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Instance Snapshots

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descriptionDescribes how to create and restore point-in-time snapshots of instance volumes.

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Instance Snapshots

Instance Snapshots are point-in-time copies of your virtual machine’s root volume and data volumes. They provide a reliable way to create backups, test upgrades, and clone environments.

Types of Snapshots

  1. Volume Snapshot: Captures the data on a specific disk volume (e.g., Root or Data Disk).

    • Consistent: Best practice is to stop write operations or the instance before snapshotting to ensure data consistency.
    • Backup: Stored redundantly across availability zones.

  2. VM Snapshot (Memory Included) (Advanced): Captures the entire running state of the VM, including RAM contents.

    • Live: Can be taken while the VM is running.
    • Instant Restore: Reverts the VM exactly to the moment the snapshot was taken, preserving open applications.
    • Note: Requires KVM-specific support and may briefly pause the VM.

Creating a Snapshot

  1. Navigate to Storage > Volumes.
  2. Select the volume you wish to back up (e.g., “ROOT-123”).
  3. Click Take Snapshot.
  4. Name: Provide a descriptive name (e.g., backup-pre-upgrade).
  5. Description: Optional notes.

Scheduled Backups

You can automate daily, weekly, or monthly snapshots:

  1. Select the volume.
  2. Click Recurring Snapshots.
  3. Define the Time, Time Zone, Days of Week, and Keep Last X (retention policy).

Restoring from Snapshot

To restore data:

  1. Navigate to Storage > Snapshots.
  2. Select the snapshot.
  3. Click Create Volume: Creates a new disk volume from the snapshot.
    • Detach the old volume from the instance.
    • Attach the new volume.
    • Or: Create a Template (Image) from the snapshot to launch new instances.

Usage & Pricing

  • Snapshots are billed based on the storage size consumed (incremental backups save space).
  • Regular pruning of old snapshots via retention policies is recommended to manage costs.

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