Backup of Whole Server?

Webmin has several backup modules, including ones that'll backup everything on the server. But, "bare-metal" style backups don't work on a server in a colo somewhere (since you can't replace the entire OS out from under itself safely). For me, I just backup /etc, selected parts of /var (databases, specifically, but maybe other stuff), and /home. Everything else is "system" stuff that doesn't need to be backed up, as it'll be pretty much restored by a fresh OS install.

Webmin has a module specifically for backing up configuration files (/etc) called Backup Configuration Files, but I usually just use the Filesystem Backup module for this process, since it can do everything..it just needs little more configuration.

Restoring looks like:

Fresh OS is installed.

Install whatever packages I'm using (Virtualmin, for example, which installs a bunch of stuff and configures it)

Restore homes, etc, and databases.

Check the results.

This kind of thing is testable on a home virtual machine, as well (and I recommend you test your backups periodically).

hi, I am with joe on this.. if your upgrade/restore would fails it can be only that you use ubuntu or you updating your server in huge jumps like ubutnu 12 to ubuntu 16 or debian 6 to debian 8.. there are apache changes as you are upgrading to 2.4.. from 2.2 and some configs was changed. I am with your hosting company - if server is un-managed - you are on your own - do your research.. if its managed - ask them for help.