firefrost-operations-manual/docs/procedures/server-retirement-backup.md

# Server Retirement - World Backup Procedure

**Created:** March 19, 2026  
**Effective:** Immediately  
**Applies To:** All game servers being retired from the Firefrost Gaming network

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## Overview

This procedure documents how to backup world data from a game server before deletion using the Pterodactyl Panel interface. No SSH access required.

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## Prerequisites

- Access to Pterodactyl Panel (https://panel.firefrostgaming.com)
- Access to Nextcloud (https://cloud.firefrostgaming.com)
- Sufficient local disk space for temporary archive downloads
- Confirmation that server is being retired (see `docs/planning/server-deletion-policy.md`)

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## Procedure

### Step 1: Access Server Files

1. Log into Pterodactyl Panel
2. Navigate to the server being retired
3. Click **Files** tab in server management interface

### Step 2: Locate World Folder

Common world folder names by server type:
- **Most Minecraft modpacks:** `/world/`
- **Some servers:** `/worlds/`, `/saves/`, or custom name
- **Verify** by checking for region files and level.dat

### Step 3: Create Archive

1. **Right-click** the world folder
2. Select **Archive**
3. Wait for archive creation to complete
4. Archive will appear in the same directory as `world.tar.gz`

**Note:** Archive creation time varies by world size (30 seconds to 5+ minutes for large worlds)

### Step 4: Download Archive

1. **Right-click** the newly created `world.tar.gz` file
2. Select **Download**
3. Save to local machine (Downloads folder or preferred location)
4. Wait for download to complete

### Step 5: Rename Archive

Rename the downloaded file using this format:

**Format:** `servername-world-YYYY-MM-DD.tar.gz`

**Examples:**
- `homestead-world-2026-03-19.tar.gz`
- `mayview-world-2026-03-19.tar.gz`
- `rad2-holly-build-2026-03-19.tar.gz`
- `atm10-world-2026-03-19.tar.gz`

### Step 6: Upload to Nextcloud

1. Log into Nextcloud at https://cloud.firefrostgaming.com
2. Navigate to **Server World Backups** folder
3. Upload the renamed archive file
4. Wait for upload to complete
5. Verify file appears in Nextcloud with correct name and size

### Step 7: Verify Backup Integrity

1. Check file size matches between local download and Nextcloud upload
2. Optionally: Download from Nextcloud and verify checksum matches
3. Document backup in archive manifest (if maintaining one)

### Step 8: Clean Up

1. Delete local copy of archive (free disk space)
2. Return to Pterodactyl Panel
3. Delete the archive file from server Files tab
4. **DO NOT delete the server yet** until confirmed backup is good

### Step 9: Delete Server from Panel

**Only after backup is confirmed in Nextcloud:**

1. Pterodactyl Panel → Server list
2. Locate retiring server
3. Click server settings
4. Scroll to danger zone
5. Delete server

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## Special Cases

### Large Worlds (10GB+)

- Archive creation may take 10+ minutes
- Download may take significant time depending on connection
- Consider splitting into chunks if browser download fails
- Alternative: Use SFTP client for more reliable large file transfer

### Player-Built Structures (e.g., Holly's RAD2 Build)

- Create backup BEFORE players finish (safety copy)
- Create final backup AFTER completion
- Rename clearly: `servername-playername-description-YYYY-MM-DD.tar.gz`
- Example: `rad2-holly-final-build-2026-03-19.tar.gz`

### Multiple Worlds Per Server

Some servers have multiple worlds (Overworld, Nether, End):
- Check for multiple world folders: `world/`, `world_nether/`, `world_the_end/`
- Archive each separately OR archive parent directory containing all
- Name accordingly: `servername-all-worlds-2026-03-19.tar.gz`

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## Nextcloud Folder Structure

Recommended organization in Nextcloud:

```
/Server World Backups/
  /2026-03-Retirements/
    homestead-world-2026-03-19.tar.gz
    mayview-world-2026-03-19.tar.gz
    reclamation-world-2026-03-19.tar.gz
    atm10-world-2026-03-19.tar.gz
    emc-subterra-tech-world-2026-03-19.tar.gz
    minecolonies-create-conquer-world-2026-03-19.tar.gz
    ember-project-world-2026-03-19.tar.gz
    vanilla-world-2026-03-19.tar.gz
    all-of-create-creative-world-2026-03-19.tar.gz
    rad2-holly-build-2026-03-19.tar.gz
```

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## Troubleshooting

**Archive creation fails:**
- Check available disk space on node
- Try archiving smaller subdirectories individually
- Contact hosting provider if persistent issues

**Download fails/times out:**
- Use browser download manager or extension
- Try SFTP client (FileZilla, WinSCP) for more reliable transfer
- Split large archives if possible

**Upload to Nextcloud fails:**
- Check Nextcloud storage quota
- Verify network connection stability
- Try splitting into smaller chunks
- Use Nextcloud desktop sync client for large files

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## Post-Retirement

After all backups are complete and servers deleted:
- Document retirement in infrastructure manifest
- Update server count in documentation
- Reclaim disk space on dedicated nodes
- Update any automation/monitoring that referenced deleted servers

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## Related Documentation

- Server Deletion Policy: `docs/planning/server-deletion-policy.md`
- Server Sunset Evaluation: `docs/tasks/server-sunset-evaluation/README.md`
- Infrastructure Manifest: `docs/core/infrastructure-manifest.md`

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