Introduction to Snapshots¶
The "Snapshots" section allows you to create point-in-time snapshots of the main volume of your server. A snapshot is a copy of the current state of the volume that can be used to quickly restore it to a previous state.
Snapshots of additional volumes
From the Cloud VPS service page, you can only create snapshots of the server's main volume. If additional volumes (Block Storage) are attached to the server, their snapshots are managed from each volume's own page in the client area.
Note
Snapshots are kept for a period of 48 hours. They will be automatically deleted after that time. You can maintain one manual snapshot at a time.
How Snapshots Work¶
A snapshot is a point-in-time copy of an entire volume at the block level. Unlike file-based backups that copy individual files, a snapshot captures the complete state of the volume — including the operating system, installed software, configuration files, and user data. This allows the volume to be restored to the exact state it was in at the moment the snapshot was created.
In the context of the Cloud VPS service, the snapshot covers the server's main volume. Additional volumes (Block Storage) attached to the server have their own snapshot functionality, accessible from each volume's page in the client area.
Snapshots are stored within the Delta Cloud infrastructure and are accessible directly from the client area. Creation and restoration are fast operations, as they work at the block level without needing to process individual files.
When to Use Snapshots¶
Snapshots are ideal for short-term protection before planned changes to your server:
- Before system updates — create a snapshot before updating the operating system or kernel, so you can quickly roll back if something goes wrong
- Before configuration changes — preserve the current working state before modifying important configuration files (web server, database, firewall)
- Before software installation — take a snapshot before installing new software or dependencies that could affect stability
- Before data migration — ensure a rollback point when transferring or transforming data
Tip
Snapshots are designed for quick recovery in short-term scenarios. For long-term data protection and scheduled automatic backups, use the Delta Cloud Backup service.
Snapshots vs. Backups — Comparison¶
Snapshots and the Delta Cloud Backup service are complementary tools with different purposes:
| Snapshots | Delta Cloud Backup | |
|---|---|---|
| What it captures | Entire volume at the block level | Individual files, folders, databases |
| Retention | 48 hours, then automatically deleted | Configurable — days, weeks, months, or indefinitely |
| Number of copies | 1 manual snapshot | Multiple restore points |
| Restoration | Entire volume at once | Selective — specific files, folders, or databases |
| Automation | Manual creation | Automatic on a configured schedule |
| Purpose | Short-term protection before changes | Long-term protection and policy compliance |
| Cost | Included with Cloud VPS service | Separate service |
Note
For maximum data protection, it is recommended to use both tools — snapshots for quick protection before planned changes and Delta Cloud Backup for regular automatic archiving.
Next Steps¶
For detailed instructions on creating, viewing, reverting, and deleting snapshots, see Managing Snapshots.