Separate backups for system and recordings

[inss.3.c.x]

Hello,

Is it possible to keep/do separate backups for the System Config and for the Recordings? If i have 500GB in recordings the process of backup alone will take several hours, and then there is the time for data transfer and restoring that backup onto a new system.

Could i then make the system config backup on a different schedule than the recording backups? and most important, could I restore them separately on a new system without affecting the configuration?

In case of an emergency I'd rather have a functional system first and then allow the 500GB of recordings to slowly recover. What impact is there to the system if i restore a separate call recordings only backup?

Any ideas, comments, suggestions?

 

[VoIPTools]

I would recommend performing a typical 3CX backup EXCLUDING recordings, and then use a separate process to backup the recordings outside of 3CX.

 

[inss.3.c.x]

According to the documentation, I can create a separate disk/partition, mount it and then change the location of the recordings. That would be step one for me.

Then, as you suggest, I'd do the backup of the system config on one schedule, and then the backup of the recordings on a different schedule.

Now when you say outside 3CX, do you mean that I should not use the Backup tool of the PBX to backup the recordings? If that is the case then I'd imagine it'd be like doing an image of the 2nd disk/partition or a file backup of that partition, but using 3rd party tools: rsync, veeam backup, storage volume snapshot, etc. Am I understanding it correctly?

If i do that and then i need to create a new PBX in case of failure, I'd restore the system backup for 3CX.. Then I would attach or restore the storage volume with the call recordings manually and redirect the call recording folder to that newly attached volume. But how would the 3CX system know it has to reindex the content of that volume in its database to display the call recordings and make them available via the web interface? Does it make sense?

And another question.. regarding the Archive. When I do archiving (FTP, SMB, SFTP, etc).. Do the calls remain in the call recording folder/location or are they permanently moved to the archive destination? and then again, if i need to restore the 3CX system backup in a new machine, how would 3CX now it has to reindex and display the calls in that archive location?

Because the system backup would not include the call recordings. Cheers!

 

[VasilisV_3CX]

Hi @inss.3.c.x,

Now when you say outside 3CX, do you mean that I should not use the Backup tool of the PBX to backup the recordings? If that is the case then I'd imagine it'd be like doing an image of the 2nd disk/partition or a file backup of that partition, but using 3rd party tools: rsync, veeam backup, storage volume snapshot, etc. Am I understanding it correctly?

Yes, you're correct here. I would advise not using a software that will lock the drive / partition and not allow 3CX to write (like veeam is known to do sometimes), you could rather try a RAID configuration if it's physical or using snapshots if it's virtual. You could also look into using a scheduled script that will copy the files such as robocopy.

If i do that and then i need to create a new PBX in case of failure, I'd restore the system backup for 3CX.. Then I would attach or restore the storage volume with the call recordings manually and redirect the call recording folder to that newly attached volume. But how would the 3CX system know it has to reindex the content of that volume in its database to display the call recordings and make them available via the web interface? Does it make sense?

The backup (excluding the recordings) will include the index, so no problem here.