- Home
- Kubernetes Backup Software
- Rancher Backup and Restore Operator
Rancher Backup and Restore Operator
What it is
Rancher Backup and Restore Operator backs up and restores the Rancher application running on a Kubernetes cluster. It can make a one-time backup or recurring backups by querying the Kubernetes API for selected resources, packaging them into a .tar.gz file, and sending the file to configured storage. It preserves resource ownerReferences to maintain dependencies between objects and can encrypt specified resources using Kubernetes Encryption at Rest configuration. Listed uses include preparing for an upgrade and restoring after a failed upgrade, recovering Rancher to a new cluster after a disaster, and moving the application between Kubernetes distributions of the same version. Documented storage options include S3-compatible storage such as MinIO and Persistent Volumes. Installation is available through Rancher Cluster Explorer or Helm. The Rancher guide states that its procedure requires Rancher version 2.5.0 or later. The operator is free and open source for Linux and self-hosted use. Its scope is limited to the Rancher application: 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.
For and against
For
- Supports one-time and recurring backups.
- Can restore Rancher to a new cluster.
- Supports S3-compatible storage and Persistent Volumes.
- Preserves resource ownerReferences.
- Can encrypt specified resources using Kubernetes Encryption at Rest.
Against
- Not a downstream cluster snapshot tool.
- Does not replace Etcd backup.
- Does not back up user-created resources by default.
- The documented procedure requires Rancher 2.5.0 or later.
The verdict
The operator covers Rancher application backup and restoration, with scheduled backups and multiple documented storage choices. Its stated scope does not include downstream cluster snapshots or default backup of user-created resources.
Who it suits
This operator suits administrators who need to back up or restore the Rancher application, including for upgrades, disaster recovery, or migration between Kubernetes distributions of the same version. It is not intended as a downstream cluster snapshot or Etcd backup replacement.
Plans and prices
Rancher Backup and Restore Operator
No price stated on the opened project pages
Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- 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 · read 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 · read 4 Oct 2026
- Backup schedules
- A Backup resource can create either a one-time backup or recurring backups.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Disaster recovery
- A listed use case is restoring the Rancher application to a new cluster after a disaster.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Encryption
- It supports encrypting specified resources in backup files using the Kubernetes Encryption at Rest configuration.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Install options
- The operator can be installed through Rancher Cluster Explorer or with Helm.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Migration
- A listed use case is migrating the Rancher application between Kubernetes distributions of the same version.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Object dependencies
- The operator preserves resource ownerReferences to maintain dependencies between objects.github.com · read 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- The operator backs up and restores the Rancher application running on a Kubernetes cluster.github.com · read 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 · read 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 · read 4 Oct 2026
- Storage integrations
- The chart documents S3-compatible storage, including MinIO, and Persistent Volumes as backup storage options.github.com · read 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 · read 4 Oct 2026
