This panel allows you to set the system lock during maintenance or backup. There are three different lock options during maintenance backup below, each with its own pros and cons:

1. Maintenance mode - this is the most recommended option

   • Description: The site is not usable during this mode, a 503 - Service Unavailable response is sent to each request. "The site is temporarily down for maintenance. Please reload this page in a few minutes." additional message is displayed in these cases. This can be edited in the file /conf/_maintenance.html. To enable this mode, rename the file /conf/_maintenance.html to /conf/maintenance.html (complete lock) or /conf/imaintenance.html (gives access to /install).
   • Pros:
     • The backup will contains exactly the same information what b2evolution has when the Backup button is clicked
     • The chance that some error occurs during the backup process is very low
     • After the backup process is done, users can continue exactly the same place where they were in the moment when the backup was started.
   • Cons:
     • The site is not available at all during the backup

2. Maintenance lock

   • Description: The site is usable with this lock. It prevent users to login the system (except for admins) and logged in users will be kicked out. This way sending comments/messages is not possible. It also prevents the DB from receiving updates (other than logging).
   • Pros:
     • The system is still usable with limited features.
     • Anonymous users can read any posts/comments and they can also navigate through b2evolution. The only restriction for them is that they can’t leave comments during backup.
     • The chance that some error occurs during the backup process is low.
   • Cons:
     • The chance that some error occurs during the backup is a little higher than in case of the maintenance mode.
     • Users other than admins will be kicked out.
     • Unsaved posts, comments and private messages will be lost because users get kicked out.

3. Leave the site open for modification - this is not recommended

   • Description: There is no restriction during the backup process.
   • Pros:
     • The site is fully usable during the backup process.
   • Cons:
     • The exact state of the backed up data is not known because it can be modified during the backup.
     • The chance that some backup error occurs is high.

The lock system parameter can be found in the back-office, at Site > Site settings, and also at System > Maintenance > Tools.