VPS & Dedicated Hosting: How to Check Backup Dates Using SSH
Do you need to check when your last server backup was? Whether using a VPS or a Dedicated server, finding out directly through SSH is easy. This guide walks you through how to check backup dates using SSH in just a few minutes—no advanced Linux skills are required.
What You’ll Need
Before you begin, make sure you have the following:
- Root password to your server
- An SSH client:
- Mac/Linux: Terminal
- Windows: PuTTY
- Your server’s IP address or domain name that points to it
Check Backup Dates Using SSH
Step 1: Log in to your Server via SSH
If you haven’t set a root password yet, see how to log in to WHM to get started.
- Open Terminal
- Type:
ssh [email protected]
Important: Replace
yourdomain.com
with your actual domain or IP address. - Type yes if prompted about host authenticity.
- Enter your root password when asked (the screen won't display characters—this is normal).
- Download and open PuTTY.
- In Host Name, enter your domain or server IP.
- Set Port to 22 and Connection Type to SSH.
- Click Open.
- Type
root
when asked for a username. - Enter your root password (the screen will stay blank—this is normal).
Step 2: Check the Backup Dates
Once logged in, use the following command:
ls -Al /backup/cpbackup
This will return a list of backup files with their date and time in the left-hand column. It might look like this:
This tells you the last time the backup was generated.
Summary
You’ve now learned to check backup dates using SSH on your VPS or Dedicated server. Regularly checking your backups ensures you're prepared for anything—from accidental deletions to server issues. Keep your data secure by verifying your server backups often.
If you need further assistance, feel free to contact us via Chat or Phone:
- Chat Support - While on our website, you should see a CHAT bubble in the bottom right-hand corner of the page. Click anywhere on the bubble to begin a chat session.
- Phone Support -
- US: 888-401-4678
- International: +1 801-765-9400
You may also refer to our Knowledge Base articles to help answer common questions and guide you through various setup, configuration, and troubleshooting steps.