CLUSTER USER GUIDE

Define your workload.
Validate persistent data separately.

Prepare EraBackup Kubernetes agent policies, PVC/Pod selection and node/control-plane methods for your distribution; plan catalog and isolated restore acceptance together.

7 stepsTR / ENGo to steps ↓

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Check before you begin

Kubernetes Backup exposes PVC, ETCD, KUBELET, ETCKUBERNETES and CLUSTER options. These labels do not establish whole-cluster recovery support across releases. The OpenShift VM/database workflow is separate and does not automatically apply to generic Kubernetes or Rancher.

Screenshots were captured from the actual lab interface on 16 October 2026. The interface is in English; explanations follow your selected language. Resource names, dates and settings are examples; use values for your own environment.

Lab note: the Kubernetes agent returned a read timeout. The existing test job shows Not Yet Backup; no usable point or restore target screen was captured. No policy was saved and no backup/restore was started.

  • Distribution/Kubernetes, agent and repository releases
  • Source cluster/node, namespace, Pod and PVC inventory
  • StorageClass/CSI, access and application consistency
  • Separate plan for manifests, Secrets and external dependencies
01

1. Define the application unit and RPO

Inventory Deployment/StatefulSet, Service, ConfigMap, PVC and external database dependencies. Keep Secret values out of output. Separate ephemeral Pod filesystems from PVC data; a Pod name or manifest list is not a complete application backup.

Expected result

Protected resources and the recovery objective are documented.

02

2. Verify source access and storage scope

Verify the correct kubeconfig context, namespace access and required agent connection. If CSI snapshots are used, separately check driver, snapshot controller and VolumeSnapshotClass compatibility; this does not imply every EraBackup method uses snapshots. A snapshot alone does not establish a repository copy.

Command example
kubectl config current-context
kubectl -n <NAMESPACE> get pods,pvc
kubectl get storageclass
Expected result

Access and prerequisites for the selected data path are understood.

03

3. Prepare the Kubernetes Backup policy

Open Home → Policies → Agent Policy → Create Agent Policy. Select the correct Linux Agent, Policy Name and Storage. Choose Kubernetes Backup as Policy Type. Treat an agent connection error as a form-only inspection; a registered node name is not live cluster access.

EraBackup Kubernetes method/catalog screen
Kubernetes Backup and an empty Kubernetes Backup Methods field. The agent reports a read timeout; the example policy name does not prove PVC selection or source access. The draft was not saved. Enlarge ↗
Expected result

A source/repository draft is prepared.

04

4. Separate PVC and node/control-plane methods

Evaluate the appropriate PVC method in Kubernetes Backup Methods for an initial workload test; it requires the relevant Pod selection in Clients. ETCD, KUBELET and ETCKUBERNETES address node/control-plane scope. CLUSTER may disable individual selections; this behavior is not a full disaster recovery guarantee. Select only the approved protection method.

EraBackup Kubernetes method/catalog screen
Actual Clients information screen after ETCD selection. Its Pod/PVC and node-method explanations are not source inventory or data transfer. Enlarge ↗
Expected result

The method and required source selection are explicit.

05

5. Plan consistency and scheduling

For a PVC containing a database distinguish crash consistency from application consistency; validate the matching quiesce/native database plan. Set retention and scheduling against RPO and repository capacity. ETCD configuration may offer KUBECTL/RKE2; assess suitability for the installed distribution separately.

Expected result

Consistency and retention plans match the selected method.

06

6. Monitor Full results and catalog in an approved test

After validating source selection and access, review the summary and save the approved test policy. Use the appropriate Full action provided by the release. Compare task, repository object, method, namespace/Pod and time. A notification or Last Backup alone is not data acceptance.

Expected result

Output and catalog records match the source.

07

7. Complete isolated PVC and application acceptance

Validate a test file or critical application query on an isolated target. Record the recovery order for PVC data, manifests and external services. Document namespace, storage, versions, backup ID and duration. An application test does not establish etcd/control-plane recovery acceptance.

Expected result

Workload recovery acceptance is documented.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Does CLUSTER mean ready DR on every distribution?

No. A menu label does not replace distribution/release, data-path and actual isolated restore acceptance.

STEP-BY-STEP GUIDES

From installation to recovery.

