SQL Data Backup

Hi Ron,

MySQL backup is a feature we have in wings but it's a ways off. Some of the challenges are the different levels of access provided by various MySQL installs and the fact you need to backup your uploads as well.

If the client's MySQL server allows remote connections (or can be configured to do so) I believe you can setup automated scheduled mysql backups using MySQL Administrator. A free tool from MySQL here: http://dev.mysql.com/downloads/gui-tools/5.0.html Also, MySQL Query Browser which comes in that package is great as well.

Other things to look into would be checking if the host has automated backups, or perhaps offering the client a backup service for a monthly fee.

Another option might be if you could do a new phpMyAdmin install that only allowed access to their database.

One thing to keep in mind with all of those client powered solutions is that even if it's _them_ that forgets to backup they probably won't be very happy with you about it.

Hope that helps.

Thanks Dave for your prompt reply!

I agree, the buck always stops here regardless of where the fault lies.
I am leaning toward a offering monthly backup service fee just for that reason and because of the uploads.
I do believe that my host does have automated backup .. will look into that.
I take pride in the fact that, in 22 years in this business, have never uttered the words "Oops, I lost your data"

Thanks for the script ... however, I did find a great software that does scheduled or manual backups on selected (or all) databases and selected (or all) tables. I downloaded a 15 day trial and within minutes, had two of the sites set for automated backup. It does incremental or overwrite backups to your local machine/newtork. I am very impressed with it and intend to set it to do scheduled backups on all databases. Of course, there is the issue of backing up the schema, but since I do not allow any section editing, I will have to back them up each time I make any structural changes.

The blog you directed me to has some nice script available for other tasks as well. Being new to PHP, I need all the help I can get!

Thanks again ...

Roberto ...

I forgot to provide the software website. Check it out at http://www.swordsky.com/

Check it out at http://www.swordsky.com/

I can vouch for this software. Have been using it for about a year now to do daily,weekly, monthly and manual backups and restores of a couple of dozen MySQL datasets. Mostly CMSB in fact, but some Mambo/Joomla/Drupal and custom datasets too.

Also have Navicat which I've found to be highly unreliable as far as scheduling is concerned. It also seems to trip over all sorts of server timeouts and fail without notice. Support has been less than helpful on all fronts.

The SwordSky product is less grand and offers fewer functions. However, it does what it claims to do. It does one thing, does it well, and stays out of sight otherwise. The perfect compliment to CMSB.

J.