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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