Setting up automated backups requires the creation of Backup Units in which the backups of a group of servers are contained.
You will need to assign a unique Name and a Password for each Backup Unit. The Backup Unit is generated in the following format: <Contract number>-Name, for example: 31898953-Backup001.
Backup Units can be shared with other Users and Groups like other resources.
2. Click + Create to create a new Backup Unit.
3. In the dialog, enter a unique Name, a Password, and an E-mail address to which the backup systems may send status reports.
4. Confirm your entries by clicking Create Unit.
Result: The Backup Unit is now created and added to the list on the right inside of the Backup Unit Manager.
The automatic setup of backups can only be applied to new servers prior to their first provisioning with an image provided and supported by IONOS. The default backup schedule may be changed any time after installation.
1. Create a new Server in the DCD.
2. Add a boot drive to the Server.
3. Select an IONOS image: Inspector > Images > IONOS Images.
4. In the Backup Unit field, select a backup unit to which you wish to assign the server.
Alternatively, When no Backup Unit is available, you may create one.
5. Inspector > Backup Unit > + Create Backup Unit and assign it to the server.
6. When a Backup Unit is chosen, the Initialize Backup window opens. Click OK to finalize.
Once the Backup Unit is chosen for your Server, you can continue by adding Internet access or further modifying the DCD.
7. When ready, Provision Changes.
Result: The server is successfully provisioned, the backup agent is installed, and the default backup plan is activated.
By default, the Backup Service uses AES-256 server-side encryption for storage devices, preventing unauthorized access outside the server. This document describes how to apply client-side AES-256 encryption to a protection plan using a password.
Only contract administrators, owners, or users with the Create Backup Units privilege can manage Backup Units.
2. Select the required backup unit and click Open Console.
Backup encryption can be enabled only during creation of the new protection plan.
Navigate to MANAGEMENT > Protection plans.
Click on the + Create Plan in the right pan.
Click on the Specify password link in the Encryption section.
Enter a strong encryption password and confirm it to ensure there are no typos. Make sure to store this password securely, as it will be required to restore the backups.
Configure any additional settings for your protection plan.
Assign this protection plan to your devices.
Result: The backups are encrypted with the specified password, ensuring that the data is secure and can only be restored using this password.
Note: Backup agents on your devices encrypt data locally before sending it to the Backup Service. If you lose your encryption password, you cannot restore your data. Store this password securely.
If you no longer need a backup unit and its backups, you can delete them to save costs and space. Deleting a Backup Unit also deletes all backups it contains.
2. Select the required backup unit to be deleted.
3. Click Delete.
4. In the dialog, confirm the delete action by entering your Password and clicking OK.
Result: The selected backup unit and the backups it contains are successfully deleted. Once deleted, the backup unit cannot be restored.
1. In the DCD, go to Menu > Storage & Backup > Backup Unit Manager.
1. In the DCD, go to Menu > Storage & Backup > Backup Unit Manager.
1. In the DCD, go to Menu > Storage & Backup > Backup Unit Manager.
Acronis Cyber Protect Agent (or the Backup Agent) facilitates data backup and recovery on Windows Server. It allows users to protect and restore their data efficiently. The Acronis backup agent is installed on individual machines and servers to enable seamless integration with the Acronis Cyber Protect infrastructure, providing features such as scheduled backups, recovery options, and data protection in various environments.
Ensure that you have the following:
Appropriate permissions for installation.
Your browser allows pop-ups.
A backup unit to download the backup agent installer.
Internet connectivity for the Virtual Machine (VM) and all its ports are open:
Only contract administrators, owners, and users with the Create Backup Units privilege can use the Backup Service Console.
2. Select a backup unit which you want to download the backup agent installer.
3. Click the Open Console option within the Backup Unit Manager.
4. A Backup window will open up with the . Go to DEVICES > Add.
5. In Add Devices window, scroll down to SERVERS and then select Windows.
6. To allow downloads on the , confirm your action by selecting Allow.
Result: The Cyber Protect Agent Installer is now downloaded.
