How to manage backup files via FTP (4298838)

The KACE appliance automatically performs a nightly backup by default. It is recommended to utilize the automated backup and off-board backup utility for disaster recovery.

It may be useful at times to manually connect via FTP to upload, download or delete appliance backups for purposes such as upgrades, professional services, support, freeing up space, or server migration projects. Below are the steps to connect to the FTP service to perform these actions. 

NOTE: Before it will be possible to complete any of the steps below, it will be necessary to verify that "Enable backup via FTP" and "Make FTP writable" are checked in Settings > Security Settings. The password listed in this article is the default password. If this default password does not work, a password can be set for the FTP service account, and then click Save and Restart Services. This action will restart services on the KACE SMA and may interrupt all appliance users and in-progress tasks.

FTP can also be enabled from the console, by logging into netdiag/netdiag (for Username/password), and the command "startftpd -w". This will enable it with the default username/password (kbftp/getbxf). Enabling 

NOTE: If backups need to be removed before adding more, locate the "base" and "incr" (using dates in titles) that you wish to remove, as both will be necessary. KACE recommends copying the backups to a network location prior to deleting them as a precautionary measure. (USE WITH CAUTION AS THIS CANNOT BE REVERSED):

After backup uploading or deletion is done, "Make FTP writable" can be unchecked to avoid deletion by a logged in user.

As of version 12.0, there's an option to upload backups right after the initial setup, so that they can be restored from, and optionally to Override Network Configuration. More info available on this Video on Timestamp 15:10.

Starting with version 13.1, backups are encrypted using the Serial Number of the current SMA. More info available here.


Managing files from the KACE Appliance via FTP:

1. Open a CMD prompt and change to a directory this user has permissions to access (eg: c:\Users\USERNAME\Desktop - where USERNAME is the actual name of the user OR another example could be c:\Users\USERNAME\Downloads)
2. Once in an accessible directory, type: ftp SMA (where SMA is the hostname or IP of this SMA)
3. Type "kbftp" for the username and hit enter
4. Type "getbxf" for the password and hit enter
5. Type "type binary" and hit enter
6. Type "ls" and hit enter (Click Allow on the pop-up, if necessary) - This should list the available backups locate the most recent "base" and most recent "incr" (using dates in titles), as both will be necessary.
7. Type "get k1_base.tgz" (where k1_base.tgz is actually the full name of the base backup in the format yyyymmdd_k1_base_version.tgz)
8. Type "get k1_incr.tgz" (where k1_incr.tgz is actually the full name of the incr backup in the format yyyymmdd_k1_incr_version_yyyymmdd.tgz)
9. Note that both files above were successfully transferred to the directory used in step 1 of these instructions
10. Type "quit"

To restore (upload) or remove files to the KACE Appliance via FTP (CMD):

1. Use the Steps above to authenticate.
2. Type "put k1_base.tgz" (where k1_base.tgz is actually the full name of the base backup in the format yyyymmdd_k1_base_version.tgz) - This should be the file downloaded and necessary for the restore.
3. Type "put k1_incr.tgz" (where k1_incr.tgz is actually the full name of the incr backup in the format yyyymmdd_k1_incr_version_yyyymmdd.tgz) - This should be the file downloaded and necessary for the restore.
4. Type "quit"
5. Note that in the Appliance WebUI (Settings | Backup Settings), the files uploaded via FTP should be available to restore from.

To remove backup files from the KACE Appliance via FTP using a command prompt (CMD):

1. Use the Steps above to authenticate
2. Type "del k1_base.tgz" (where k1_base.tgz is actually the full name of the base back up in the format yyyymmdd_k1_base_version.tgz)
3. Type "del k1_incr.tgz" (where k1_incr.tgz is actually the full name of the incr back up in the format yyyymmdd_k1_incr_version_yyyymmdd.tgz)
4. Type "quit"
5. Note that in the Appliance WebUI (Settings | Backup Settings), the files you just removed via FTP should be absent from the restore options list.