How to restore backup your 3CX database to cloud storage like Google Cloud or Microsoft Azure

Restoring your 3CX database from cloud storage like Google Cloud or Microsoft Azure involves several steps, as the backup files are stored remotely. Below is a detailed guide for restoring your 3CX backup from Google Cloud or Microsoft Azure back to your 3CX server.

Restoring 3CX Database from Google Cloud Storage

Step 1: Set Up Google Cloud SDK or rclone

You need a tool to retrieve the backup from Google Cloud Storage. We’ll use rclone, which supports Google Cloud Storage and other cloud providers.

1. Install rclone on your 3CX server (Ubuntu):

   sudo apt install rclone
   

2. Configure rclone with Google Cloud Storage:
   • Run the following command:

     rclone config
     

   • Select n for a new remote.
   • Choose drive for Google Drive or google cloud storage for direct Google Cloud Storage.
   • Follow the prompts to authenticate using your Google Cloud account and Service Account credentials (JSON key file).

   Example:

   rclone config
   n
   google cloud storage
   

3. Test rclone connection to ensure it can access your Google Cloud Storage:

   rclone ls remote:3cx-backups
   

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Step 2: Download Backup from Google Cloud Storage

1. Download the Backup: After configuring rclone, you can download the backup from Google Cloud Storage to your local server directory.

   Example:

   rclone copy remote:3cx-backups /var/lib/3cx/backup/
   

   Replace remote:3cx-backups with the path of your cloud storage bucket and /var/lib/3cx/backup/ with your desired local backup directory on the 3CX server.

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Step 3: Restore the Backup in 3CX

1. Stop 3CX Services: Before restoring a backup, stop the 3CX services:

   sudo service 3cxpbx stop
   

2. Restore the Backup: In the 3CX Management Console, navigate to Backup and Restore and choose the Restore option.
   • Choose the Backup File: Select the downloaded backup file from the directory /var/lib/3cx/backup/.
   • Follow the prompts to restore the backup. You can choose whether to restore the entire system or specific parts (e.g., configuration, extension data).
3. Start 3CX Services: Once the restore is complete, restart the 3CX services:

   sudo service 3cxpbx start
   

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Restoring 3CX Database from Microsoft Azure Blob Storage

Step 1: Set Up Azure CLI or rclone

We will use rclone for Azure as well, similar to Google Cloud.

1. Install rclone on your 3CX server (if not already installed):

   sudo apt install rclone
   

2. Configure rclone with Azure Blob Storage:
   • Run the command:

     rclone config
     

   • Select n for a new remote.
   • Choose azureblob for Azure Blob Storage.
   • Follow the prompts to enter your Azure Storage Account Name and Access Key.

   Example:

   rclone config
   n
   azureblob
   

3. Test rclone connection to verify that it can access your Azure Blob Storage:

   rclone ls azure:3cx-backups
   

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Step 2: Download Backup from Azure Blob Storage

1. Download the Backup: Use rclone to download the backup from Azure Blob Storage to your local 3CX server directory:

   rclone copy azure:3cx-backups /var/lib/3cx/backup/
   

   Replace azure:3cx-backups with your configured Azure Blob Storage container name and /var/lib/3cx/backup/ with your backup directory on the 3CX server.

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Step 3: Restore the Backup in 3CX

1. Stop 3CX Services: Before restoring the backup, stop the 3CX services:

   sudo service 3cxpbx stop
   

2. Restore the Backup: Go to Backup and Restore in the 3CX Management Console and choose the Restore option.
   • Select the backup file from the /var/lib/3cx/backup/ directory (where the backup was downloaded).
   • Follow the prompts to complete the restore process. You can choose to restore the entire system or specific parts.
3. Start 3CX Services: After the restore is finished, restart the 3CX services:

   sudo service 3cxpbx start
   

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Step 4: Verify the Restoration

1. Check 3CX Operation: Once the restoration is complete and the 3CX system has restarted, verify that the system is functioning properly.
   • Check if all extensions, configurations, and settings are restored.
   • Test basic functionalities such as making and receiving calls, and checking user settings.
2. Backup Verification: Verify that the restore process didn’t encounter any issues by checking logs in the 3CX system and ensuring everything is up-to-date and functional.

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Conclusion

Restoring your 3CX database from Google Cloud or Microsoft Azure involves:

1. Setting up a connection to your cloud storage (using rclone).
2. Downloading the backup from cloud storage to your server.
3. Using the 3CX Management Console to restore the backup to the system.

By following these steps, you can easily restore your 3CX system from cloud storage, ensuring a reliable backup solution. If you run into any issues or need further clarification, feel free to ask!