** Noob Query - Back-ups **
 

Hi, I'm a noob , and don't come from an IT/Programming back-ground, but more than make up for it in adaptability and logic.

I'm a layman with an analytical mind , and I'll tell ya what I understand and what exact part I don't.

I have a domain and the forums installed directly in public_html.

I want to back-up using SSH - I have an SSH client on my Mac , I have enabled access, and successfully tested accessing my server via SSH.

I read the vBulletin sheet on backing up via SSH/Telnet, and it seems like a simple one line command and PRESTO ! = This is the command -

mysqldump --opt -Q -u dbusername -p databasename > backupname.sql

And for backing up in another directory -

mysqldump --opt -Q -u dbusername -p databasename > /path/to/backupname.sql

So there are 3 variables - the database username, database name, and backup name, plus entering the db password to authenticate.

Am I logically following this correctly at this point > OK !

Say my db username is 'iceman25' and my db name is 'iceman25_vb', then in my SSH client I would enter -

mysqldump --opt -Q -u iceman25 -p iceman25_vb > backupname.sql

Is the above correct - now my most important question and sticking point - the backup databse.

Can I enter say "iceman25_backup.sql" for the back-up destination, click enter, enter db password, and everthing starts backing up ?

Or does a folder have to be created through FTP or something.

The same thing regarding backing to a different directory - should a folder be created manually, then when I'm in the SSH client I enter the back-up name, or is a directory created by using the above command ?

Your patience and attention is greatly appreciated fellows !

--------------- Added [DATE]1215013253[/DATE] at [TIME]1215013253[/TIME] ---------------

Anyone ?

Anybody ?

Somebody ?

* deafening silence after the echo **

If you only enter the filename for the destination, it will write that file to the current working directory.

You can enter any name you want for the backupfilename. If you do not specify a path (directory) in the backup file name, then the file will be created in your current directory. A backup does not create new directories, you will need to do this manually.