How to back up a website ?

Hi Charles,
Thank you (and David) for your help. It is really great advice.

Per your email I have a few questions:

"You should experiment and try to restore your database from the
backup,
rather than doing it for the first time when you really have to!

To do this using phpMyAdmin click on your database name in the
left-hand
panel. Then click on "SQL", from there you can select the name of
your
backup file to import as a SQL query. Again, hit the "Go" button and
you're
done.

For backing up your pages, I would simply download them with your
favourite
ftp program."

My questions are:

1. When I download a copy of the MySql database from the web site
(onto my pc), I take it that I will still have a copy on the site.
Correct ?
So when I upload to "experiement" and try to restore database from the
backup, will everything be "double" on the site ?

2.There are quite a few different pages, features etc for inputting
data on the site...I am assuming that the uploading/downloading
feature knows exactly where to place the info. when
downloading/uploading.

3.For Backing pages of the site...I am not technical...what ftp
program is easy and freely available to use.

Thanks for your help in advance,
Lynn



"Charles Sweeney" <me RemoveThis @charlessweeney.com> wrote in message news:<bv7trq$p6de1$1@ID-162618.news.uni-berlin.de>...
 > "Lynn Masters" <lynnmasters123 RemoveThis @yahoo.com> wrote in message
 > news:fa6cf21.0401272155.2522525c@posting.google.com...
  > > I am very green in technology.
  > >
  > > I was wondering how one backs up a Database Driven website...Php,
  > > MySql and Linux. Some Dreamweaver i think.
  > > The hosting company uses Cpanel.
  > >
  > >
  > > SQL Disk usage 2.16 Megabytes
  > > Disk space available 7.30 Megabytes
  > >
  > > On Cpanel i see terms like:
  > >
  > > 1.Full Backups
  > >
  > > Generate/Download a Full Backup
  > > Download a home directory Backup
  > >
  > >
  > > 2.Download a SQL Database Backup
  > >
  > >
  > > 3.Download Alias/Filter Backup
  > >
  > > Aliases Filters
  > >
  > > What does Alias filters mean ?
  > >
  > > Can I back this on to my PC say every week
  > > Does the Full back up include SQL database backup ?
  > >
  > > Since the database is probably what changes all the time, do you think
  > > I should only back up the SQL database every week or so ?
  > >
  > > Roughly how long would something like this take using a cable
  > > connection?
  > >
  > > If so would anyone be kind enough to explain to me step by step how
  > > this is done.
  > >
  > > For an non technical person is this within reach ?
 >
 > Following on from David's excellent advice, to backup your MySQL database:
 >
 > From Cpanel, click on "MySQL databases".
 >
 > At the bottom of the page, click on "phpMyAdmin".
 >
 > Click on the "export" link.
 >
 > You will see lots of options, but for now, just accept them as they are.
 > You will see a check box "Save as file", check this, and give the file a
 > name, then hit the "Go" button. You will be prompted to choose a location
 > to save the file.
 >
 > That's it.
 >
 > You should experiment and try to restore your database from the backup,
 > rather than doing it for the first time when you really have to!
 >
 > To do this using phpMyAdmin click on your database name in the left-hand
 > panel. Then click on "SQL", from there you can select the name of your
 > backup file to import as a SQL query. Again, hit the "Go" button and you're
 > done.
 >
 > For backing up your pages, I would simply download them with your favourite
 > ftp program.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: How to back up a website ? 

Lynn Masters wrote:

 > I am very green in technology.
 >
 > I was wondering how one backs up a Database Driven website...Php,
 > MySql and Linux. Some Dreamweaver i think.
 > The hosting company uses Cpanel.
 >
 >
 > SQL Disk usage 2.16 Megabytes
 > Disk space available 7.30 Megabytes
 >
 > On Cpanel i see terms like:
 >
 > 1.Full Backups
 >
 > Generate/Download a Full Backup
 > Download a home directory Backup
 >
 >
 > 2.Download a SQL Database Backup
 >
 >
 > 3.Download Alias/Filter Backup
 >
 > Aliases Filters
 >
 > What does Alias filters mean ?

Not being familiar with CPanel, I suspect they are talking about your
email setup and redirects. I guess if you have emails stored on the
server that you would like to keep then you would need this.

 > Can I back this on to my PC say every week

You can do it every hour if you so wish.

 > Does the Full back up include SQL database backup ?

Try and find out.

 > Since the database is probably what changes all the time, do you think
 > I should only back up the SQL database every week or so ?

Golden rule of thumb for backing stuff up. Never leave more data backed
up than you can afford to lose.

So, if you get a thousand new/updated records every week, it would be a
very good idea, perhaps even to do it once a day.

Similarly, if your pages change so much in a week that you can't afford
to lose a week's worth, back them up too.

 > Roughly how long would something like this take using a cable
 > connection?

5 mins tops. Burning onto CD/copying to desired medium not included.

 > If so would anyone be kind enough to explain to me step by step how
 > this is done.

Don't be afraid to click on links and see what they do - that is the
only way you are going to learn anything about technology.

 > For an non technical person is this within reach ?

I don't know - see if you can do it and then you will know. Should it be
in reach? I would think so.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: How to back up a website ? 

"Lynn Masters" <lynnmasters123.DeleteThis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:fa6cf21.0401280906.748b8a22@posting.google.com...
 > Hi Charles,
 > Thank you (and David) for your help. It is really great advice.
 >
 > Per your email I have a few questions:

 > 1. When I download a copy of the MySql database from the web site
 > (onto my pc), I take it that I will still have a copy on the site.
 > Correct ?

