System Backup and Restore

Use the System Backup and Restore page in Q-SYS Core Manager to create encrypted backup archives of Core configuration settings and restore them when needed. This capability streamlines disaster recovery, supports configuration rollback scenarios, and simplifies hardware replacements if a Core processor must be swapped.

Backups can be restored to the same Core for rollback purposes or to a replacement Core processor of the same model.

Prerequisites and Access Control

Access Control: Backups containing sensitive configuration settings and credentials require Access Control to be enabled. Refer to Access Management > Users for more information.

Supported Configuration Items for Backup and Restore

The following table details what is supported and included within Core Manager system configuration backup archives, as well as items that must be backed up independently using other tools.

Included in System Backup	Not Included (Managed Separately)
Event Log Logged system events and historical Core event records.	Design Files (.qsys) Running schematics and design files are not stored in Core Manager backups. Back up designs using Q-SYS Designer Software or Q-SYS Reflect.
Network Settings Basic IP / Gateway settings, SNMP, Secure Communication parameters, 802.1X, and Multicast address allocations.	Feature Licenses Installed QSC Feature Licenses are not included. Back up and restore licenses from the Licensing page.
Access Management Local user accounts, custom user roles, and sign-in/password security policies.	User-Managed Media & Storage Folders Third-party media files and custom root directories are managed independently via the Files page.
Peripheral Management Bulk Configuration CSV mapping data, device assignments, and encrypted peripheral passwords.	Audio and User Files Audio files, content, preambles, ringtones, PA messages, and user-managed files stored on the Core must be backed up independently via the Files page or local copies.
Dynamic Pairing Configured dynamic pairing assignments and switch-port mappings.
Telephony & Video Softphones, contact books, and camera / video endpoint parameters.

Included in System Backup

Not Included (Managed Separately)

Event Log

Logged system events and historical Core event records.

Design Files (.qsys)

Running schematics and design files are not stored in Core Manager backups. Back up designs using Q-SYS Designer Software or Q-SYS Reflect.

Network Settings

Basic IP / Gateway settings, SNMP, Secure Communication parameters, 802.1X, and Multicast address allocations.

Feature Licenses

Installed QSC Feature Licenses are not included. Back up and restore licenses from the Licensing page.

Access Management

Local user accounts, custom user roles, and sign-in/password security policies.

User-Managed Media & Storage Folders

Third-party media files and custom root directories are managed independently via the Files page.

Peripheral Management

Bulk Configuration CSV mapping data, device assignments, and encrypted peripheral passwords.

Audio and User Files

Audio files, content, preambles, ringtones, PA messages, and user-managed files stored on the Core must be backed up independently via the Files page or local copies.

Dynamic Pairing

Configured dynamic pairing assignments and switch-port mappings.

Telephony & Video

Softphones, contact books, and camera / video endpoint parameters.

How to Create a Backup

Follow these steps to generate and download an encrypted Core configuration backup.

In Q-SYS Core Manager, navigate to Core Management > System Backup and Restore.
Select the Backup tab.
Choose the backup scope.
- All Configuration: Backs up all supported Core settings and configurations.
- Partial Configuration: Select the specific configuration checkboxes (such as Network, Access Management, or Peripheral Management) to include in the backup archive.
In the Passphrase field, enter a passphrase to encrypt the backup file (AES-256).
In the Confirm Passphrase field, re-enter the passphrase.
Click Create Backup.
Once the archive is generated, save the backup file (.qsysbackup) to an accessible location on your PC.

CAUTION: The backup archive is encrypted with the user-defined passphrase. QSC cannot recover or reset a lost passphrase. Store the passphrase securely, as it is required to restore the backup file.

How to Restore Backup

Follow these steps to restore a configuration backup to a Core processor.

In Q-SYS Core Manager, navigate to Core Management > System Backup and Restore.
Select the Restore tab.
Click Upload Backup File and select the .qsysbackup file from your PC.
Enter the Passphrase used when the backup was created.
Review the list of configuration items contained in the backup archive.
Click Restore Configuration.

CAUTION: Restoring a backup overwrites all matching current configurations on the Core and initiates an automatic Core reboot. The running design will be stopped and existing sessions will be disconnected. Plan restore operations during scheduled maintenance windows.