Double-click on the downloaded .exe file, click Install, and follow the installation instructions.
After the installation is complete, you must register the machine in the Backup Service Console. To get the registration information, click Show registration info.
To register a machine in the Backup Service Console devices, go to DEVICES > + Add > REGISTRATION VIA CODE and click REGISTER.
Result: The Cyber Protect Agent is now installed and registered in the Backup Service Console devices.
If you want to install Acronis Cyber Protect Agent without selecting options or providing input at each step, you can use unattended installation. Windows components of Acronis Cyber Protect Cloud can be installed or updated using Windows Installer by Group Policy with a transform file or with parameters provided directly in the installation script.
For more information, refer to the .
This topic guides you through the different agent version update methods.
Under its Managed Services offering, IONOS Cloud regularly updates the entire Backup Service platform and the corresponding Backup Agent. To avoid compatibility issues, we recommend regularly updating the Agent software on your VMs, workstations, or other backed-up devices. You can either use the Backup Service Console to update the agents individually or set an automatic update for all machines.
If your Agent is already set to automatically update during the default maintenance window, you have to take no further action. However, if you have disabled the automatic update option, you should arrange for your Agent to be updated either manually or during maintenance. Otherwise, the software might cause compatibility issues in the future.
Type
Destination IP address
Ports
Management servers
85.215.127.12
85.215.127.13
85.215.127.14
85.215.127.15
TCP ports 443 and 8443 are used to access the Backup Service Console, register the backup agents, download the certificates, obtain user authorization, and download files from the cloud storage. The backup agents use the whole range from 7770-7800 to communicate with the management server.
Storage servers
85.214.7.152
85.214.7.153
TCP port 44445 is used by backup agents for data transfer during backup and recovery.
1. In the DCD, go to Menu > Storage & Backup > Backup Unit Manager.
When an Agent is out of date, the system will provide a small alert under Settings. The circled number shows how many Agents require updating.
2. Select the required backup unit and click Open Console.
3. In the Backup Service Console, go to Settings > Agents. The software displays the list of machines. The machines with outdated agent versions are marked with an orange exclamation mark.
4. Select the machines that you want to update the agents on. The machines must be online.
5. Click Update all outdated Agents for all machines.
6. In the Update agent window, click Update. 7. You will be notified that the process has started. The selected machines will be updated with the current Agent version.
In the Backup Service Console, go to Settings > Agents. The software displays the list of machines. The machines with outdated agent versions are marked with an orange exclamation mark.
Select the machines that you want to update the agents on. The machines must be online.
Select the Automatically update agents option. This aligns the update with IONOS Cloud’s regular maintenance.
Activate Maintenance window and set a timeframe below.
Click Save. The selected machines will be updated regularly with the current Agent version during the chosen timeframe.
1. In the DCD, go to Menu > Storage & Backup > Backup Unit Manager.
Acronis Backup Agent facilitates the backup and recovery of data on Linux systems. It allows users to protect and restore their data efficiently. The Acronis Agent is installed on individual machines and servers to enable seamless integration with the Acronis Backup infrastructure, providing features such as scheduled backups, recovery options, and data protection in various environments.
Ensure that you have the following:
Appropriate permissions for installation.
Your browser allows pop-ups.
A backup unit to download the installer.
Internet connectivity for the Virtual Machine (VM) and all its ports are open:
Only contract administrators, owners, and users with the Create Backup Units privilege can use the Backup Service Console.
For Ubuntu and Debian, update the package list using:
sudo apt-get update
For CentOS, Rocky, and Alma, update the package list using:
2. Select a backup unit which you want to download the backup agent installer.
3. Click the Open Console option within the Backup Unit Manager.
4. A Backup window will open up with the . Go to DEVICES > Add.
5. In Add Devices window, scroll down to SERVERS and then select Linux.
6. To allow downloads on the , confirm your action by selecting Allow.
Result: The Backup Agent Installer is now downloaded.
