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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
  • Check Backup Dates Using SSH
  • Summary

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
  • Step 2: Check the Backup Dates

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.

  • On Mac/Linux (Using Terminal)
  • On Windows (Using PuTTY)

On Mac/Linux (Using Terminal)

  1. Open Terminal
  2. Type:
    ssh root@exampledomain.com Important: Replace yourdomain.com with your actual domain or IP address.
  3. Type yes if prompted about host authenticity.
  4. Enter your root password when asked (the screen won't display characters—this is normal).

On Windows (Using PuTTY)

  1. Download and open PuTTY.
  2. In Host Name , enter your domain or server IP.
  3. Set Port to 22 and Connection Type to SSH.
  4. Click Open.
  5. Type root when asked for a username.
  6. 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:
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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.