Backup/Restore ANY Forum WITHOUT SSH
 

As a former newbie administrator, I was faced with the daunting task of backing up my forum. I tried backing up via phpMyAdmin with o success after my forum reached 8+ megs. I then tried the billions of SSH tutorials given to me by veterans. I didn't understand it then, and I still don't understand it now.

Enter in MySQL Dumper.

1. First, to do this, you need to know how to:

• Upload Files
• CHMOD folders
• Download stuff
• Install web based PHP scripts (like vBulletin)

If you do not know how to do any of this, this tutorial is not for you. Moving on,

2. Go here: http://www.mysqldumper.de/en/ and download the latest .zip of MySQL Dumper and unzip it somewhere on your PC and/or Mac.

3. Upload "/mysqldumper/" somewhere in the public_html/www section of your server. You will need to do this with an FTP program. You may be able to run it outside fo the public_html folder, but I haven't tried it.

4. Navigate to: http://www.yoursite.com/mysqldumper/install.php. Choose your language, leave hostname as "localhost" unless your host has specified something different for you. Enter in your vB database's username and password. Leave the rest blank unless specified by web host. Hit "connect to MySQL".

5. You should get confirmation of databases it connected to. Hit save and continue.

6. Continue with installation and default settings

7. You will now see a list of directories. If there are not green check marks on them continue to step 7a. If there are green check marks continue to step 8.

7a. In your FTP client go to: public_htlm/mysqldumper/ and create a folder called "work" if it doesn't already exist. Now CHMOD it to 777. To do this right click the folder, and you will see something that says "CHMOD" and a box fro numbers. Just simply put in "777". Now go inside of this folder and create: config, log, backup, and structure folders; CHMOD them to 777 as well. Go back to your browser and hit "check directories" and see if the green check marks come on. They should at this point. If not, ask for help in this thread. Also, one of the posts further down had this to say about running your server in safe mode:

Don't know if this works, no safe mode server to verify it on; but it shouldn't hurt anything to try if you're having these problems.


8. Hit "continue with installation"., then hit "start mysql dumper".

To back up go to 9a. To restore go to 9b.

BACKING UP:

9a. Now on the bar on the left hand side, click "back up". Select "start new back up" and it will begin backing up your database. It will take a little while depending on size, so just wait and watch it.

10a. After it is done, on the menu bar select "File administration". Click your database of choice. You will be displayed with a list of backups on record. Right click which ever one you wish and save it. You must RIGHT CLICK, left click will just give you a little bit of information about the file. I'm not sure why...

RESTORE:

9b. If the .sql file is not already on the server upload it to /public_html/mysqldumper/work/backup.

10b. Select "restore" option on left hand side bar. Click the database you want to restore.

11b. Select the radio button next to desired backup, hit restore at the top, and let it go. Should be finished in a bit and you're good to go.

This method hasn't failed me yet. :)

Since this is an open source project, I am going to try to work on integrating it into vB 3.5 and 3.6 when school gets out, though this is a ways away. If I did this, than all you would do is upload the files and hit "back up". It can also be configured to do nightly back ups and such, which I may write about later if I have time.

If you notice any problems with my write up (typos, etc) let me know and I'll correct them. If you need help with any of the steps let me know; but only if you're willing to learn, I live a busy life of rock bands, jazz bands, calculus, and parties; don' have time to waste with jerks. ;). I will not help anyone for free with a "do it for me" or "do it now!" type attitude, it will cost you types :p.

Thats all, let me know how it goes!

Wow thanks man, exellent

No problem, when I found out this little hack, I was amazed; glad I can help someone.

Has anyone used mysqldumper for moving databases from one server to another?

I can't get past step 7a...
Only folder "work" gets the tick as show on the picture. I tried downloading the latest version (on their forum 1.22) and didn't fix it

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/1954/dumperkp9.jpg

I have, and it has worked for me.

You need to CHMOD all of them to 777.

They are ALL in 777 (sorry got the img link ab it wrong)
I've tried also 755 (Indicated on mysqldumper page) but nothing

Also tried deleting all the work (777) subfolders and pressing check, the subfolders were created again, but no green tick. Thre created subfolders are in 777 already...

My server is on linux safe mode, that might help... (don't think so tho :( )

Safe mode mgiht be causing problems. Try running a back up, and tell me what happens when you try.

I can't really do much about this, I'm on a shared server so...

Meaning? Sorry, I don't know what you mean by saying "running a backup"

Thanks for explaining in advance ;)

Since you created the folders, try to run the script anyways. See if it works; if it doesn't, I'll try to think of some other solutions for you.

