How to exclude specific files or folders from the Plesk backup

How to exclude specific files or folders from the Plesk backup

Excluding specific files or folders from a Plesk backup is a valuable feature, especially for a website developer and server administrator like yourself, who may need to tailor backups to specific requirements or to manage server space efficiently. Plesk allows you to exclude certain files or directories from your backup to prevent unnecessary data from being stored. Here’s a detailed guide on how to do this:

Step-by-Step Guide to Exclude Specific Files/Folders in Plesk Backup

Accessing Backup Settings

1. Log into Plesk:
   • Enter your credentials to access your Plesk control panel. Typically, the URL is in the format https://yourdomain.com:8443.
2. Navigate to Backup Manager:
   • Once logged in, go to the ‘Websites & Domains’ tab and find the ‘Backup Manager’. This is where you manage all backup-related tasks.

Configuring Backup Exclusions

3. Access Backup Settings:
   • In the Backup Manager, look for an option to configure or customize the backup settings. This could be a button or a link named ‘Backup Settings’, ‘Scheduled Backup Settings’, or similar.
4. Locate Exclusion Settings:
   • Within the backup settings, find the section where you can specify files or directories to exclude. This is often labeled as ‘Exclude certain files from the backup’, ‘Files and directories exclusion’, or something along those lines.
5. Specify Exclusions:
   • In the exclusion section, you can specify the files or folders you want to exclude from the backup. This is typically done by entering the paths to the files or directories.
   • File Paths: Enter the full path to each file or folder you wish to exclude. For example, /httpdocs/foldername to exclude a specific folder, or /httpdocs/foldername/filename.ext for a specific file.
   • Using Wildcards: In some versions of Plesk, you can use wildcards (like * or ?) to exclude multiple files or folders that match a certain pattern.
6. Save Changes:
   • After specifying the exclusions, save your changes. Look for a button like ‘OK’, ‘Save’, or ‘Apply’ to confirm the changes.

Additional Considerations

7. Test the Backup:
   • After configuring the exclusions, it’s a good idea to run a test backup to ensure that the exclusions are working as expected. Verify the backup content to ensure the specified files/folders are indeed excluded.
8. Regular Review:
   • Periodically review your backup exclusions. As projects evolve, your backup requirements might change, necessitating updates to the exclusion list.
9. Documentation:
   • Document your backup configurations and exclusions, especially if you are part of a team. This ensures that everyone is aware of the backup setup and can help in troubleshooting if needed.

Conclusion

Customizing your Plesk backups by excluding specific files or folders is an effective way to manage server resources and backup sizes. This feature is particularly useful when dealing with large files or folders that are not essential for site restoration. As a professional in web development and server administration, such tailored backups can lead to more efficient storage management and quicker restoration times. Always ensure that your backup strategy aligns with your overall data management and disaster recovery plans.