# System Backup and Restore feature in Gaia

**Product**: Security Gateways, Security Management  
**Version**: R80.10 (EOS), R80.20 (EOS), R80.30 (EOS), R80.40 (EOS), R81 (EOS), R81.10 (EOS), R81.20, R82  
**OS**: Gaia  
**Last Modified**: 2026-04-30

## Solution

**Table of Contents:**

- Background  
- Instructions  
- Limitations

### Background

Gaia's Backup feature allows backing up the configuration of the Gaia OS and of the Security Management Server database, or restoring a previously saved configuration.

The configuration is saved in a _.tgz_ file in the applicable directory:

|     |     |
| --- | --- |
| Hardware Platform | Local Directory |
| Check Point Appliances | _/var/log/CPbackup/backups/_ |
| Open Server |

**Notes:**

- Gaia OS can keep the backup file locally, or upload it to a remote TFTP / FTP / SCP server.
- Gaia OS can collect the backup file manually, or based on a schedule.
- Gaia OS backup also collects VSX configuration (see [sk100395](https://supportcenter.checkpoint.com/supportcenter/portal?eventSubmit_doGoviewsolutiondetails=&solutionid=sk100395)).

### Instructions

Refer to the [Gaia Administration Guide](https://supportcenter.checkpoint.com/supportcenter/portal?eventSubmit_doShowproductpage&productTab=documents&product=184) for your version:

- Chapter "Maintenance" > Snapshot "Management"
- Chapter "Maintenance" > Section "System Backup"

### Limitations

|     |     |
| --- | --- |
| Description | Applies to Version |
| Gaia Backup & Restore does not support the SMT (HyperThreading). Refer to [sk93000](https://supportcenter.checkpoint.com/supportcenter/portal?eventSubmit_doGoviewsolutiondetails=&solutionid=sk93000). | Versions lower than R80.30 3.10 |
| Restore is only allowed using the same Gaia hotfixes on the source and target computers. If the hotfixes are not the same, refer to [sk105883](https://supportcenter.checkpoint.com/supportcenter/portal?eventSubmit_doGoviewsolutiondetails=&solutionid=sk105883). | All |
| PMTR-38587 - Backup file names can only be in English. | All |
| Restore is only allowed using the same Gaia version on the source and target computers. | All |
| Restore is only allowed using the same appliance model on the source and target computers. | All |
| Once restore is done, you must reboot the machine and install policy in order to apply the new configuration. | All |
| To restore a gateway in VSX mode, refer to [sk100395](https://supportcenter.checkpoint.com/supportcenter/portal?eventSubmit_doGoviewsolutiondetails=&solutionid=sk100395). | All |
| The backup file name generated by the backup command should not be renamed and must not contain spaces. | All |
| When backing up to an SCP or FTP server on Windows OS, the backup file is put in the user's home folder.<br>When restoring from an SCP or FTP on Windows OS, the backup file is taken from the user's home folder. | R7X<br>R80.x |
| Log files are **not** backed up by default for Security Management Servers<br>(they are however for MDS backups, see below); <br>to include log files in the backup include the -l flag | All<br>(Security Management Servers only) |
| Log files are backed up by default for MDS backups.<br>To exclude log files from the backup include the -l flag | All<br>(Multi-Domain Servers only) |
| Endpoint Security Server Database is not backed-up by Gaia backup.<br>To backup Endpoint Security Server Database, follow [sk101333](https://supportcenter.checkpoint.com/supportcenter/portal?eventSubmit_doGoviewsolutiondetails=&solutionid=sk101333). | Versions lower than R80.30 |
| _save configuration_ does not save Route Redistribution Settings or Inbound Route Filters | R7X |

## Article Properties

**Access Level**: General  
**Status**: Approved  
**Date Created**: 2013-01-15  
**Last Modified**: 2026-04-30