01

Installation Guide

Install EraBackup Master: operating system readiness, package integrity, terminal installer, TLS, licensing, repository and service validation.

Open guide
02

First Backup

Use EraBackup Create Policy to select source, storage, clients, retention and schedule, then validate the first full backup and recovery point.

Open guide
03

Restore

Select a recovery point in EraBackup, use the RESTORE wizard, review target mappings and Summary, and validate data in an isolated target.

Open guide
04

VMware Backup

Prepare VMware backup step by step, from vCenter connectivity and test VM selection to HotAdd prerequisites and the full/CBT chain.

Open guide
05

VMware Restore

Plan VMware recovery point selection, target vSphere resources and datastore checks, then validate recovery in a new isolated VM.

Open guide
06

OpenShift Backup

Plan OpenShift Virtualization/KubeVirt VM backups with namespace, CSI, RBAC and repository prerequisites; assess database profiles separately.

Open guide
07

OpenShift Restore

Plan the OpenShift recovery point, target namespace, new VM name and StorageClass; distinguish VM/PVC recovery from database restore.

Open guide
08

Database Backup

Prepare agent-based database policies and OpenShift PostgreSQL/MySQL logical streaming separately; check source, method, retention and initial backup acceptance.

Open guide
09

Database Restore

Prepare recovery point, target database, credential reference and final acceptance checks according to the engine and backup method.

Open guide
010

Exchange Backup

Prepare the Exchange agent, registered instance, database selection and backup acceptance plan. Check which release validates DAG, database and mailbox objectives.

Open guide
011

Exchange Restore

Inspect the Exchange catalog item, recovery point and mailbox selection screen; distinguish a UI preview from an actually completed recovery operation.

Open guide
012

Active Directory Backup

Prepare the AD agent, domain controller source, policy selection and catalog acceptance; distinguish object recovery from System State and forest recovery objectives.

Open guide
013

Active Directory Restore

Prepare the AD catalog point, object identity, attribute difference and scoped restore delegation; assess Recycle Bin and System State objectives separately.

Open guide
014

Kubernetes Backup Guide

Prepare EraBackup Kubernetes agent policies, PVC/Pod selection and node/control-plane methods for your distribution; plan catalog and isolated restore acceptance together.

Open guide
015

Kubernetes Restore Guide

Inspect Kubernetes catalog records, PVC targets and control-plane recovery limits separately; verify source/namespace mapping and application acceptance.

Open guide
016

Rancher Backup Preparation Guide

Separate Rancher local management, RKE2/K3s and downstream application scope; distinguish the EraBackup agent method from Rancher’s own backup operator.

Open guide
017

Rancher Restore Preparation Guide

Prepare separate source, target and acceptance checks for Rancher management restore, RKE2/K3s cluster recovery and downstream application recovery.

Open guide
018

OpenStack Backup

Prepare OpenStack backup from VM, Cinder disk, project and consistency profile through the Full/incremental chain.

Open guide
019

OpenStack Restore

Plan OpenStack VM restore with recovery point, disk chain, metadata and target project/network mappings.

Open guide
020

Safir Bulut Backup

Prepare Safir Bulut backup from VM, Cinder disk, project and consistency profile through the Full/incremental chain.

Open guide
021

Safir Bulut Restore

Plan Safir Bulut VM restore with recovery point, disk chain, metadata and target project/network mappings.

Open guide
022

Hyper-V Backup Guide

Prepare Hyper-V backup with source connection, VM/disk selection, retention and initial acceptance checks.

Open guide
023

Hyper-V Restore Guide

Plan recovery point, disk chain and Hyper-V targets within the scope exposed by the source template.

Open guide
024

Proxmox Backup Guide

Prepare Proxmox backup with source connection, VM/disk selection, retention and initial acceptance checks.

Open guide
025

Proxmox Restore Guide

Plan recovery point, disk chain and Proxmox targets within the scope exposed by the source template.

Open guide
026

KVM Backup Preparation Guide

KVM Backup Preparation Guide: assess releases, source access and validated target scope.

Open guide
027

KVM Restore Preparation Guide

KVM Restore Preparation Guide: assess releases, source access and validated target scope.

