Rancher Backup and Restore Operator
- Android app
- Not listed
- Free plan
- Yes
- Runs on
- Linux, self-hosted
Summary
Rancher Backup and Restore Operator backs up and restores the Rancher application on a Kubernetes cluster. It can create a one-time backup or recurring backups, querying the Kubernetes API for selected resources and packaging them into a .tar.gz file for configured storage. The operator preserves resource ownerReferences to maintain dependencies between objects and can encrypt specified resources using Kubernetes Encryption at Rest configuration. Listed uses include backing up Rancher before an upgrade and restoring it after a failed upgrade, recovering to a new cluster after a disaster, and migrating between Kubernetes distributions of the same version. Storage options include S3-compatible services such as MinIO and Persistent Volumes. Installation is available through Rancher Cluster Explorer or Helm. The operator is free and open source for Linux and self-hosted use; the stated price is 0.00 USD per free. The Rancher guide requires version 2.5.0 or later for this procedure. It is not a downstream cluster snapshot tool or an Etcd backup replacement, and it is not configured by default to back up user-created resources on the Rancher cluster.
Who it is for
It suits teams responsible for backing up Rancher itself, including those preparing upgrades, recovering after a disaster, or migrating between Kubernetes distributions of the same version. It is not intended to replace downstream cluster snapshots or Etcd backups.
What is good
- Supports one-time and recurring backups.
- Can encrypt specified resources in backup files.
- Supports S3-compatible storage and Persistent Volumes.
- Can restore Rancher to a new cluster.
What to know first
- Requires Rancher version 2.5.0 or later for the guide procedure.
- Does not back up user-created resources by default.
- Not a downstream cluster snapshot or Etcd backup replacement.
Verdict
Rancher Backup and Restore Operator focuses on the Rancher application, with scheduled backups and several recovery and migration uses. Keep its scope limits in mind when planning broader Kubernetes or Etcd protection.
Rancher Backup and Restore Operator plans and pricing
All plansCompared on Kubernetes backup software
- Persistent volume backup
- Nogithub.com
- Cross-cluster restore
- Yesgithub.com
- Backup frequency
- scheduledgithub.com
- Retention options
- customgithub.com
Facts
- Purpose
- The operator backs up and restores the Rancher application running on a Kubernetes cluster.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
- Upgrade recovery
- A listed use case is backing up Rancher before an upgrade and restoring it after a failed upgrade.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
- Disaster recovery
- A listed use case is restoring the Rancher application to a new cluster after a disaster.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
- Migration
- A listed use case is migrating the Rancher application between Kubernetes distributions of the same version.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
- Backup method
- The operator queries the Kubernetes API for selected resources, packages them into a tarball, and sends it to configured backup storage.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
- Object dependencies
- The operator preserves resource ownerReferences to maintain dependencies between objects.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- It supports encrypting specified resources in backup files using the Kubernetes Encryption at Rest configuration.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
- Backup schedules
- A Backup resource can create either a one-time backup or recurring backups.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
- Storage integrations
- The chart documents S3-compatible storage, including MinIO, and Persistent Volumes as backup storage options.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
- Install options
- The operator can be installed through Rancher Cluster Explorer or with Helm.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
- Scope limitation
- The operator is not a downstream cluster snapshot tool, an Etcd backup replacement, or configured by default to back up user-created resources on the Rancher cluster.github.com · 4 Oct 2026
- Rancher version
- The opened Rancher guide states that Rancher must be version 2.5.0 or later for this procedure.ranchermanager.docs.rancher.com · 4 Oct 2026
- Backup format
- The Rancher guide says backup files are created as .tar.gz files and can be pushed to S3 or MinIO, or stored in a Persistent Volume.ranchermanager.docs.rancher.com · 4 Oct 2026
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Sources
- github.com/rancher/backup-restore-operator· checked 4 Oct 2026
- github.com/rancher/backup-restore-operator/blob/ma· checked 4 Oct 2026
- ranchermanager.docs.rancher.com/how-to-guides/new-user-guides/backup-re· checked 4 Oct 2026