How to Back Up Your ARK: Survival Evolved Server: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’re an ARK: Survival Evolved server admin – congratulations! You’ve taken on the thrilling, and sometimes terrifying, responsibility of managing a digital ecosystem teeming with dinosaurs, players, and countless hours of hard-earned progress. But what happens when disaster strikes? A corrupted world save, a rogue admin command, or even just a desire to revert to a previous state can all spell doom for your server unless you have a solid backup strategy in place. This guide will walk you through the process of backing up your ARK server, ensuring that your digital world is safe and sound.

Backing Up Your ARK Server: A Step-by-Step Approach

The most common and reliable way to back up your ARK server involves accessing the server files directly. Here’s a breakdown of the process:

1. Stop Your Server: This is crucial! Before making any changes to your server files, always stop the server. This prevents data corruption and ensures a clean backup. Most hosting providers offer a “stop” button within their control panel.

2. Access Your Server Files: You’ll need access to your server’s file system. This is typically done via FTP (File Transfer Protocol) using a client like FileZilla. You’ll need your server’s FTP address, username, and password, which are usually provided by your hosting provider.

3. Locate the Saved World Data: Navigate to the directory where your ARK world data is stored. This is usually located in:

   /ShooterGame/Saved/SavedArks/
   

   Within this folder, you’ll find files like:

   • TheIsland.ark (or the name of your map, e.g., Ragnarok.ark, Extinction.ark, etc.) – This is the main world save file.
   • TheIsland.ark.bak (or similar) – These are automatic backups that the server creates on its own.
   • LocalPlayer.arkprofile – Information about your local player profile.
   • Other files related to player data and server configuration.

4. Download the Necessary Files: Download the .ark file (your main world save), any .ark.bak files you wish to keep, the LocalPlayer.arkprofile (optional), and any other configuration files you want to preserve. Drag and drop these files from your FTP client to a folder on your local computer.

5. Store Your Backups Securely: This is the most critical step. Store your backups in a safe and reliable location. Consider using a cloud storage service like Google Drive, Dropbox, or OneDrive for off-site backups. External hard drives are also a good option for local backups, just make sure to keep them disconnected from your server to avoid being affected by any server related problems.

6. Repeat Regularly: Backups are only useful if they are up-to-date. Establish a regular backup schedule. How often you back up depends on how active your server is and how much progress your players are making. Daily backups are a good starting point, but you may need to back up more frequently if your server is very active.

Understanding Different Backup Methods

While the manual FTP method is the most common, there are other ways to back up your ARK server:

• Hosting Provider Tools: Many hosting providers offer built-in backup tools within their control panel. These tools often automate the backup process and provide an easy way to restore your server to a previous state. Check your hosting provider’s documentation to see if they offer this feature.
• ARK Server Manager (ASM): If you’re running your server on your own hardware, ARK Server Manager is a powerful tool that can simplify server management, including backups. ASM allows you to schedule automatic backups and easily restore them.
• Command Line: You can use the saveworld command in the ARK server console to manually trigger a world save. However, this doesn’t create a full backup; it only saves the current state of the world.
• Windows Server Backup: If your server is hosted in windows, you can open the Server Manager, select Tools, then select Windows Server Backup. You can then proceed with backing up using the instructions prompted.

Why Backups are Crucial

• Data Loss Prevention: The most obvious reason is to protect against data loss. Server crashes, corrupted files, and accidental deletions can all wipe out your server’s progress. Backups provide a safety net, allowing you to restore your server to a previous state.
• Rollbacks: Sometimes you might want to revert your server to a previous state. Maybe a recent update introduced a bug, or perhaps you want to undo a change that was made in error. Backups make rollbacks possible.
• Testing and Experimentation: If you want to experiment with new mods or server settings, it’s a good idea to back up your server first. This allows you to easily revert to your previous configuration if something goes wrong.
• Moving Servers: Backups are essential if you want to move your server to a new hosting provider or to your own hardware. You can simply restore your backup to the new server.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about ARK Server Backups

1. How often should I back up my ARK server?

The frequency of your backups depends on your server’s activity level. For active servers with a lot of player activity, daily backups are recommended, and even more frequent backups (e.g., every few hours) may be necessary. For less active servers, weekly backups may suffice. However, always back up before making any significant changes to your server configuration or installing new mods.