Thx It finally work
That quote seem to give me the idea.

It was a mix of deleting and creating again the folders in 777. Aparently the ones it creates automatically are no good, so...

When you get the green tick on work delete all the 4 subfolders, and make them again, put them in 777 run the script again and it should work. At least it did for me. If not, try to run combinations of deleting, runing the check script and making folders in 777

----PS
backed up my forums, very easy no problems, hope I'll never need to restore one of them but... I'll write my experience if it happens :=)
Thx again TruthElixirX :)

No problem, I'll add your advice to the first post.

Hi,
myqslqdumper is a fine opensource work :)
I translate do portuguese br [see in site] and i really like the program ... but... I don't know how we can automatize the script. I think is a pearl script.
But i don't have any ideia how can i make the script.

Anybody can help?

All the best
Beduino

Not sure what you mean. You can set up a cron job to run it every so many hours.

SSH...

To login and backup a database in one line:
To restore a database in one line:
I use the backup cmd in an automated backup script which saves the file then uploads the file to a backup server.

i used this method to move mysite to another server and the database restored successfully and the site and everything is there but when i got to make a new post for some reason it ends up quoting old post for no reason and doesnt display what i typed in for the post....any ideas why?

Thanks for this much-needed tutorial.

I had no problems installing mysqldumper, but I have had some with creating directory protection, which, according to the msqldumper homepage, is urgently required. I keep getting this message: "There was an error while creating the directory protection !
Please create the 2 files manually with following content". I don't even know which two files it's asking for, unless it wants separate files for the username and the password.

--------------- Added [DATE]1194758587[/DATE] at [TIME]1194758587[/TIME] ---------------

Sorted the situation out through cPanel. Everything is AOK now.

I'd try resetting counters in the maintenance section of your Admin CP.

I have used it to move a database from one server to another. I had never been so succesful in restoring a database!

Thanks you very much TruthElixirX

Glad I could help. :)

Anyway to make this automatically happen. Say every 5 days or so?

SVT

If your post supports Pearl.


It is a cron job you can run in some of the settings.

nice tutorial...gonna try this one too...thanks bro....;)

nice, i tried it... works perfectly for all my db's :D can even ftp them to another backup server :o gotta test the cronjob thingy x_x

I have MySQLDumper running without any problem. This is a great tool to use. Thanks for the recommendation.

I would like to add something done like sending an email to an email account on another server. How would I do that?

This is a great tool for me as my host company Webserve.ca is trying to hold us hostage by not allowing us to do DB backup's. I have one question, when looking at my backups in an editor what is the output I should be looking for in the file to let me know it was done correctly.
Great product easy to install highly recommended it.
The output I got at the bottom of the table was this

i missed any size of attach table in transfering

can i restore and combine just this table?

Installed and backed up. What a piece of cake. Great post!

Now my question for anyone with the time to explain. I want to install a test forum to upgrade with vb4. How do I go about restoring this backup to a new database that I can then use for my test forum? Do I even need to make a new database? I am a total n00b at this so forgive my ignorance.

Thanks!

Hello,

I have a brand new forum and worked so much to get all the content on their. www.wfgsp.com

Now I need to know something. I am currently still a large noob but I get most things if simply explained.

So please please answer the following question for me :)


Other then backing up with database with the proiveded method, do i also have to download the physical forum through ftp and upload that to the new server? So basically to transfer to a new server. I just have to upload all the ftp files and upload the database with the provided method here?

Please guide me steps to successfully move my forum to a new server.

Thank you so much in advance, I will be most grateful.

-Sam

Thank you fot the excellent tutorial

Glad to know it is still helping!

I've been using Mysql Dumper for years and it's always worked great for me

Mine keeps timing out when I'm restoring my post table. Stops here everytime. Any advice?

https://vborg.vbsupport.ru/

Thanks in advance.

Just came across this article tonight, followed your instructions to the letter and the only thing I had to do manually was to add the "work" folder and subfolders and CHMOD them to 777
After that I ran a backup and it worked first time.

Thanks so much for this. :)

This isn't a 'hack' so please don't call it one.
its just telling you how to use an already well documented script.

Mysql Dumper is To bad... i have ba Exp form Dumper

set the speed to something lower than 50,000.

Go to
mysite.com/mysqldumper/config_overview.php
click general

Set speed control from 100 to 9000. I don't recommend setting it higher unless you are on a VPS or Dedicated.