Restore Backup to New Server (2021)

[VISA MC]

Previously when we needed to recover from a backup, we were able to select the backup during installation. We host all of our installs in AWS. I have stopped the old server, but I cannot find a way to restore the backup. Since the ISO method is no longer supported by 3CX, how can we help our customers as resellers? It looks like they have to login to their customer account to create the new instance using PBXexpress, but I don't see that ability under my reseller login. I did try to set up a new instance under one of my NFR keys then restore the backup, but it says the FQDN and key must be the same. I guess I'm a little confused on how this works now that we can't use the ISO method and install from scratch. Can anyone help me here?

 

[CentrexJ]

The 3CX ISO method is not unsupported. It is fully available and a recommended method. Its in the downloads section when you logon to the 3CX web site. Click under Linux on v18 and it will download the ISO.

 

[VISA MC]

The 3CX ISO method is not unsupported. It is fully available and a recommended method. Its in the downloads section when you logon to the 3CX web site. Click under Linux on v18 and it will download the ISO.

I’ll have to do more digging. I have always been unable to use the ISO in AWS Lightsail so we used the command line method, which is no longer supported. We have used another cloud provider who does allow ISO files, but the problem still exists for us.

When creating a try license, it uses API to create the instance in lightsail, but during that process it doesn’t give the option to upload a backup file like the old setup process does. I don’t want to have to restore using the ISO method to a different cloud provider.

 

[CentrexJ]

Yes Lightsail never supported ISO images, you have to go with full AWS for that or another provider. Vultr works great in this regard. Similar pricing/spec tiers to Lightsail but better options such as ISO images and custom firewall settings. The custom iso alone is worth it but the firewall rules that you can apply to multiple systems make deployments amazing.

 

[VISA MC]

Yes Lightsail never supported ISO images, you have to go with full AWS for that or another provider. Vultr works great in this regard. Similar pricing/spec tiers to Lightsail but better options such as ISO images and custom firewall settings. The custom iso alone is worth it but the firewall rules that you can apply to multiple systems make deployments amazing.

Yeah we do a lot in vultr already. I’m just surprised that 3CX gives you a way to create an instance in lightsail all via API, but then if something happens and you need a backup, there is no way without moving to vultr.

We have 3 clients that get the infamous “server error” when assessing the console. A reboot fixes it, but it’s inconvenient to have to reboot the PBX just to login and make a change.

 

[cobaltit]

So if you did a command line install, chances are you never enabled swap which would cause the error you describe. Newer deployments via PBXExpress and current deployments via PBX Wizard take care of that. Deployments using the PBX Wizard now give you the option to restore a backup so you should be able to use that with Lightsail.

 

[NickD_3CX]

@VISA MC
Alternatively, you can set up a new instance on AWS using the Marketplace:
https://www.3cx.com/docs/pbx-amazon-aws-marketplace/

This way, you will get prompted to restore/upload your backup, the same way it would if you had installed locally with the ISO.

 

[VISA MC]

@VISA MC
Alternatively, you can set up a new instance on AWS using the Marketplace:
https://www.3cx.com/docs/pbx-amazon-aws-marketplace/

This way, you will get prompted to restore/upload your backup, the same way it would if you had installed locally with the ISO.

I see that as an option as well. This is what’s happening:

I have an instance in AWS Light sail, installed by 3CX using API info. The instance has gone to a “pending” status and I have no access to it. This has only happened one other time in my time working with AWS Lightsail. We have a good backup, but it seems there is no way to restore this instance back to Lightsail. The only options that I can see are using a provider that’s not supported (vultr) by doing an ISO install, or following the steps above to do it in an AWS EC2 instance to restore the backup.

What am I missing here? I would think if AWS Lightsail was an option initially, there would be a method to restore back into AWS Lightsail.

 

[NikosT_3CX]

@VISA MC lets clear things up.
From 3cx side, you can setup your AWS Lightsail machine from your portal and yes on self-host you can restore your backup : https://www.3cx.com/docs/hosted-pbx-amazon-lightsail/
Now, if you have a different license key in your backup and FQDN from the one you want to deploy, then this will not work on any case, even after installation.
So, you must have a backup with no key and FQDN, set up a blank PBX to Lightsail with the key and FQDN you want, and then FTP to your PBX, upload your backup to your machine and restore it on top of your existing PXB.
Of course Extension Length ensure to be the same..

Now, for the " Pending " status you mentioned this, where do you see this ?
Because if you see it on the network tab of your Lightsail console then this means that you have deleted your machine and the Public IP of this machine is still reserved there.