2. Where are ARK server backup files stored?

The main world save file (.ark file) and associated backup files (.ark.bak) are typically located in the following directory: /ShooterGame/Saved/SavedArks/. This directory also contains other files related to player data and server configuration.

3. How do I restore an ARK server backup?

To restore a backup, stop your server, access your server files via FTP, navigate to the /ShooterGame/Saved/SavedArks/ directory, and replace the current .ark file with the backup .ark file you want to restore. You may also want to restore any associated .ark.bak files. After replacing the files, restart your server.

4. What is the “SaveWorld” command in ARK?

The SaveWorld command is an admin command that forces the server to save the current state of the world. To use it, open the admin command console (usually by pressing L1, R1, Square, and Triangle simultaneously on a PlayStation controller, or equivalent on other platforms) and type admincheat SaveWorld. This command doesn’t create a full backup, but it’s a good way to ensure that the server saves frequently.

5. Can I automate ARK server backups?

Yes, you can automate ARK server backups using several methods:

• Hosting Provider Tools: Many hosting providers offer built-in backup scheduling tools.
• ARK Server Manager (ASM): ASM allows you to schedule automatic backups if you’re running your server on your own hardware.
• Custom Scripts: You can create custom scripts using tools like Cron (Linux) or Task Scheduler (Windows) to automate the backup process.

6. What files should I include in my ARK server backup?

At a minimum, you should include the main world save file (.ark file) and any associated backup files (.ark.bak). You may also want to include the LocalPlayer.arkprofile file (if you want to preserve local player data) and any configuration files you have modified.

7. What is the difference between a full backup and an incremental backup?

A full backup copies all data in its entirety, while an incremental backup only copies data that has changed since the last backup. Full backups are easier to restore, but they take longer to create and require more storage space. Incremental backups are faster to create and require less storage space, but they are more complex to restore. For ARK servers, full backups are generally recommended due to their simplicity.

8. How do I transfer my ARK server to a new host?

To transfer your ARK server to a new host, back up your server files (including the .ark file and any associated files), upload the backup files to the new host via FTP, and restore the backup on the new host. You may also need to update your server configuration files to reflect the new host’s settings.

9. What are .ark.bak files?

.ark.bak files are automatic backups that the ARK server creates periodically. These files are a valuable safety net in case your main .ark file becomes corrupted. You can restore from a .ark.bak file by renaming it to .ark (after stopping your server).

10. Can I back up my ARK server while it’s running?

While it’s technically possible to back up your ARK server while it’s running, it’s strongly discouraged. Backing up a running server can lead to data corruption, as the server is constantly writing to the files. Always stop your server before backing it up.

11. What if my backup file is too large to download via FTP?

If your backup file is too large to download via FTP, consider using a file compression tool like 7-Zip to compress the file before downloading. You can also use a download manager that supports resuming interrupted downloads. Some hosting providers may offer alternative methods for downloading large files, such as a web-based file manager.

12. How do I verify that my ARK server backup is valid?

The best way to verify that your ARK server backup is valid is to restore it to a test server and make sure that everything loads correctly. This will ensure that your backup is not corrupted and that you can successfully restore it in case of a disaster.

13. What are some common causes of ARK server data loss?

Common causes of ARK server data loss include:

• Server crashes
• Corrupted files
• Accidental deletions
• Rogue admin commands
• Mod conflicts
• Hardware failures
• Security breaches

14. How can I improve my ARK server’s performance?

Improving your ARK server’s performance can help prevent crashes and data loss. Some tips for improving performance include:

• Optimizing your server configuration
• Installing performance-enhancing mods
• Limiting the number of structures and dinosaurs
• Keeping your server software up-to-date
• Upgrading your server hardware

15. Where can I learn more about game-based learning and the importance of games in education?

For more information on game-based learning and the role of games in education, explore the resources available at the GamesLearningSociety.org website. The Games Learning Society champions the use of games in education to foster creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
(https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/)

Conclusion

Backing up your ARK: Survival Evolved server is an essential part of server administration. By following the steps outlined in this guide and implementing a regular backup schedule, you can protect your digital world from data loss and ensure that your players can continue to enjoy their ARK adventure without interruption. Don’t wait until disaster strikes – start backing up your server today!