Tutorial VPS Hosting

Creating and Managing Snapshots

Updated 6 min read

Introduction

Snapshots save a point-in-time copy of your Cloud Server’s local storage. You can restore your server to the point-in-time when the snapshot was taken, transfer a copy of your snapshot to another location, or create a new Cloud Server from a snapshot.

Snapshot highlights:

Save a point-in-time copy of your Cloud Server’s local storage
Restore your server to the point-in-time when the snapshot was taken
Transfer a copy of your snapshots to another location
Automatically encrypted at rest to provide a safe home for your data
Straight forward pricing at 5 cents per GB per month for each location a snapshot is stored
Pricing is based on the size of the snapshot, not the size of the disk/file system being saved

What you will learn in this guide

Creating a Snapshot
Restoring a Snapshot
Making a Snapshot Available in Another Location
Creating a Cloud Server from a Snapshot
Migrating a Cloud Server using Snapshots
Deleting a Snapshot from a Location
Deleting a Snapshot from all Locations

Creating a Snapshot

In the Atlantic.Net Control Panel, click on “Snapshots”, then click the “Take Snapshot” button. Next select the server to snapshot, provide a descriptive name for the snapshot, and press “Create” to create the Snapshot.

Take Snapshot panel for creating a snapshot of a Cloud Server

After the Snapshot is done creating, you should see that the Volume is attached to the server you chose.

Snapshots list showing a completed snapshot with Restore and Add Server options

Restoring a Snapshot

You can restore your server to the point-in-time when the snapshot was taken. You may wish to do this to recover deleted files, accidental configuration changes, etc.

In the Atlantic.Net Control Panel, click on “Snapshots”, then click the “Restore” button associated with Snapshot you wish to restore from.

Snapshots list showing the snapshot to restore with the Restore button

You will be presented with information regarding the Snapshot and important information regarding the restore process. If you wish to proceed, click the “Restore” button to begin the restore process.
Restore Server From Snapshot confirmation dialog with the Restore button

Making a Snapshot Available in Another Location

If you want to use a Snapshot in a location other than where the Snapshot was created, you’ll need to make the snapshot available in that location. Doing so will allow you to create new Cloud Servers from the Snapshot.

In the Atlantic.Net Control Panel, click on “Snapshots”, then click the “More” button associated with Snapshot you wish to make available in another location.

Snapshots list showing the More menu option for a snapshot

You will be presented with a list showing the locations the Snapshot is currently available (“Available in”) and a list showing locations where you can make it available (“Make Available in”). Click the “+” symbol next to the locations you wish to make the Snapshot available in.

More menu showing available and make-available locations for a snapshot

A spinner will display while the Snapshot is being copied to the desired location(s). This process may take several minutes.

When the image is done being copied to the desired location(s) a check mark will be displayed representing that the Snapshot is now available in that location. You can now create new Cloud Servers from the Snapshot in that location.

More menu showing the snapshot now available in a second location

Creating a Cloud Server from a Snapshot

You can create new Cloud Servers from an existing Snapshot in any location where the Snapshot resides.

Note: If the Snapshot is not currently in the location you wish to create the new Cloud Server, simply make the Snapshot available in the desired location then follow the steps below.

You can create a new Cloud Server from a Snapshot from either the Add Server Page or from the Snapshots Page.

From the Add Server Page

In the Atlantic.Net Control Panel, click on “Servers”, then click the “Add Server” button. Next select “Snapshots” under the “Type” section and click name of the Snapshot you wish to create the New Server from. You can then choose the quantity of Cloud Servers to create and whether you would like to have a new password generated for the server(s) or keep the original password of your Snapshot. You will then proceed to select the same remaining options as you would when building a Cloud Server.

Add Server page Snapshots tab with a snapshot selected and quantity option

From the Snapshot Page

In the Atlantic.Net Control Panel, click on “Snapshots”, then click the “Add Server” button associated with Snapshot you wish to create a new Cloud Server from.

Snapshots list showing the Add Server button for a snapshot

On the Add Server from Snapshot page you can then choose the quantity of Cloud Servers to create and whether you would like to have a new password generated for the server(s) or keep the original password of your Snapshot. You will then proceed to select the same remaining options as you would when building a Cloud Server.

Creating from Snapshot panel showing the source snapshot and server quantity option

Migrating a Cloud Server using Snapshots

There may be times when you wish to migrate your Cloud Server from one location to another one. You can accomplish by first Making a Snapshot Available in Another Location and then Creating a Cloud Server from a Snapshot.

Deleting a Snapshot from a Location

When you no longer want a Snapshot in a specific location you can delete it from that location.

In the Atlantic.Net Control Panel, click on “Snapshots”, then click the “More” button associated with Snapshot you wish delete from a specific location.

Snapshots list showing the Add Server button for a snapshot

You will be presented with a list showing the locations the Snapshot is currently available (“Available in”). Click the “X” symbol next to the location you wish to delete the Snapshot from.
More menu showing the location to remove a snapshot from
You will be presented with information regarding the Snapshot. Press the “Remove Snapshot From Location” button to delete the Snapshot from the specified location. Once the Snapshot is deleted from a location you will no longer be charged for the storage of that Snapshot in that location.
Snapshot Details modal with the Remove Snapshot From Location button
You should now see that the Snapshot you deleted is no longer listed in the “Available in” section.
More menu showing available and make-available locations for a snapshot

Deleting a Snapshot from all Locations

When you no longer want a Snapshot you can delete it from all locations at once.

In the Atlantic.Net Control Panel, click on “Snapshots”, then click the “More” button associated with Snapshot you wish delete.

Snapshots list showing the More menu for deleting a snapshot from all locations

Click on the “Delete in all Locations” text at the bottom of the presented list.

More menu showing the location to remove a snapshot from

You will be presented with a warning message. If you wish to proceed, press the “Delete” button to delete the Snapshot from all locations. Once the Snapshot is deleted you will no longer be charged for the storage of that Snapshot.

Delete Snapshot confirmation dialog with the Delete button

You should now see that the Snapshot is no longer displayed on the Snapshot Page.

Share

Ready to Deploy?

Launch secure, compliant, enterprise-grade infrastructure with confidence.