How to create a backup for your UniFi Controller

Backups in UniFi and networking environments are super important for the safety of your network. Especially for disaster recovery and maintaining continuity.

A backup enables quick restoration of your network in case of hardware failures, software issues, or security breaches.

Here is how to create backups and also how you can restore your network from a backup.

Let's dive in!

Table of Contents

• Understanding UniFi Controller Backups
• How to Backup UniFi Controller
• Restoring from a Backup
• Tips for Effective Backup Management
• Final Thoughts

Understanding UniFi Controller Backups

The UniFi Controller manages your UniFi network, including device settings, network configurations, and user profiles. A backup of the UniFi Controller ensures that you can quickly restore your network to a previous state.

How to Backup UniFi Controller

1. Access the UniFi Controller: Log into your UniFi Controller using a web browser.

2. Navigate to Settings: Once logged in, click on the 'Settings' gear icon in the lower-left corner of the dashboard.

3. System Settings: Within the Settings menu, find and select the 'System' section.

4. Backup Options: In the System settings, navigate to the 'Backup' section. Here you'll find options to manage your backups.

5. Create Backup: Click on the ‘Download Backup’ button. This action will prompt the Controller to create a backup file and download it to your local computer. The backup file will include all your site's configuration and settings.

6. Save the Backup File: Ensure the backup file is stored in a safe and secure location. Consider using cloud storage or an external drive for redundancy.

Restoring from a Backup

In case you need to restore your UniFi network settings from a backup:

1. Access the UniFi Controller's setup wizard by installing the Controller software on a new system or resetting your existing Controller.
2. During the setup process, you'll be given the option to 'Restore from a Backup'. Choose this option and upload your backup file.
3. Follow the on-screen instructions to complete the restoration process.

Tips for Effective Backup Management

• Regular Backups: Schedule regular backups to ensure your configurations are up-to-date (at UniHosted we do this every 24 hours).
• Multiple Storage Locations: Store backups in multiple locations to prevent data loss.
• Test Your Backups: Periodically test backups to ensure they can be restored successfully.

Final Thoughts

Regularly backing up your UniFi Controller is an really important practice to make sure your network's configuration is safe. At UniHosted, we manage this for you. We are a cloud-hosted UniFi Controller that takes your network to the next level.

We create daily backups of your networks, so you don't have to (and we do it for free). Try us!