Installation Guide

Quick Installation

Method 1: WordPress Admin (Recommended)

  1. Log into your WordPress admin panel
  2. Go to Plugins → Add New
  3. Click “Upload Plugin”
  4. Choose the plugin zip file (vt-db-backup-1.0.33.zip)
  5. Click “Install Now”
  6. Click “Activate Plugin”

Method 2: Manual Installation

  1. Download the plugin zip file
  2. Extract the contents to your computer
  3. Upload the vt-db-backup folder to /wp-content/plugins/ on your server
  4. Go to Plugins → Installed Plugins in WordPress admin
  5. Click “Activate” next to VT Database Backup

System Requirements

Minimum Requirements

  • WordPress: 5.0 or higher
  • PHP: 7.4 or higher
  • MySQL: 5.6 or higher
  • Memory Limit: 128MB (256MB recommended)
  • Max Execution Time: 300 seconds (5 minutes)

Recommended Requirements

  • WordPress: 6.0 or higher
  • PHP: 8.0 or higher
  • MySQL: 8.0 or higher
  • Memory Limit: 512MB
  • Max Execution Time: 600 seconds (10 minutes)

Post-Installation Setup

1. Access the Plugin

After activation, you’ll find “Database Backup” in your WordPress admin menu.

2. Initial Configuration

  • Backup Directory: Automatically created at /wp-content/db-backups/
  • Default Settings: Pre-configured for immediate use
  • Permissions: Automatically set to secure levels

3. First Backup

  • Go to Database Backup → Create Backup
  • Click “Create Backup Now”
  • Wait for completion (usually 1-5 minutes)

Configuration Options

Basic Settings

  • Backup Prefix: Customize backup file names
  • Compression: Enable/disable Gzip compression
  • Performance Mode: Optimize for large databases

Notification Settings

  • Email Notifications: Receive backup confirmations
  • Admin Email: Default notification recipient

Scheduling (Free Version)

  • Daily Backups: Automatic daily backups
  • Weekly Backups: Weekly automated backups
  • Maximum Backups: Limited to 5 files (PRO: unlimited)

Troubleshooting

Common Installation Issues

“Plugin could not be activated” Error

Cause: PHP version too low or memory limit exceeded

Solution:

  • Check PHP version (minimum 7.4)
  • Increase memory limit to 256MB
  • Contact your hosting provider

“Directory not writable” Error

Cause: Insufficient file permissions

Solution:

  • Set /wp-content/ permissions to 755
  • Set /wp-content/plugins/ permissions to 755
  • Contact your hosting provider if issues persist

“Database connection failed” Error

Cause: Database credentials or connection issues

Solution:

  • Verify database credentials in wp-config.php
  • Check database server status
  • Ensure database user has proper permissions

Performance Issues

Slow Backup Creation

Causes & Solutions:

  • Large Database: Enable performance mode
  • Server Resources: Increase memory limit
  • Network Issues: Check server connectivity

Memory Exhaustion

Solutions:

  • Increase PHP memory limit to 512MB
  • Enable performance mode
  • Contact hosting provider for optimization

Security Considerations

File Permissions

  • Plugin files: 644
  • Plugin directories: 755
  • Backup directory: 750 (not web-accessible)

Database Access

  • Plugin uses WordPress database credentials
  • No additional database users required
  • Secure connection handling

Backup Storage

  • Backups stored outside web root
  • Secure file permissions
  • No direct web access

Updating the Plugin

Automatic Updates

  • WordPress will notify you of available updates
  • Click “Update Now” when prompted
  • Plugin will maintain your settings

Manual Updates

  1. Download the latest version
  2. Deactivate the current plugin
  3. Delete the old plugin files
  4. Upload the new version
  5. Activate the plugin

Uninstallation

Before Uninstalling

  • Download all backups you want to keep
  • Note your settings for future reference
  • Ensure backups are stored elsewhere

Complete Removal

  1. Deactivate the plugin
  2. Delete the plugin files
  3. Remove backup directory (optional)
  4. Clean up database options (optional)

Support

Getting Help

  • Documentation: Check this guide first
  • WordPress.org Forums: Community support
  • PRO Support: Priority support for paid users
  • Contact: support@visiontech.consulting

Before Contacting Support

  • Check system requirements
  • Review error messages
  • Test with default settings
  • Check server error logs

Need help? Check our troubleshooting guide or contact support