How to remove old cpanel backup files

[bstock]

Hi, Is there a way to automatically delete all the cpanel backup files that are created each time a full backup is created?

Thanks

[Alan B]

Good question. I just delete them when connected via FTP. I have not seen a cPanel option to delete old ones automatically after a certain number have been created.

[Tony]

I don't even know a way to get cpanel to automatically do the backup itself, much less automatically delete all but the last x copies. So once a month I generate, download, and delete a full backup.

[bstock]

Recently tried out siteautobackup.com which backs up cpanels automatically and stores the backup file on its servers.

Seems very good especially as there is a free weekly backup only option (1 gb storage limit). I made mistake of scheduling all my sites at the same time, most worked but some produced backup files but did not ftp them to other site. My fault I suspect for placing too much work on my cpanels. When it works its brilliant as it not only backs up to another server but it also deletes the backupcopy just produced on my cpanel account.

Have spread the load over the week now so fingers crossed it works as advertised.

[Tony]

$4/month sounds like a good price for my 2.8gb monthly backups. And I'm not the type to worry too much about giving them access. The only thing that worries me would be the extra time involved in downloading the backup before it could be restored.

Reminds me of the popular Carbonite that's making tons of money these days by enabling mom and pop to no longer take any responsibility for their own backups, but makes no effort to remind them that it will take them a week to restore a full backup!

[bstock]

The only thing that worries me would be the extra time involved in downloading the backup before it could be restored.

Actually they provide a URL which you can supply to the cpanel host which should speed things up.

[Tony]

Actually they provide a URL which you can supply to the cpanel host which should speed things up.

I saw that but I don't see why that would speed anything up, unless maybe you're on dialup or slow DSL. Besides, by the time you talked the host into performing the task, they might just as well use their own backup. The whole point of keeping your own is so you can do it yourself. At another host if you move or have a falling out.

FWIW, the last time I needed my site restored the guy on live chat thought the whole thing was funny and didn't offer to help at all. Took me about 4 hours to upload the site myself.

[bstock]

4 hours seems a long time, my sites are nowhere near that big so that's not really a problem for me.

[Taras O.]

Another though is to create small script that would get files starting with 'backup-' to local machine and remove it from the server. You would need to start the backup process manually though.

Also you could use the link like:

hxxp://host:2082/frontend/x3/backup/dofullbackup.html?dest=passiveftp&server=HOSTNAME& user=FTP_user&pass=FTP_PASSWORD&email=EMAIL_ADDRES S&port=21&rdir=/

To start the backup and have it uploaded to the required server. In fact you can make local backup, but you'll have to play with the parameters passed in the GET request. Of course, you should be logged in. If you need to create the backup regularly it saves you extra minute, so you wouldn't type this all manually.