Correct.

 > So when I upload to "experiement" and try to restore database from the
 > backup, will everything be "double" on the site ?

No. It will overwrite anything there, or produce an error that the table
already exists etc. Depends on a number of factors. Best thing to do is to
experiment on a non-live site.

Make a test site, test.yourdomain.com just add it in as a new site with your
Webhost Manager control panel if you have such a thing. You can also setup
mySQL on your own pc and experiment that way, too much to go into here!

When I have restored a mySQL database, I completely removed the old one
first. All the info in your backup (if you backed up using the default
settings) is then used to create the new copy, with everything intact.

 > 2.There are quite a few different pages, features etc for inputting
 > data on the site...I am assuming that the uploading/downloading
 > feature knows exactly where to place the info. when
 > downloading/uploading.

Not entirely sure what you mean here, but if the update sections of the site
are written to update a particular part of the database, then yes, it should
still do this.

 > 3.For Backing pages of the site...I am not technical...what ftp
 > program is easy and freely available to use.

You should already have your pages on your own machine? Sometimes there are
reasons why you may want to download an entire site from the web using ftp,
but all the stuff should already be on your machine if you created it there.

I believe wsftp is free, check Google groups for an archive of this
newsgroup, free ftp has come up several times.

--
Charles Sweeney
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.CharlesSweeney.com" target="_blank">www.CharlesSweeney.com</a><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: How to back up a website ? 

Hi Charles,
Below is the back up page.

Backup Page
****************

Previous Full Backups saved in Home Directory:

No Previous Backups


Generate a Full Backup

Backup Destination:(drop down menu of the following options)
Home Directory
Remote Ftp
Server Remote Ftp Server (passive mode transfer)

Email Address:

Remote Server (ftp/scp only):

Remote User (ftp/scp only):

Remote Password (ftp/scp only):

Generate backup (tab)

************************************************************************
Could you pls. help me with the above choices and what I need to type
to download onto my PC.

Thanks ever so much for your help in advance,
Lynn




"Charles Sweeney" <me.RemoveThis@charlessweeney.com> wrote in message news:<bv8rc1$po42o$1@ID-162618.news.uni-berlin.de>...
 > "Lynn Masters" <lynnmasters123.RemoveThis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
 > news:fa6cf21.0401280906.748b8a22@posting.google.com...
  > > Hi Charles,
  > > Thank you (and David) for your help. It is really great advice.
  > >
  > > Per your email I have a few questions:
 >
  > > 1. When I download a copy of the MySql database from the web site
  > > (onto my pc), I take it that I will still have a copy on the site.
  > > Correct ?
 >
 > Correct.
 >
  > > So when I upload to "experiement" and try to restore database from the
  > > backup, will everything be "double" on the site ?
 >
 > No. It will overwrite anything there, or produce an error that the table
 > already exists etc. Depends on a number of factors. Best thing to do is to
 > experiment on a non-live site.
 >
 > Make a test site, test.yourdomain.com just add it in as a new site with your
 > Webhost Manager control panel if you have such a thing. You can also setup
 > mySQL on your own pc and experiment that way, too much to go into here!
 >
 > When I have restored a mySQL database, I completely removed the old one
 > first. All the info in your backup (if you backed up using the default
 > settings) is then used to create the new copy, with everything intact.
 >
  > > 2.There are quite a few different pages, features etc for inputting
  > > data on the site...I am assuming that the uploading/downloading
  > > feature knows exactly where to place the info. when
  > > downloading/uploading.
 >
 > Not entirely sure what you mean here, but if the update sections of the site
 > are written to update a particular part of the database, then yes, it should
 > still do this.
 >
  > > 3.For Backing pages of the site...I am not technical...what ftp
  > > program is easy and freely available to use.
 >
 > You should already have your pages on your own machine? Sometimes there are
 > reasons why you may want to download an entire site from the web using ftp,
 > but all the stuff should already be on your machine if you created it there.
 >
 > I believe wsftp is free, check Google groups for an archive of this
 > newsgroup, free ftp has come up several times.<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: How to back up a website ? 

"Lynn Masters" <lynnmasters123.TakeThisOut@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:fa6cf21.0401281645.454efaee@posting.google.com...
 > Hi Charles,
 > Below is the back up page.
 >
 > Backup Page
 > ****************
 >
 > Previous Full Backups saved in Home Directory:
 >
 > No Previous Backups
 >
 >
 > Generate a Full Backup
 >
 > Backup Destination:(drop down menu of the following options)
 > Home Directory
 > Remote Ftp
 > Server Remote Ftp Server (passive mode transfer)
 >
 > Email Address:
 >
 > Remote Server (ftp/scp only):
 >
 > Remote User (ftp/scp only):
 >
 > Remote Password (ftp/scp only):
 >
 > Generate backup (tab)
 >
 > ************************************************************************
 > Could you pls. help me with the above choices and what I need to type
 > to download onto my PC.
 >
 > Thanks ever so much for your help in advance,
 > Lynn

That doesn't look familiar to me.

Is it phpMyAdmin? What version?

Did you reach that from Cpanel?

Looks like you should select "remote ftp" then enter your ftp details (see
your host) for the ftp host, username and password.

Would really need to know where you are getting this from, software, version
etc.

It would be interesting to know this, but my thoughts are now that you
should ask your host how to do it.
--
Charles Sweeney
<a style='text-decoration: underline;' href="http://www.CharlesSweeney.com" target="_blank">www.CharlesSweeney.com</a><!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->
 >> Stay informed about: How to back up a website ?