access to improved backup features like multiple retention points for incremental backups.
Why You Need to Migrate Your Backup System
The legacy backup system is being phased out in favor of a more efficient and feature-rich backup solution. The new backup system offers the same core functionality as the legacy system but with significant improvements in performance and capabilities. Most notably, while the legacy system only allowed one retention point for incremental backups, the new system supports multiple retention points, giving you more flexibility in managing your backup history.
The Backup System Migration interface was introduced in cPanel & WHM version 64 specifically to help server administrators transition their existing backups smoothly. This interface only appears when legacy backups are detected on your server.
Step-by-Step Migration Process
1. Configure the New Backup System First
Before migrating your legacy backups, you must set up your backup configuration using the modern Backup Configuration interface. Access this through WHM by navigating to Home, then Backup, then Backup Configuration. Configure your backup settings according to your needs, including backup schedule, destinations, and retention policies.
Critical: When setting up your new backup configuration, you must update your retention point value or you risk losing your existing backups. The legacy system defaulted to one retention point, but the new system requires you to explicitly set this value. You can find the Retention box under the Scheduling and Retention section in the Backup Configuration interface.
If you want to maintain the maximum number of backup retention points available, set the retention value to 9999.
2. Run the Migration Tool
Once you've configured the new backup system, navigate to the Backup System Migration interface in WHM. To begin the conversion and migration process, simply click the Migrate button.
During migration, the system performs these actions automatically:
- Creates a new configuration file at /var/cpanel/backups/config that duplicates your existing legacy backup settings
- Converts all legacy backup files to the new backup system format
- Renames your old legacy backup configuration file by appending a Unix epoch timestamp (for example, /etc/cpbackup.conf-1234567891234)
The migration process preserves your backup data while transitioning it to the more efficient new system.
What Happens After Migration
After successfully migrating to the new backup system, you should exclusively use the Backup Configuration interface for all future backup management tasks. The legacy backup configuration interface will be removed in a future cPanel & WHM release, so it's important to complete this migration and familiarize yourself with the new interface.
Your migrated backups will be immediately available in the new system, and you can continue running backups according to your configured schedule. The new system's improved efficiency means backup operations will generally complete faster and use server resources more effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I lose my existing backups during migration?
No, your existing backups are preserved during the migration process. However, you must properly configure retention settings in the new Backup Configuration interface before migrating, or the system may delete old backups according to the new retention policy. Always set your retention points appropriately before clicking Migrate.
Can I still access my legacy backups after migration?
Yes, the migration process converts your legacy backups to the new format, making them fully accessible through the new backup system. The old configuration file is renamed and preserved, but all backup functionality moves to the new system.
How long does the backup migration take?
Migration time depends on the size and number of your existing backups. For most servers, the process completes within minutes. The system handles the conversion automatically once you click the Migrate button, and you can monitor progress through the interface.
What should I set my retention points to after migration?
Your retention point setting depends on your backup strategy and available storage space. If you want to keep the maximum number of backups possible, set the retention value to 9999. For most users, a retention value between 7 and 30 provides a good balance between backup history and storage usage.
If you need assistance with backup system migration or have questions about configuring your backup settings, OBHost's support team is available 24/7 to help. Contact us at https://www.obhost.net/contact or email support@obhost.org for technical assistance.
