Backup/Restore DNAC Config from smaller to larger appliance

[aldumdei@cisco.com]

Are we able to back up a config from a smaller DNAC appliance to a larger appliance the smaller appliance can be repurposed (but not having to start from scratch on the larger one)?

[Tomas de Leon]

Yes. You can backup from a smaller appliance to a larger appliance. For Example, a DN2-L to a DN2-XL. After performing a successful backup, you can restore to the new target Cisco DNAC appliance.

Just make not of the following:

The Cisco DNA Center restore process only restores the database and files. The restore process does not restore your network state and any changes made since the last backup, including any new or updated network policies, passwords, certificates, or trustpool bundles.

You cannot do a backup from one version of Cisco DNA Center and restore it to another version of Cisco DNA Center. You can only restore a backup to an appliance that is running the same Cisco DNA Center software version, applications, and application versions as the appliance and applications from which the backup was taken. To view the current apps and versions, choose > System Settings > Software Updates.

Cisco Digital Network Architecture Center Administrator Guide, Release 1.3
Chapter: Backup and Restore
https://www.cisco.com/c/en/us/td/docs/cloud-systems-management/network-automation-and-management/dna-center/1-3/admin_guide/b_cisco_dna_center_admin_guide_1_3/b_dnac_admin_guide_1_3_chapter_0111.html

[sivathot]

You can use the backup and restore functions for the following purposes:

To create backup files for disaster recovery for the appliance

To create backup files to restore to a different appliance (if required for your network configuration)

Backup
You can back up Automation data only or both Automation and Assurance data.

The Automation data consists of Cisco DNA Center databases, credentials, file systems, and files. The Automation backup is a full backup.

The Assurance data consists of network assurance and analytics data. The first backup of Assurance data is a full backup. After that, backups are incremental.

Note: Do not modify the backup files. If you do, you might not be able to restore the backup files to Cisco DNA Center.

Cisco DNA Center creates the backup files and posts them to a remote server. Each backup is uniquely stored using the UUID as the directory name.

Only a single backup can be performed at a time. Performing multiple backups at once is not supported.

While a backup is being performed, you cannot delete any files that have been uploaded to the file service, and any changes that you make to files might not be captured by the backup process.

When performing a backup, we recommend the following:

Perform a daily backup to maintain a current version of your database and files.

Perform a backup after making any changes to your configuration; for example, when changing or creating a new policy on a device.

Only perform a backup during a low impact or maintenance time period.

You can schedule weekly backups on a specific day of the week and time.

Restore
You restore the backup files from the remote server using Cisco DNA Center.
When you restore the backup files, Cisco DNA Center removes and replaces the existing database and files with the backup database and files. While a restore is being performed, Cisco DNA Center is unavailable.

You cannot take a backup from one version of Cisco DNA Center and restore it to another version of Cisco DNA Center. You can only restore a backup to an appliance that is running the same Cisco DNA Center software version, applications, and application versions as the appliance and applications from which the backup was taken. To view the current applications and versions on Cisco DNA Center, choose > System Settings > App Management.

You can restore a backup to a Cisco DNA Center appliance with a different IP address. This situation could happen if the IP address is changed on Cisco DNA Center and you need to restore from an older system.