Backups vs Snapshots

In case you're wondering what the difference is between PhonePad 5 backups and snapshots, this table shows you what is included in each type.

Files	Automatic and Manual Backups	Snapshots
Server Application Files	NO	YES
Database	YES	YES
Configuration Files	YES	YES
Backups	YES	NO
Logs	YES	NO
Workstation Updates	NO	YES

Backups

Backups are primarily designed to make a copy of your database and configuration files. Restoring from a backup will revert your database back to the way it was when the backup was made.

Backups tend to be a lot smaller than snapshots.

Snapshots

Snapshots are intended to get you up and running quickly when something goes wrong, specifically with updates. If an update fails for some reason, you may be left with the wrong version of some or all of your database files.

If you restore from a backup, the restored database may not be the same version as the updated application files. This can leave you with application files that are not compatible with the restored database files. What you would then need to do next is to download the correct version of your PhonePad 5 Server application files and install them.

Instead of restoring from a backup in this situation, you should restore from a snapshot. This will restore both your database files and applications files. This is much faster and easier than restoring your database and then reinstalling your PhonePad Server files.

Snapshots tend to be a lot larger than backups.