Backups and updates
The Isle Evrima is in active development: updates are frequent and can change the server's configuration or data. Good backup habits keep you from losing your configuration or your players' dinosaurs.
What does a The Isle server contain?
The TheIsle/Saved/ folder holds most of what is specific to your server:
Config/LinuxServer/: yourGame.iniandEngine.inifiles (admins, whitelist, gameplay settings)- Game and player data: players' dinosaurs, growth and progress are stored server-side, in subfolders of
TheIsle/Saved/whose names depend on the version Logs/: the server logs, useful when something goes wrong
Making a backup
From the panel
The Backups tab of the Game Panel (game.yorkhost.fr) lets you create a server backup and restore it. Backups are included with every The Isle plan. Create one before any risky operation:
- an Evrima update
- a major change to
Game.iniorEngine.ini - a player data reset
For a consistent backup, stop the server before running it.
Automating backups
The Schedules tab lets you set up recurring tasks, for example a regular backup at an off-peak time, alongside an automatic restart.
Keeping an off-server copy
Regularly download at least Game.ini and Engine.ini, and ideally the whole TheIsle/Saved/ folder (except logs), through the file manager or over SFTP (credentials in Settings → SFTP Details).
Restoring a backup
- Stop the server
- Restore the backup from the Backups tab, or replace the relevant files with your copy
- Start the server and check in the console that it starts normally
Resetting player data (wipe)
A wipe resets every player: they will have to create their dinosaurs again. It is common when launching a new season, or after some major updates.
- Stop the server and make a backup
- In the Files tab, find the subfolder of
TheIsle/Saved/that holds player data - Delete that subfolder only
- Start the server
TheIsle/Saved/Config/ contains your configuration, admins and whitelist. Never delete the whole Saved/ folder. If you are not sure which folder holds player data in your version, contact support before deleting anything.
Evrima updates
A few rules to get through updates smoothly:
- The server and the players must be on the same version. After a game update on Steam, players can no longer join a server still on the old version (and vice versa).
- Back up first. An update can change game files and, sometimes, the names of
Game.inisettings. - Review your configuration afterwards. Compare your
Game.iniwith your copy: a renamed or removed setting may no longer apply. Move your values to the new keys if needed. - A wipe may be needed. Some major updates make old data incompatible or significantly change the game balance.
Depending on your server's configuration, the dedicated server update may be applied on restart. If the Startup tab offers an update-related setting, review it with the server stopped. If your server stays on the old version after a game update, contact support.
See also
- Configuring Game.ini and Engine.ini
- Troubleshooting: client version different from the server