This article explains how Web60's cross-server backup sync works and what it means for your website's data protection.
What Is Cross-Server Backup Sync?
Cross-server backup sync means your website backups are automatically copied to multiple servers in different locations. When Web60 creates a backup of your website, it doesn't just store one copy on one server. Instead, it creates identical copies on separate servers.
Think of it like having photocopies of important documents stored in different filing cabinets in different buildings. If something happens to one cabinet, you still have your documents safe in the other locations.
How Cross-Server Sync Works
Here's what happens when Web60 creates a backup:
- Primary Backup Creation: The system creates a complete backup of your website files and database
- Automatic Copying: Within minutes, this backup is copied to a second server in a different location
- Verification: Both copies are checked to ensure they're identical and complete
- Status Update: The backup shows as "synced" in your Web60 portal once both copies are confirmed
Where Your Backups Are Stored
Your backups are stored on servers in two separate Irish data centres. This means:
- One copy stays on the same server network as your website
- The second copy is stored on servers in a different physical location
- Both locations are within Ireland to comply with data protection requirements
You can see the sync status of your backups in the Backups section of your Web60 portal. Successfully synced backups will show a green "Synced" status.
What Happens If One Server Fails
If the server containing your primary backup becomes unavailable, Web60 automatically uses the synced copy from the second location. This happens without any action needed from you.
During a restore process, the system will:
- Try to access the primary backup copy first
- If unavailable, automatically switch to the synced copy
- Complete your website restore using whichever copy is accessible
Checking Your Backup Sync Status
To see if your backups are properly synced:
- Log into your Web60 portal
- Go to the Backups section
- Look for the "Status" column next to each backup
- "Synced" means the backup exists on both servers
- "Syncing" means the copy process is still in progress
If a backup shows "Sync Failed" for more than 24 hours, contact support.
How This Affects Backup Speed
The sync process adds a few extra minutes to backup creation time, but doesn't affect your website's performance. Understanding Automatic Backups explains more about backup timing.
Cross-server sync runs in the background and doesn't use your website's resources or slow down your site for visitors.
If you're still stuck or see persistent sync failures in your backup status, contact Web60 support through your portal for assistance.
FAQ
Q: How long does cross-server sync take?
A: Most backups sync to the second server within 5-15 minutes of creation. Larger websites may take up to 30 minutes to fully sync.
Q: Can I turn off cross-server backup sync?
A: No, cross-server sync is automatic and cannot be disabled. It's a core part of Web60's data protection system.
Q: Do I get charged extra for synced backups?
A: No, cross-server sync is included with your Web60 service at no additional cost.
Q: What if both backup copies get corrupted?
A: Web60 keeps multiple backup copies from different time periods. If recent backups have issues, older synced backups remain available for restore.
Q: Can I access backups from both server locations?
A: You don't need to choose which server to restore from. The Web60 system automatically selects the best available backup copy when you start a restore.
Q: Does sync work for manual backups too?
A: Yes, both automatic and manual backups are synced across servers. All backup types receive the same cross-server protection.
Q: What happens if sync fails repeatedly?
A: If sync fails multiple times, your primary backup is still safe, but you lose the redundancy protection. Contact support to resolve sync issues quickly.
Last updated: 1 March 2026