Emergency Backup and Restore

[Pamela]

Hi Ruhul,

I just have a question about site backups and recovery. No quick response needed. I really don’t understand what I actually need and don’t know where to get myself educated on the topic.

I back up mySQL database on the server and have been able to use that to restore to an earlier version when needed, with the help of the hosting provider.

Now, with All-in-One-Security I can also backup my database through there and my config.php and htaccess files.

I also FTP my entire site to my desktop at least weekly.

At one point I also used a very cool backup plug in but haven’t renewed my subscription. I don’t know if I need it or not. I tend to panic when I do something stupid that breaks my site. I would like to have a clearer picture of how to recover and what I should have in place to be able to do so.

You have always graciously helped me but it seems that I should have a set up that allows me to turn back the clock in an emergency without writing to you in a panic.

I don’t know if I have it or if I should have more.

Can you point me in the right direction? No hurry, I’m not panicking at the moment.

Best, Pam

P.S. All-In-One-Security blocked 2 brute force attacks in the last 20 hours. Thanks for beating up the bullies for me!

[Keith]

Hi Pamela,

Until Ruhul replies I wanted to point out that you are already doing more than most people. But of course, that doesn’t mean there isn’t more that could be done.

In general, for all my sites I:

1) Let me host do daily backups of all site files (which contains config and user files from the media library, etc.)

2) Use a plugin to compress and email me my database (which contains content and settings)

Also, when I was less comfortable, I would download individual files by FTP (for themes and plugins) before modifying them to be sure my recent change didn’t cause any grief.

Other than the immediate backups for files that I was currently changing I felt comfortable getting daily database backups safely in my inbox, plus daily backups on the server for all files (with the ability to go back up to a month if I wanted).

Hope that helps.

[Pamela]

Thank you Keith! That helps some.

I guess what really throw me off recently was that I tried to recover from a really bad move on my part.

In trying to correct it I attempted to FTP my local backup up to the server. Well, I don’t have a fast upload speed and at the rate it was uploading it would take 171 hours.

I called the host and they simply reset me back 24 hours. All was well. As it turns out they had led me down the wrong path initially because “most people don’t backup their database” and they assumed that I hadn’t either and told me to ftp my backups to the server.

It left me wondering if the database backup is really all I need.

I used Backup Buddy in the past but it seems that I don’t need it. Don’t know if I should buy it again or not, it’s annual.

GoDaddy does daily backups too but I get conflicting info from them on whether I can rely on that.

I think my trouble is that I don’t know what the database actually contains. I don’t think I know enough to ask this question clearly. You said content and settings. Is that all I need? Is a separate backup plug in superfluous? Is backing up my entire site silly?

Thanks again for your help!

Pam

[admin]

Hi Pam, The database backup contains all the main important data of your site (this includes all the posts, pages, categories, tags, settings etc). Basically, anything you can edit and save on your site will go into the database.

When it comes to backing up files, you only want to backup your “wp-content” directory as that contains the items you uploaded via the media uploader, plugin files and theme files.

You can always re-download WordPress, your theme and plugin files so you could get away with not backing them up. Just backup the “wp-content/uploads” folder in that case.

If something terrible happened and your host couldn’t restore your site then you can do the following to get it back

– Install a fresh copy of WordPress using the 1 click install from cPanel

– Install the plugins and themes

– Restore your database from the backup

– FTP the backed up “uploads” directory to “wp-content/uploads” directory

Your host should be able to restore your site in most cases so one could argue that backing up your database is the most crucial thing. The database contains all the articles you have written and page content that you created.

Having a backup software that can do more backups is always plus. It really comes down to your choice and how much safe you want to feel I guess.

[Pamela]

Hi Key Master,

Thank you for taking the time to explain this! Now I can make an informed decision.

Cheers, Pam

[Pamela]

Hi Ruhul,

Do you foresee any effect on my TTQ plug ins if I add this line to the wp-config.php file?

define(‘ALTERNATE_WP_CRON’,true);

between the first <?php) and before /*That’s all, stop editing! Happy blogging,*/)

Maybe it’s not appropriate to ask you about such things. I don’t know. Figured it’s better than asking for help AFTER I broke things.

Your data on backup and recover was very clear. After considering it I decided that I get too scatter brained to calmly recover when I break my site. So, I went to Backup Buddy.

I’m having one small difficulty with it and this is the fix they want me to apply. I am concerned about how it might affect PDF Stamper because it loops back (or something, don’t know right terminology).

Thank you, Pam

[admin]

Hi Pam, I don’t see an issue with that tweak.

[Author]

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