Open guide
028

Sangfor Backup Preparation Guide

Sangfor Backup Preparation Guide: assess releases, source access and validated target scope.

Open guide
029

Sangfor Restore Preparation Guide

Sangfor Restore Preparation Guide: assess releases, source access and validated target scope.

Open guide
030

Windows File Backup

Prepare file and folder selection, agent access, repository, retention and initial acceptance for Windows servers step by step.

Open guide
031

Windows File Restore

Prepare recovery points, file selection, target paths and data acceptance for Windows servers step by step.

Open guide
032

Linux File Backup

Prepare file and folder selection, agent access, repository, retention and initial acceptance for Linux servers step by step.

Open guide
033

Linux File Restore

Prepare recovery points, file selection, target paths and data acceptance for Linux servers step by step.

Open guide
034

Windows Bare Metal Image Backup

Prepare Windows Bare Metal image backup with agent access, disk scope, boot dependencies and a recovery test.

Open guide
035

Windows Bare Metal Image Restore

Prepare Windows Bare Metal image recovery points, destination disks, recovery environment and boot/data acceptance.

Open guide
036

Linux Bare Metal Image Backup

Prepare Linux Bare Metal image backup with agent access, disk scope, boot dependencies and a recovery test.

Open guide
037

Linux Bare Metal Image Restore

Prepare Linux Bare Metal image recovery points, destination disks, recovery environment and boot/data acceptance.

Open guide
038

Replication Guide

Prepare replication acceptance with site mappings, the first Full seed, incremental generations and a verified checkpoint.

Open guide
039

Disaster Recovery Guide

Prepare service recovery with checkpoint selection, isolated testing, fencing, controlled failover and failback planning.

Open guide
040

NAS Backup

Prepare source/destination roles, Storage Policy scope and data acceptance for NAS.

Open guide
041

NAS Restore

Prepare catalogs, recovery chains, destination effects and file acceptance for NAS.

Open guide
042

S3-Compatible Object Storage Backup

Prepare source/destination roles, Storage Policy scope and data acceptance for S3-Compatible Object Storage.

Open guide
043

S3-Compatible Object Storage Restore

Prepare catalogs, recovery chains, destination effects and file acceptance for S3-Compatible Object Storage.

Open guide
044

SQL Server Backup

Prepare SQL Server agent access, instance/database selection, method and initial backup acceptance.

Open guide
045

SQL Server Restore

Prepare SQL Server recovery points, chains, destination instances and application acceptance step by step.

Open guide
046

Oracle Backup

Prepare Oracle agent access, instance/database selection, method and initial backup acceptance.

Open guide
047

Oracle Restore

Prepare Oracle recovery points, chains, destination instances and application acceptance step by step.

Open guide
048

PostgreSQL Backup

Validate PostgreSQL methods, instance/database scope and initial data acceptance.

Open guide
049

PostgreSQL Restore

Validate PostgreSQL methods, instance/database scope and destination chains.

Open guide
050

MySQL Backup

Validate MySQL methods, instance/database scope and initial data acceptance.

Open guide
051

MySQL Restore

Validate MySQL methods, instance/database scope and destination chains.

Open guide
052

MariaDB Backup

Prepare MariaDB instances, methods, data scope and initial acceptance.

Open guide
053

MariaDB Restore

Prepare MariaDB recovery points, log chains and validated destination effects.

Open guide
054

MongoDB Backup

Prepare MongoDB instances, methods, data scope and initial acceptance.

Open guide
055

MongoDB Restore

Prepare MongoDB recovery points, log chains and validated destination effects.

Open guide
056

DB2 Backup

Prepare DB2 instance, database/tablespace, methods and initial backup acceptance.

Open guide
057

DB2 Restore

Prepare DB2 instance, database/tablespace, recovery chains and destination acceptance.

Open guide
058

Repository Installation Guide

Use repository identity, HTTPS access, capacity and verified data acceptance to prepare installation.

Open guide
059

Storage Management Guide

Use repository identity, HTTPS access, capacity and verified data acceptance to manage storage operations.

Open guide
060

Monitoring Guide

Prepare scope, state verification and operational acceptance for monitoring step by step.

Open guide
061

Reporting Guide

Prepare scope, state verification and operational acceptance for reporting step by step.

