Back Up and Restore Cisco DNA Center

About Backup and Restore

The backup and restore procedure for DNA Center can be used for the following purposes:

  • To create a single backup file for disaster recovery

  • To create a single backup file to restore to a different appliance (if required for your network configuration)

Backup

When you perform a backup, DNA Center creates a copy of the following files as a single file and exports the file to a specific location on the appliance:

  • DNA Center database

  • DNA Center file system and files

  • X.509 certificates and trustpools

  • Usernames and passwords

  • Any user uploaded files (for example, any Network Plug and Play image files)

The database and files are compressed into a single .backup file. The maximum size of the .backup file is 30 GB. This number consists of a permitted 20 GB maximum size for a file service backup and a 10 GB permitted maximum size for the database backup.


Note

The .backup file should not be modified by the user.

Only a single backup can be performed at a time. Performing multiple backups at once are not permitted. Additionally, only a full backup is supported. Other types of backups (for example, incremental back ups) are not supported.

After saving the backup file, you can download it to another location in your network.

While a backup is being performed, you will be unable to delete any files that have been uploaded to the file service and any changes that you make to files might not be captured by the backup process.

When performing a backup, we recommend the following:

  • Perform a backup everyday to maintain a current version of your database and files.

  • Perform a backup after making any changes to your configuration. For example, when changing or creating a new policy on a device.

  • Only perform a backup during a low impact or maintenance time period.


Note

You cannot schedule or automate a backup. In addition, after starting a backup, you cannot manually cancel it.

Restore

When you restore the backup file, DNA Center overwrites the existing database and files with the files contained in the backup file. You can restore the backup file from its default location on the appliance or drag and drop the backup file from its location in your network.

When a restore is being performed, DNA Center is unavailable.


Note

You cannot schedule or automate the restore process. In addition, after starting a restore process, you cannot manually cancel it.

Back Up the DNA Center

You can back up and restore the DNA Center database and files. When you perform a backup, DNA Center copies and exports the database and files as a single file to a location on the appliance. When you restore the backup file, DNA Center overwrites the existing database and files with the files contained in the backup file. For more information about the backup and restore process, see About Backup and Restore.

Before You Begin

You must have successfully deployed DNA Center and it is operational.

Procedure
    Step 1   From the DNA Center home page, click > System Settings > Backup & Restore.
    Step 2   Click Create New Backup.

    The Backup in Progress is displayed.

    During this process, DNA Center creates a compressed .backup file of the database and files. This backup file is also given a time and date stamp that is reflected in its file name. The following file naming convention is used: yyyy-mm-dd-hh-min-seconds (year-month-day-hour-seconds).

    For example:

    backup_2015_08_14-08-35-10

    Note   

    If necessary, you can rename the backup file instead of using the default time and date stamp naming convention.

    The backup file is saved to a default location on the appliance. Only a single backup file at a time is stored on the appliance. You receive a Backup done! notification when the back up process is finished.

    Note   

    If the back up process fails, there is no impact to the appliance or its database. DNA Center displays an error message stating the cause of the backup failure. The most common reason for a failed backup is insufficient disk space. If your backup process fails, make sure that there is sufficient disk space on the appliance and attempt another backup.

    Step 3   (Optional)  Verify the backup status in the History area.

    The following information is displayed:

    • Date—Local date and time of the backup or restore.

    • Operation—Type of operation, either backup or restore.

    • File Name—Name of the file that was backed up or restored.

    • File Size—Size of the file that was backed up or restored.

    • Update Status—Success or failure status of the operation.

      Note   

      Place your cursor over the failure status to display additional details about the failure.

    Step 4   (Optional)  To download a copy of the backup file to your computer or another location on the network, click Click here to download a copy of the backup.
    What to Do Next

    When necessary and at the appropriate time, you can restore the backup file to DNA Center.

    Restore DNA Center

    You can restore the DNA Center database and files from the last known backup file on the appliance or from an archived backup file that was saved and moved to another location on your network. When you restore the backup file, DNA Center overwrites the existing database and files with the files contained in the backup file. For more information about the backup and restore process, see About Backup and Restore.


    Caution

    The DNA Center restore process only restores the database and files. The restore process does not restore your network state and any changes made since the last backup, including any new network policies that have been created, any new or updated passwords, or any new or updated certificates and trustpool bundles.


    Note

    You can only restore a backup to an appliance that is running the same DNA Center software version as the appliance from which the backup was taken.

    Before You Begin

    You must have successfully deployed DNA Center and it must be operational.

    You must have successfully performed a backup of the DNA Center database and files following the steps in the previous procedure.

    Procedure
      Step 1   From the DNA Center home page, click > System Settings > Backup & Restore.
      Step 2   Click Restore from last Backup.
      Note   

      You can also drag the backup file from its location in your network and drop it onto the Drag and Drop a backup file field in the window.

      Note   

      The DNA Center restore process restores the database and files. The restore process does not restore your network state and any changes made since the last backup, including any new network policies that have been created, any new or updated passwords, or any new or updated certificates and trustpool bundles.

      During a restore, the backup file overwrites the current database. While a restore is in progress, you are not be able to open or access any windows in DNA Center.

      If the restore process is successful, you are logged out of DNA Center. You will need to log back in.

      If the restore process is unsuccessful, you receive an unsuccessful restore notification. Because the database might be in an inconsistent state, we recommend that you do not use the database and contact technical support for additional actions to take.

      Step 3   (Optional)  Check whether the restore process was successful. To review the backup and restore history in the Backup & Restore window, proceed to Step 4. To review the backup and restore history in Grapevine, follow these steps:
      1. Using a Secure Shell (SSH) client, log into the appliance using the IP address that you specified during the initial configuration.
        Note   

        The IP address to enter for the SSH client is the IP address that you configured for the network adapter. This IP address connects the appliance to the external network.

      2. When prompted, enter grapevine as your Linux username and the password for SSH access.
      3. Enter the grape backup display command at the prompt.

        Check that the command output shows the restore process was completed and successful. Look for the property operation marked restore in the command output, with the latest start time followed by a success status.

      4. Using the Secure Shell (SSH) client, log out of the appliance.
      Step 4   Log back into DNA Center and review the backup and restore history on the Backup & Restore window.

      The following information is displayed:

      • Date—Local date and time of the backup or restore.

      • Operation—Type of operation, either backup or restore.

      • File Name—Name of the file that was backed up or restored.

      • File Size—Size of the file that was backed up or restored.

      • Update Status—Success or failure status of the operation.

        Note   

        Place your cursor over the failure status to display additional details about the failure.