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Exporting and restoring backups exposes private keys and validator configuration. Risk: key leakage allows account takeover; config mistakes can halt validation. Scope: this node’s keys and validator state. Rollback: create a fresh backup first; you can restore it if needed. Environment: test on TON Testnet before using on TON Mainnet.

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Operational notes

  • Backups capture MyTonCtrl data, validator config, and keyring files. Always store backup archives securely (they contain private keys).
  • Restoration overwrites existing configuration. Ensure the donor node is offline before restoring its backup to avoid data divergence.
  • Both scripts expect sudo or equivalent privileges when manipulating system files. Use the -u flag to match the original install user if necessary.

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create_backup

Purpose: Generate a compressed archive containing MyTonCtrl configuration, keyring, and validator data. Syntax 
create_backup [filename] [-u <user>]
Behavior
  • Exports the validator keyring via exportallprivatekeys, captures the current config.json, and stages them in a temporary directory.
  • Invokes scripts/create_backup.sh with:
    • -m pointing to the MyTonCtrl working directory (usually /var/ton-work).
    • -t referencing the temporary snapshot directory.
    • Optional -d <filename> when you supply filename; otherwise the script chooses its own name.
    • Optional -u <user> to run the backup script as a specific system user (defaults to the effective user).
  • Removes the temporary directory afterwards and prints create_backup - OK or ... - Error based on the script’s exit code.
Examples 
create_backup
create_backup mynode-backup-2024-05-01.tar -u validator

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restore_backup

Purpose: Restore a previously created backup archive into the current node environment. Syntax 
restore_backup <filename> [-y] [--skip-create-backup] [-u <user>]
Behavior
  • Requires the backup archive filename. Optional flags:
    • -y skips the interactive confirmation prompt.
    • --skip-create-backup prevents MyTonCtrl from making a safety backup of the current state before restoring.
    • -u <user> runs the restore script as the specified system user (defaults to the current user).
  • Without --skip-create-backup, first calls create_backup with default arguments so you can roll back if needed.
  • Resolves the node’s IP address, then runs scripts/restore_backup.sh with -m <work_dir>, -n <filename>, -i <node_ip> (converted to integer form).
  • If restoration succeeds and validator mode is active, reinitializes BTC Teleport to ensure the service still matches the restored state.
  • Exits MyTonCtrl after a successful restore so you can restart with the new configuration.
Examples 
restore_backup mynode-backup-2024-05-01.tar
restore_backup mynode-backup-2024-05-01.tar -y --skip-create-backup -u validator