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Hi Rainer, If I'm honest about this, I'm really slack when it comes to backups..

I trust that nothing will go wrong and if it does, well my Hosting Company does daily backups. But have I ever checked or even bothered to ask them if this is actually happening, No Of course not, I trust them..

The only other option I use is when I remember to think about; when was the last time I backed up my site and then check the backup DVD's, I realise it's been years..

So then it's a mad panic to get a recent backup done and burnt to DVD's.

My current backup plan (when I remember it needs to be done) is to "zip" my entire site and then download that zip file to my computer, then add that file to my Backup DVD's.

If I do this once a year, I'm happy.. Not ecstatic, but minimally happy..

As to how this should be done, I'd like it to be automatic and much more often than when I remember and I then only have to click a single button to carry this entire procedure out.

I wonder if this is possible?

Could be added to the Pro Version of this great software?

Maybe allow some options as to what to backup:- Posts, Config files, entire Forum(s), entire Domain(s), etc.

Maybe allow some options as to how often to backup:- Daily, Weekly, Monthly, etc..

Maybe allow some options as to where to store backups:- Location of Backup Folder, Drive 0, Drive 1, etc.

Cheers

Steve

: For the past few weeks we've dealt with server issues which in the
: end resulted in moving some sites to new servers, merging older
: hosting plans to new server plans and all such stuff. Of course
: the old topic of how to do backups comes up again as soon as one
: sets up a new hosting plan or server. Here are a few random
: thoughts to share. Very likely some of you have valuable input
: to share as well

Backup strategies:

: I'm on shared/managed hosting. Backups are included and
: performed by the hosting company.
: Sounds great and simple. Go for it!
: However, did you ever run into a situation where your account was
: closed or suspended due to "abuse"? If you can't even
: FTP to your account, how do you get your forum data back from
: your host? Same problem applies to any sort of dynamic data,
: e.g. user generated content.

: I'm fine. I'm on my owner server (virtual or root) and backups
: are running scheduled by (e.g.) Plesk.
: Great solution. You're safe and sound!
: However, did you ever run into a situation where your server is a
: couple of years old, maybe with a little outdated version of the
: managing interface software creating the backup. Suddenly the
: server crashes and you need to Re-image the server with a
: current image because the old image isn't available any more.
: You get a great new and up-to-date server installed. Only issue:
: the new management software can't read the backups any more
: which were created by our old server software

: I'm paranoid anyway, that's why I always download everything to
: a local PC and burn on CD/DVD
: You're a lucky guy/girl having either too much time downloading all
: stuff yourself or having co-admins helping out. - But wait, on
: todays broadband connection downloads are fast!
: However, did you ever install your backups on a new server again or
: simply re-upload everything? No issue? Did you try with a 50-100
: GB website? Your upload speed likely is less than your download
: stream and ..... enjoy fiddling with all permission stuff on
: scripts and files setting everything to read/writeable.

: No risk, no fun. I never make any backup but trust in ....
: Must admit, I like this one best. No ranting from my end

: Other solutions
: Certainly there are lots of other solutions or variants on the
: above mentioned backup strategies. Very likely I've missed some
: details.
: I'm happy to hear what your thoughts on this topic are.

Another
: "two server approach"

: We're currently improving a custom solution which basically
: performs automated backups over the internet. Ideas behind:

: (a) 2 servers involved
: The 'live' server running the website we want to back up.
: The 'backup' server storing backups.

: (b) use only standard tools
: Pack all stuff on the 'live' server using simple tools like
: "tar" to create backup files
: Pull backup files from 'backup' server using standard tools like
: "wget"
: Use password protected folders and simple HTTP connections for
: fetching backup files

: (c) automate stuff as much as possible
: Set the thing up once and let it run forever. Only maintenance left
: is to check if backups are performed as expected. But that's a
: nobrainer, one must always check if backups are actually done.

: (d) keep it flexible
: Live and backup server might be hosted with different hosting
: providers to make backups available even if the host providing
: the live server goes downhill entirely.
: Allow for more than just one backup server for redundancy and for
: the really paranoid people.
: Allow for live and backup server to work cross-wise.
: Live and backup server could be run by different
: owners.

Bottomline

: Currently we're spending some time and effort to get the new
: approach described above improved. Seems to be working so far.
: However, I still don't know what the best solution is for
: performing backups. I'ld be happy to gain some input from you.

: .... more to think about...

: Rainer