To make the downloaded binary file executable, use:
chmod u+x name_of_your_agent.bin
Run the installer file by executing the following command:
./name_of_your_agent.bin
The Acronis Agent setup will now be initiated. Select the components that you want to install from the Component Selection list. You can choose Agent for Linux
Result: The Backup Agent is now installed and registered in the Backup Service Console devices.
The installation of Acronis Backup Agent, for which you do not need to select options or provide input for each step, you can use either of the following methods:
For unattended installation, you need to generate a token first:
In the Backup window, go to DEVICES and click +Add.
Scroll down to REGISTRATION TOKEN > GENERATE.
Run the following command:
./name_of_agent.bin -a --rain="https://backup.xyz.com" --token=XXXX-XXXX-XXXX
Result: The installation will be completed using token and without being prompted for additional information.
Run the following command:
./name_of_agent.bin -a --rain="https://backup.xyz.com" --login=contractnumber- backupunitname --password=xxxxx
Result: The installation will be completed using backup unit credentials and without being prompted for additional information.
By default, backup data gets stored on the storage provided by the Backup Service. You can add Object Storage endpoints to the list of storage locations. Consider this option when you want to use further features from the respective Object Storage or ensure that the distance between the location of the backup data source and backup data target is of a certain near or far distance.
Backup on Object Storage for Free: From August 1, 2025, to September 30, 2025, IONOS is charging no handling fee on backup data stored on Object Storage. The Advanced Backup Pack as well as the Object Storage fee of your service provider still apply.
Object Storage setups must be configured per individual backup unit.
2. Select the required backup unit and click Open Console.
By default, the storage of the Backup Service is pre-selected as the target storage for backup data. Follow the instructions to add your Object Storage:
Navigate to Backup Storage in the left navigation of the Backup Service Console. The list of locations will be displayed.
To add a location, click on Add Location in the actions menu on the right panel. A fly-out configuration menu will be displayed.
Select Public Cloud.
Note: The green arrow next to the configuration item indicates that this configuration option will incur additional costs to your backup plan. Backups on Object Storage require the Advanced Backup Pack, which is applied per device. Depending on the price list of the Object Storage service provider, Object Storage may create additional costs.
The configuration of the endpoint does not activate additional costs. Any cost becomes applicable only once the new storage location is configured in a backup plan and applied to an instance.
The service fee will differ when using the Backup Service in combination with the Object Storage, as it does not use the backup storage. Refer to the price list for the applicable prices for the Backup Service fee and the Advanced Backup Pack.
Depending on your contract region, you can select IONOS Object Storage from the drop-down list. Alternatively, you can select other pre-configured Object Storage options or select S3 compatible, which allows manual configuration of S3 Object Storage compatible endpoints.
When you select a third-party Object Storage from the drop-down list, please follow their instructions to add or connect your account to the Acronis backup unit.
When you select S3 compatible as your target, click on Connect to continue the configuration.
Click Connect. The Backup Service will verify your settings. After successful verification, you will be requested to specify the target bucket that will receive the backup data. The drop-down list will show all buckets that are available to the user, represented by the previously given Access Key.
After the configuration is completed, you need to confirm the setup by clicking Add. The screen returns to the overview of backup storage locations, which will contain the newly added Object Storage location.
Result: The backup unit is prepared to use Object Storage as a backup storage target within backup plans.
Navigate to Management in the left navigation of the Backup Service Console.
Select Protection Plans from the list of options. You will see all existing protection plans within this Backup Unit.
To create a new backup plan, select Create Plan from the actions menu on the right panel.
A default configuration of a backup plan will be opened that contains several categories. Ensure the category Backup is enabled by setting the slider to the right. If the category Backup is not expanded then click on the category to unfold the configuration details.
Navigate to the configuration element Where to backup. The default backup storage is displayed. Click on Cloud Storage to open a list of available backup storage targets. Select the Object Storage location you have configured.
