database backup times out due too large db

[Kaasie]

Hi all..
my database is gettng big and if i want to make a backup it just times out on the 30 seconds as there are some larger tables in the db..
is there a way to set the 30 seconds to like 90 seconds?

[Kirk Y]

The only reliable method of backing up and restoring your database is via Secure Shell: http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/maintenance_ssh_backup

Most hosts offer this by default.

Having said that, I believe you can increase the max execution time by editing your php.ini file with the following:
max_execution_time = 300

[Marco van Herwaarden]

The only reliable method of backing up and restoring a database is with shell access via telnet or ssh. This is because backing up with a PHP script like that in the Admin CP or phpMyAdmin can result in PHP timeouts errors and an incomplete backup file. Please see the instructions here:

Backup:
http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/maintenance_ssh_backup

Restore:
http://www.vbulletin.com/docs/html/maintenance_ssh_restore

P.S. If you don't have shell access, some people have also reported success with these scripts:

MySQLDumper:
http://www.mysqldumper.de/en/index.php

MySQLHotxcopy:
http://www.vbulletin.com/forum/showthread.php?t=134821&highlight=mysqlhotcopy

Bigdump:
http://www.ozerov.de/bigdump.php

[Kaasie]

thanks very much guys, this is really helpfull :)