What is the Difference Between a System Backup and a User Backup at GoDaddy?

There are two types of backup: System Backup and User Backup. In addition to the system backups, we recommend maintaining user backups for your records. Here is a list of differences between the two backup file types:

How Backup Files are Created?

System Backup Files: Created automatically by our system throughout the day. There are no guarantees for a specific time. The System back up is only available after there was an initial User back up.

User Backup Files: Created by the customer using the back-up feature in the Hosting Control Panel's database administration tools. Alternatively, you can upload MySQL database files to _db_backups folder on the root level of the hosting account.

Where Backup Files are Stored?

System Backup Files: Stored on servers inaccessible to the user, but can still be restored through the control panel.

User Backup Files: Stored in the_db_backups folder on the root level of the your hosting account.

How Backup Files are Managed?

System Backup Files: Managed by our system, which periodically creates and replaces these files.

User Backup Files: Managed by the user. Using an FTP client, you can download, upload, rename, and delete these files.

How Backup Files are Named?

System Back-Up Files: Use the database name.

User Back-Up Files: Use the database name. While you cannot define a filename during the back-up process, you can rename a file once the process is complete.

NOTE: You must use the appropriate filename extension when renaming any back-up file: MySQL files use the .sql extension. SQL Server files use the .bak extension.