If an update fails and test forum question

[CrashfAB]

Ok--so getting ready to update my forum.

First off its a decent size forum---over 5000 members with over 500 users a day....

So hypotheticaly speaking

If I backup my database--and copy all the files via ftp as a backup (forum files)

If I should crash it bad--can I copy back via ftp the files I backed up(forum files) and use my database backup and be back to square 1?

I am just very nervouse about updating my forum and killing it without having some way to practice it first...

[RedeemedWarrior]

if you backup everything then yes :)

[CrashfAB]

if you backup everything then yes :)

Thank you.........

I have another question--a little more technical.......:D

So can I copy my forum to a different location. Take either a new database or a backup copy and run my forum as a test forum. Then can I take trial runs on updating my forum? The main reason for this--would be so I could practice on editing my modified templates and also see what hacks will work with 3.8.0 along with vBadvanced ...

[Dismounted]

So can I copy my forum to a different location. Take either a new database or a backup copy and run my forum as a test forum. Then can I take trial runs on updating my forum? The main reason for this--would be so I could practice on editing my modified templates and also see what hacks will work with 3.8.0 along with vBadvanced ...
In a nutshell, yes.

When upgrading, I copy my live database onto the test installation. Perform the upgrade to test. Then update and export the style. Test functionality and fix up if need be.

After that, it's just a matter of upgrading the live forum and overwriting the style.

[CrashfAB]

In a nutshell, yes.

When upgrading, I copy my live database onto the test installation. Perform the upgrade to test. Then update and export the style. Test functionality and fix up if need be.

After that, it's just a matter of upgrading the live forum and overwriting the style.

ahhhh---that makes alot of sense--- edit the templates, export the style since the templates are in the style--then import them onto the life forum. That way you have kicked the down time alot--and you can work for a couple days getting the templates taken care of.

Very nice...

One question, when you say copy your database---do you mean make a physical copy of it and run that? My database knowledge is pretty slim--I only know what I have learned with installing VBB and creating a database...

[Dismounted]

One question, when you say copy your database---do you mean make a physical copy of it and run that? My database knowledge is pretty slim--I only know what I have learned with installing VBB and creating a database...
I have a dedicated server which (among other things), allows me to use the SSH command line. From there, I can "talk" to MySQL directly and issue commands, such as to backup, or to restore, etc.

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