How to Backup / Restore TrueConf Server Settings

When using advanced server solutions such as the TrueConf Server messenger, administrators have to create and use backups on a regular basis. These backups will be needed if you’re migrating the software from one physical or virtual server to another, installing a major OS update or an update to TrueConf Server itself. They can also be critical in case of an emergency (hardware failure, OS malfunction, etc.).

With TrueConf Server data backup, you can save and restore:

• Server settings
• User and group settings
• Conferences and templates
• Certificate files

• Additional data (if it is needed):

  • video conference recordings
  • files shared in chats
  • server user avatars
  • server logs (saved before the backup)

Step 1: Save required data

Server, conference, and user settings are stored in different locations depending on the operating system on which TrueConf Server is installed:

• On Windows: in the registry
• On Linux-based operating systems: in the database.

However, there is a data migration method, common to all operating systems: the use of tc_regkey which is a special tool provided by the server. This tool should be used as the default method.

Chat history is stored in the database regardless of the operating system.

You can also save files: server logs, user avatars, and the TLS certificate (required for the correct migration of HTTPS settings).

Detailed instructions on how to save each type of data, depending on the operating system, are described in the articles about the migration of the server to a different machine:

• How to save a backup on Windows (step 2)
• How to save a backup on Linux-based operating systems (step 2).

Step 2. Data Recovery

To recover your data, you will need to:

• Stop all TrueConf Server services.
• Import server settings via tc_regkey.
• Move the certificate files (for HTTPS settings).
• Restore the folder with avatars.
• If you exported chats and reports, import this data into the database.
• Move log files (if any).

Data recovery on Windows and Linux is not the same. This process is described in detail in the articles on server migration. Refer to these sources for step-by-step instructions on restoring data with the help of a backup:

• How to restore TrueConf Server data on Windows (step 4)
• How to restore TrueConf Server data on Linux (step 4).

Step 3: Make Sure TrueConf Server is Running

Select any tab in the web configurator and check if the settings have been restored. If the server does not run after restoring backup settings, check the network settings: the current IP addresses in the OS might not match with the previous IP addresses of TrueConf Server, and you will need to configure the IP addresses again.

If you are restoring the settings on the Windows version other than the version you ran when you were making backup of those settings, you will need to re-register the server to run it.

More on server settings

If you are installing a new version over the old one, all settings are retained, you don’t have to apply backup settings after the installation of a new version of TrueConf Server.

If you are installing the older version over the new one, the stable operation of TrueConf Server is not guaranteed.