What is Snapshot VPS and why do you need it?

What is a Snapshot?

A snapshot is a snapshot of the virtual server's state.

It includes:

• file system;
• server settings;
• installed applications;
• virtual machine state.

In essence, a Snapshot allows you to return to a previous server state in a few minutes.

When is Snapshot useful?

Before updating your system

It is recommended to create a Snapshot before updating Ubuntu or Windows.

If problems arise after the update, the server can be quickly restored.

Before installing new software

For example:

• Docker;
• panels Management;
• CRM;
• Databases.

If the installation fails, the recovery will take several minutes.

Before Changing the Configuration

Changes to Apache, Nginx, or the database may cause errors.

Snapshot allows you to safely experiment with settings.

Snapshot and Backup are not the same thing

Many users confuse these concepts.

Snapshot:

• quickly created;
• quickly restored;
• usually stored for a short time.

Backup:

• intended for long-term storage;
• Protects against data deletion;
• Stored separately from the server.

For reliable protection, it is recommended to use both technologies simultaneously.

Advantages of Snapshot

• Fast recovery;
• Risk reduction;
• Ease of testing;
• Protection from administrator errors.

Conclusion

Snapshot is one of the most useful tools for VPS owners.

A few seconds to create a Snapshot can save hours of work if an error or failure occurs.