--- title: "Using Backup Manager on Bare Metal Servers" description: "The Backup Manager client allows you to create automated backups on bare metal dedicated servers. This guide covers installation, configuration, and restoration commands for managing your server..." url: https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/product-guides/backup-manager/backup-manager-bare-metal-servers/ date: 2025-12-31 modified: 2026-06-08 author: "Carrie Smaha" categories: ["Backup Manager"] type: post lang: en --- # Using Backup Manager on Bare Metal Servers The Backup Manager client allows you to create automated backups on bare metal dedicated servers. This guide covers installation, configuration, and restoration commands for managing your server backups. **Note:** Troubleshooting Bare Metal Servers is outside the scope of InMotion Hosting support. Please consult your operating system documentation for any issues. ## Operating System Requirements Before installing the Backup Manager client, verify that your server meets the following requirements: - Python 3.6 or higher (if compiled from source, OpenSSL support is required) - A cron daemon that can read `/etc/cron.d/` - OpenSSL - curl - bash - libc/glibc (musl is not supported) - Init system: `SysV`, `systemd`, or `upstart` - If MySQL is installed, `/root/.my.cnf` should be configured for the default settings to work ## Supported Operating Systems The Backup Manager client has been tested on the following distributions: | Distribution | Family | Python Version | Supported | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Ubuntu 22.04 LTS Jammy | Debian | 3.10 | Yes | | Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Focal | Debian | 3.8 | Yes | | Debian 12 Bookworm | Debian | 3.11 | Yes | | Debian 11 Bullseye | Debian | 3.9 | Yes | | Debian 10 Buster | Debian | 3.7 | Yes | | AlmaLinux 9 | RedHat | 3.9 | Yes | | AlmaLinux 8 | RedHat | 3.6 | Yes | | CentOS 7 | RedHat | 3.6 | Yes | | OpenSUSE Leap 15.5 | SUSE | 3.6 | Yes | | CentOS 6 | RedHat | 2.6 | No (GCC and Python are too old) | | Alpine 3.18.6 | — | 3.11 | No (Alpine uses musl) | ## Installing Backup Manager Follow these steps to install the Backup Manager client on your bare metal server. ### Step 1: Install wget Run the appropriate command as the root user for your distribution. **Debian and Ubuntu:** apt-get -y install wget ``` apt-get -y install wget ``` **RedHat-family OS: including Fedora, CentOS, and AlmaLinux** yum -y install wget ``` yum -y install wget ``` ### Step 2: Run the Installation Script Execute the following commands as root: sudo su - cd /root wget -O bakmgr-setup.sh https://proxy-cache.inmotionhosting.com/network-images/backups/bakmgr/bakmgr-setup.txt chmod +x bakmgr-setup.sh ./bakmgr-setup.sh --host $(hostname -s) rm -f bakmgr-setup.sh ``` sudo su - cd /root wget -O bakmgr-setup.sh https://proxy-cache.inmotionhosting.com/network-images/backups/bakmgr/bakmgr-setup.txt chmod +x bakmgr-setup.sh ./bakmgr-setup.sh --host $(hostname -s) rm -f bakmgr-setup.sh ``` **Important:** The hostname must match your AMP machine name. If your server’s hostname has been modified, specify the server ID directly (e.g., `ded1234`) after `--host` instead of using `$(hostname -s)`. ## Log File Locations The Backup Manager client writes logs to the following locations: - **Main log:** `/var/log/bakmgr.log` - **Dashboard log (SysV systems):** `/var/log/bakmgr-dash.log` - **Dashboard log (systemd/upstart):** syslog ## Available Scripts The installation provides several management scripts: | Script | Purpose | | --- | --- | | `/usr/bin/bakmgr` | CLI tool for validating configurations and restoring data (symlinked to `/opt/bakmgr/bin/bakmgr`). Also accessible via `/usr/bin/backup`. Use `-h` on each subcommand for help. | | `/opt/bakmgr/bin/cron` | Executed by cron to create scheduled backups | | `/opt/bakmgr/bin/bakmgr-setup` | Runs during initial setup and after updates | | `/opt/bakmgr/bin/bakmgr-update` | Provides automatic updates via cron | | `/opt/bakmgr/bin/bakmgr-uninstall` | Removes Backup Manager (preserves `/etc/bakmgr/.auth.json` and `/usr/bin/restic`) | ## Configuration Files Configuration files are stored in the following locations: - **`/etc/bakmgr/bakmgr.yaml`:** Controls what gets included in backups. While this file can be edited manually, using the Dashboard UI is recommended. - **`/etc/bakmgr/.auth.json`:** Stores API credentials after the client registers with the backup authority server. This file should not require manual modification. ## Using the Dashboard UI The Backup Manager includes a web-based dashboard for managing your backups. ### Accessing the Dashboard The dashboard runs on TCP port 4001. Access it using your server’s hostname: https://ded1234.inmotionhosting.com:4001 ``` https://ded1234.inmotionhosting.com:4001 ``` Replace `ded1234` with your server’s hostname. **Note:** You may need to open port 4001 in your server’s firewall to access the dashboard. ### SSL Certificate Configuration The dashboard uses a self-signed SSL certificate by default. To install a custom SSL certificate, place your files in these locations: - **SSL Certificate:** `/etc/bakmgr/dash.crt` - **Private Key:** `/etc/bakmgr/dash.key` - **CA Bundle (optional):** `/etc/bakmgr/dash.cabundle` After replacing the certificate files, restart the `bakmgr` service: systemctl restart bakmgr ``` systemctl restart bakmgr ``` ## Restoring Data via CLI The Backup Manager provides command-line tools for restoring files and databases. ### Restore Files Use the `restore-files` command to restore files or directories: bakmgr restore-files /path/to/file ``` bakmgr restore-files /path/to/file ``` Replace `/path/to/file` with the path to the file or directory you want to restore. ### Restore MySQL Databases Use the `restore-mysql` command to export a MySQL database backup: bakmgr restore-mysql /path/to/export/database.sql ``` bakmgr restore-mysql /path/to/export/database.sql ``` Replace `/path/to/export/database.sql` with the desired export location and filename. ### Restore PostgreSQL Databases Use the `restore-pgsql` command for PostgreSQL databases: bakmgr restore-pgsql /path/to/export/database.sql ``` bakmgr restore-pgsql /path/to/export/database.sql ``` ### Getting Help Each restore command includes detailed help documentation: bakmgr restore-files -h bakmgr restore-mysql -h bakmgr restore-pgsql -h ``` bakmgr restore-files -h bakmgr restore-mysql -h bakmgr restore-pgsql -h ``` **Note:** If multiple backups exist for the requested type, you will be prompted to select which backup to restore from. **Tip:** Use the `--latest` option to automatically select the most recent backup without being prompted: bakmgr restore-files --latest /path/to/file ``` bakmgr restore-files --latest /path/to/file ``` ## Related Articles - [Backup Manager WHM Guide for VPS/Dedicated Servers](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/website/backup-and-restore/backup-manager-whm-vps-dedicated/) - [Managing Backups Using Backup Manager](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/product-guides/backup-manager/) - [Dedicated Backup Storage Options](https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/product-guides/dedicated-hosting/backups/)