The backup storage location configurator closes automatically and shows the configuration page of your backup plan again. Depending on your previous settings, the pack Advanced Backup Pack gets activated, which is required for storing data on an Object Storage.
Continue to configure further details of your backup plan, for example schedule, increments, encryption, or additional advanced features.
Once you have completed your setup, click on Create to apply the configuration plan.
You can add the backup plan to your device.
Result: The backup plan is configured to use Object Storage as a backup target.
sudo yum makecacheMake sure to install wget using either of these:
sudo yum install wget
sudo apt install wget
To install the required packages automatically, select Continue; otherwise, select Skip.
The installation of the required packages will begin.
Once the installation is completed, a prompt to register the machine will be displayed. To get the registration information, select Show registration info and hit Enter.
You will see a Registration link and a Registration code. Use the Registration Code to register a machine in the Backup Service Console.
To register a machine in the Backup Service Console devices, go to DEVICES > + Add > REGISTRATION VIA CODE. Click REGISTER.
Type
Destination IP address
Ports
Management servers
85.215.127.12
85.215.127.13
85.215.127.14
85.215.127.15
TCP ports 443 and 8443 are used to access the Backup Service Console, register the backup agents, download the certificates, obtain user authorization, and download files from the cloud storage. The backup agents use the whole range from 7770-7800 to communicate with the management server.
Storage servers
85.214.7.152
85.214.7.153
TCP port 44445 is used by backup agents for data transfer during backup and recovery.
1. In the DCD, go to Menu > Storage & Backup > Backup Unit Manager.
1. In the DCD, go to Menu > Storage & Backup > Backup Unit Manager.
A graphical user interface, the Backup Service Console, is available for managing your backups. Therein, you can organize your backups and backup plans, activate backup agents, and generate tokens.
The Backup Service Console only allows you access to Backup Units for which you are authorized. The login is possible at one click (single sign-on) directly from the DCD, or manually using the corresponding URL provided you know the login credentials of the required Backup Unit. The Backup Service Console is available in 25 languages.
2. Select the required backup unit and click Open Console.
3. Enter the following URL: and the credentials set when the Backup Unit was created.
The Backup Service Console provides detailed information and instructions on installing backup agents and managing backups.
1. Acronis Web Help
2. IONOS Cloud User Guide
After , you may open the Backup Service Console and check the registration of the VM and the activation of automated backups.
You may run a backup right away:
The backup system sends out a status report e-mail regularly:
You may change the default backup schedule at any time.
It is possible to set up automated backups on an existing server, even on servers that have been provisioned with images other than IONOS. The details of the procedure depend on the operating system used.
1. If no Backup Unit is available, create one.
2. Connect to the required server.
3. Open the Backup Service Console.
4. Download the backup agent for your OS.
5. Install the backup agent and follow the instructions.
6. If this has not been done automatically, register the backup agent in the Backup Service Console using the code generated during installation.
7. Enable backups for the VM.
Automated backups are set up according to the default backup schedule. You may run a backup right away and change the default backup schedule at any time. The backup system sends out a status report e-mail regularly.
1. Create a Backup Unit if none is available.
2. Download the backup agent in the Backup Service Console.
3. Select Add > Add devices.
4. Download the Agent for macOS and complete the installation process by following the instructions in the installation wizard.
5. When prompted, click Show registration info and copy the Registration code from the IONOS Cloud Backup Service window.
6. Click Register the machine to continue.
7. In the Register workload, register the VM with its Registration code.
The VM is registered. Now, you can enable backups for the VM.
Result: The device is now registered and will appear in the All devices section of the Backup Service Console.
Automated backups have been set up for the selected VM.
Note: The Backup Service Console provides detailed information and instructions on installing backup agents and managing backups.
1. Acronis Web Help
2. IONOS User Guide
1. In the DCD, go to Menu > Storage & Backup > Backup Unit Manager.
