Web‑based Management 2:
System - Backup & restore

Valid from firmware release 2025.0

The Backup & restore page can be used to create a backup of specified data on a controller and restore some (or all of it) on the same device, or on a different device of the same type.

Security Note: In case a suspected tampering of data on the device, make sure to reset the device to factory defaults before restoring. Do not just restore the data from a backup: The tampering may have been done in a way that would not be remedied by restoring the backed-up data but users wouldn't notice that.

About this feature

Restrictions

• Restoring data is restricted to devices of the same device type with the same firmware version, at least the major and minor version (e.g. 2025.0.x); the subversion may differ.
• In the Remaining files category of data, files that don't belong to the PLCnext firmware process cannot be restored. 
• Depending on the data categories selected, the PLCnext Runtime needs to be stopped safely by means of the PrepareForUpdate state machine. Therefore, backing up or restoring should better take place during productive operation of the device.
• Preparing the WBM 2 page for secure transfer of backup packages over the network is subject to further development. Therefore, as of now it is not recommended to download backup packages from the device manually. If necessary, see Firmware directories.

Selectable data categories 

Configuration data 

For backing up, this category contains configurations made in several WBM 2 pages:

• Configuration section:
  • Network
  • Web Services
  • PLCnext Store
  • Proficloud
  • Date & Time
  • SPLC
• Security section
  • Firewall
  • Syslog
  • Project integrity
  • Certificate management
  • User management
  • LDAP configuration
  • Security Profile
• System section
  • System services
  • License management

In addition, the DataLogger configuration is included in the backup.

When restoring, you can also select to restore only data from these subordinate-level categories:

• Configuration User database
• Configuration Firewall configuration
• Configuration LDAP
• Configuration Network
• Configuration Netload Limiter
• Configuration PLCnext Store
• Configuration Proficloud
• Configuration NTP
• Configuration System services
• Configuration Security Profile
• Configuration Syslog
• Configuration Web services
• Configuration License management
• Configuration DataLogger
• Configuration Safety PLC
• Configuration Project integrity
• Configuration Port authentication
• Configuration OPC UA server

Certificates

This encompasses all certificate files stored in the Trust Stores and Identity Stores. Of course, on a different device certificates depending on the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) cannot be restored.

Engineer project

This contains the PLCnext Engineer project data including the safety-related project data, and the default project, which also covers the OPC UA® server and OPC UA® client settings.

Runtime data

For backing up, this category contains all runtime data. Note: With this selection no configuration data for Proficloud or DataLogger is included. For that, select the Configuration data. 

When restoring, you can also select to restore only data from these subordinate-level categories:

• Runtime data Proficloud
• Runtime data DataLogger

PLCnext Apps binaries

This selection contains the binaries in the directory for all installed PLCnext Apps; there's no means to select a single app.

PLCnext Apps runtime data

This selection contains the runtime data in the directory for all installed PLCnext Apps; there's no means to select a single app.

Remaining files

This selection contains all added or modified files from the Overlay File System.

How to use this feature

Backing up data

• For creating a backup package, click the + button below the table of available backups.
  ↪ A 5-step modal dialog is displayed; you can always return to a former step by clicking the back button.
• In step 1, select the data categories you want to have in this backup package, then click the next button.
  Note: Backing up some types of data requires stopping the PLCnext Runtime.
• In step 2, make your choice:
  • If no data has been selected that requires as stop then you may skip stopping the PLCnext Runtime.
  • If data categories are selected that require a stop, click the prepare and stop button.
    ↪ The device state changes to Prepared and stopped.
    Note: In case you cancel the procedure from this step you need to click the start and resume button in the Status section.
• In step 3, enter a meaningful name for the backup file to label the content of the package, then click the next button.
  ↪ The string it is appended to the serial number of the device and the current timestamp; this way, your can use the same label for the same sets at different timepoints.
• In step 4, click the create backup button.
  ↪ If necessary, the device state changes to Prepared and stopped.
  ↪ The backup procedure is performed.
• In step 5, click the START AND RESUME button.
  ↪ If necessary, the device state is resumed to Running.
  ↪ The modal dialog closes and you should see the new backup file in the table.

Restoring data

• For restoring data from a backup package, click the restore button in the respective row in the table of available backups.
  ↪ A 5-step modal dialog is displayed; you can always return to a former step by clicking the back button.
• In step 1, select the data categories you want to restore from this backup package, then click the next button.
  Note: Restoring some types of data requires stopping the PLCnext Runtime.
• In step 2, make your choice:
  • If no data has been selected that requires as stop then you may skip stopping the PLCnext Runtime.
  • If data categories are selected that require a stop, click the prepare and stop button.
    ↪ The device state changes to Prepared and stopped.
• In step 3, click the REStorE button.
• In step 4, make your choice:
  • If necessary (e.g. if you want a restored configuration to be used), click the restart the device button.
    ↪ The device is restarted; re-enter the WBM 2, navigate to the Backup & restore page, then click the start and resume button in the Status section.
  • Otherwise, click the next button.
• In step 5, click the START AND RESUME button.
  ↪ If necessary, the device state is resumed to Running.
  ↪ The modal dialog closes.