Open guide
062

Notification Management Guide

Prepare scope, state verification and operational acceptance for notification management step by step.

Open guide
063

User Management Guide

Validate identity, role/group and tenant/resource boundaries for user management.

Open guide
064

Role Management Guide

Validate identity, role/group and tenant/resource boundaries for role management.

Open guide
065

Permission Management Guide

Validate identity, role/group and tenant/resource boundaries for permission management.

Open guide
066

LDAP / Active Directory Integration Guide

Validate LDAP connectivity, directory users and tenant/role mappings separately.

Open guide
067

Two-Factor Authentication Guide

Assess email OTP, expiry and sign-in-path exceptions through an acceptance plan.

Open guide
068

Troubleshooting Guide

Assess symptoms, job identity, services and data acceptance step by step to diagnose issues.

Open guide
069

Log Analysis Guide

Assess symptoms, job identity, services and data acceptance using timelines and redacted logs.

Open guide
070

License Management Guide

Prepare identity, package/scope and post-action acceptance for license management.

Open guide
071

Version Upgrade Guide

Prepare identity, package/scope and post-action acceptance for version upgrade.

Open guide
072

Backup Scheduling Guide

Plan source, method, capacity and data acceptance together for backup scheduling.

Open guide
073

Retention Policies Guide

Plan source, method, capacity and data acceptance together for retention policies.

Open guide
074

Deduplication Guide

Assess deduplication layers, policy selections and measured data acceptance separately.

Open guide
075

Compression Guide

Assess compression layers, policy selections and measured data acceptance separately.

Open guide
076

Encryption Guide

Assess encryption layers, release support, key ownership and restore acceptance step by step.

Open guide
077

WORM Protection Guide

Validate the WORM option, repository requirements, protection period and catalog evidence separately.

Open guide
078

Backup Validation Guide

Assess job records, recovery chains and isolated restores using measurable acceptance steps.

Open guide
079

Integrity Check Guide

Review hash comparisons, repository chains and backend verification limits step by step.

Open guide
080

Bandwidth Management Guide

Manage transfer scheduling, concurrency and network impact through measurable steps.

Open guide
081

Performance Optimization Guide

Assess source, network, repository and concurrency effects through controlled comparisons.

Open guide
082

Agent Installation Guide

Prepare Windows and Linux components, secure enrollment requirements and initial connectivity acceptance step by step.

Open guide
083

Agent Management Guide

Manage agent inventory, connectivity health, updates and retirement conditions through controlled steps.

Open guide
084

API Usage Guide

Prepare integration requirements, the support process and secure test acceptance without exposing technical secrets.

Open guide
085

Automation Guide

Combine scheduled jobs, error behavior, monitoring and rollback in a secure automation plan.

Open guide
086

Audit Records Guide

Prepare event scope, time correlation and secure evidence sharing step by step.

Open guide
087

Security Management Guide

Assess access, updates, data protection and incident handling without publishing sensitive configuration.

Open guide
088

Multi-Site Guide

Plan site roles, data copies, connectivity impact and recovery acceptance through controlled steps.

Open guide
089

Centralized Management Guide

Assess inventory, access boundaries, job tracking and centralized operational acceptance step by step.

Open guide
090

Archiving Guide

Assess archival needs, target support, data scope and recovery requirements step by step.

Open guide
091

Long-Term Retention Guide

Plan retention needs, chain dependencies, continued access and periodic recovery acceptance.

Open guide
092

Multi-Tenancy Guide

Assess tenant separation, resource ownership and access boundaries through controlled acceptance.

Open guide
093

Tenant Management Guide

Plan tenant onboarding, user/resource mappings and retirement acceptance safely.

Open guide
094

Capacity Planning Guide

Assess data volume, change rate, retention chains and safe capacity headroom together.

Open guide
095

Scaling Guide

Measure storage and processing load separately to prepare supported expansion and acceptance plans.

Open guide
096

High Availability Guide

Assess service dependencies, support scope and controlled failover acceptance separately.

Open guide
097

Load Balancing Guide

Assess access traffic, health checks and job concurrency against the supported architecture.

Open guide

TALK TO THE TECHNICAL TEAM

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Share your workloads and recovery objectives. Let’s define the technical scope together.

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