To perform a full server-level restore you must have two artifacts:

1) a .tsbak file created with tsm maintenance backup, which contains all PostgreSQL repository data;

2) an export (.json) created with tsm settings export –f, which captures every server secret (including repository passwords) and all configuration settings.

Topology information is regenerated automatically from the exported configuration and therefore does not need a separate backup.

Hence, the three data categories that must be backed up are Server secrets & repository passwords, Configuration data, and Repository data.

B. Topology data – Re-created when configuration JSON is applied; Tableau docs specify no separate topology backup is required for restore.

1. Tableau Software. “Back up Tableau Server Data.” Server Admin Guide 2023.3, section “Back up data you must have for a restore.”

https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/backups.htm (para. 2–5).

2. Tableau Software. “tsm maintenance backup.” Server Admin Guide 2023.3, section “Creates a .tsbak file of repository data.”

https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/tsmcmd.htm#maintenancebackup (entire page).

3. Tableau Software. “tsm settings export.” Server Admin Guide 2023.3, section “Exports configuration settings and security secrets.”

https://help.tableau.com/current/server/en-us/tsmcmd.htm#settingsexport (para. 1–4).