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Rancher Backup and Restore Operator
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What Rancher Backup and Restore Operator is
Rancher Backup and Restore Operator backs up and restores the Rancher application running on a Kubernetes cluster. It can create 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. The operator preserves ownerReferences so dependencies between objects remain intact, and it can encrypt specified resources using Kubernetes Encryption at Rest configuration. Listed uses include preparing Rancher for an upgrade and restoring it after a failed upgrade, recovering Rancher to a new cluster after a disaster, and moving it 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 Rancher guide states that its procedure requires Rancher version 2.5.0 or later. This free, open-source operator is for Linux and self-hosted use. It handles Rancher application backups, not downstream cluster snapshots or Etcd backups, and user-created resources on the Rancher cluster are not backed up by default.
Who it suits
It suits teams that need to back up or restore the Rancher application on Kubernetes, including for upgrades, disaster recovery, or migration between distributions of the same version.
What it does well
- Supports one-time and recurring backups
- Preserves object dependencies through ownerReferences
- Can encrypt specified resources
- Supports S3-compatible storage, including MinIO
- Can restore Rancher to a new cluster
What to know first
- Does not replace Etcd backups
- Is not a downstream cluster snapshot tool
- User-created resources are not backed up by default
- The documented procedure requires Rancher 2.5.0 or later
Limits
The operator covers selected Rancher application resources and does not replace downstream cluster snapshots or Etcd backups. User-created resources on the Rancher cluster are not included by default.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Rancher Backup and Restore Operator | No price stated on the opened project pages | Free |
As github.com lists them, read 4 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Use Rancher version 2.5.0 or later for the documented procedure.
- Install the operator through Rancher Cluster Explorer or Helm.
- Configure backup storage, such as S3-compatible storage or a Persistent Volume.
- Create a Backup resource for a one-time or recurring backup.
Verdict
The operator is a free option for Rancher application recovery, with scheduled backups and documented storage choices. Its scope is limited: it is not a cluster snapshot or Etcd backup replacement, and user-created resources are excluded by default.
Questions
Is Rancher Backup and Restore Operator free?
Yes. It is free and open source.
Where can backups be stored?
Documented options include S3-compatible storage, including MinIO, and Persistent Volumes.
Can it restore Rancher to another cluster?
Yes. Restoring the Rancher application to a new cluster after a disaster is a listed use case.
How often can it create backups?
A Backup resource can create either a one-time backup or recurring backups.
How can I install it?
It can be installed through Rancher Cluster Explorer or with Helm.
What does it back up?
It backs up selected resources for the Rancher application. It is not a downstream cluster snapshot tool or an Etcd backup replacement.
Facts from Rancher Backup and Restore Operator's own pages
- 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
- 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
- Backup schedules
- A Backup resource can create either a one-time backup or recurring backups. · 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
- Encryption
- It supports encrypting specified resources in backup files using the Kubernetes Encryption at Rest configuration. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Install options
- The operator can be installed through Rancher Cluster Explorer or with Helm. · 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
- Object dependencies
- The operator preserves resource ownerReferences to maintain dependencies between objects. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- The operator backs up and restores the Rancher application running on a Kubernetes 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
- 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
- Storage integrations
- The chart documents S3-compatible storage, including MinIO, and Persistent Volumes as backup storage options. · 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
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