Creating Backups

Quick Backup Creation

Manual Backup (One-Click)

  1. Go to Database Backup → Create Backup
  2. Click “Create Backup Now”
  3. Wait for completion (progress bar will show status)
  4. Download or manage your backup file

What Happens During Backup

  • Database connection verification
  • Table structure analysis
  • Data export with –single-transaction
  • Optional Gzip compression
  • File integrity verification
  • Success notification

Backup Types

Full Database Backup

  • Includes: All tables, data, and structure
  • Format: Complete SQL dump
  • Size: Varies based on database size
  • Use Case: Complete system backup

Compressed Backup

  • Compression: Gzip (60-80% size reduction)
  • Format: .sql.gz file
  • Benefits: Faster downloads, less storage
  • Recommended: Yes, for most backups

Backup Settings

Basic Configuration

  • Backup Prefix: vt-db-backup- (customizable)
  • Compression: Enabled by default
  • Performance Mode: Optimized for large databases
  • File Naming: Automatic timestamp inclusion

Advanced Options (PRO Version)

  • Table Selection: Choose specific tables
  • Encryption: AES-256-CBC protection
  • Cloud Storage: Direct upload to S3/FTP
  • Custom Scheduling: Hourly and custom intervals

Backup Process Details

Phase 1: Preparation

  • Verify database connection
  • Check available disk space
  • Create temporary working directory
  • Set up error handling

Phase 2: Export

  • Use mysqldump with –single-transaction
  • Export table structures
  • Export table data
  • Handle large tables efficiently

Phase 3: Processing

  • Apply compression (if enabled)
  • Generate metadata file
  • Calculate file checksums
  • Set proper file permissions

Phase 4: Cleanup

  • Remove temporary files
  • Update backup list
  • Send notifications
  • Log completion status

Best Practices

Before Creating Backups

  • Check Disk Space: Ensure sufficient storage
  • Low Traffic Time: Choose off-peak hours
  • Test First: Verify on staging environment
  • Monitor Resources: Watch server performance

During Backup Process

  • Don’t Interrupt: Let the process complete
  • Monitor Progress: Watch the progress bar
  • Check Logs: Review any error messages
  • Verify Completion: Confirm success notification

After Backup Creation

  • Download Backup: Store locally for safety
  • Verify File Size: Ensure complete backup
  • Test Restoration: Verify backup integrity
  • Update Documentation: Note backup details

Backup File Information

File Naming Convention

vt-db-backup-YYYY-MM-DD-HH-MM-SS.sql.gz
  • Prefix: Customizable backup identifier
  • Date: YYYY-MM-DD format
  • Time: HH-MM-SS format
  • Extension: .sql or .sql.gz

File Contents

  • SQL Commands: Complete database structure
  • Data Inserts: All table data
  • Indexes: Database optimization
  • Constraints: Referential integrity

File Size Optimization

  • Compression: Reduces size by 60-80%
  • Table Selection: Backup only needed tables (PRO)
  • Data Filtering: Exclude unnecessary data (PRO)
  • Cleanup: Remove old backups automatically

Troubleshooting Backup Issues

Common Problems

Backup Fails to Start

Symptoms: Button unresponsive, no progress

Solutions:

  • Check PHP memory limit (minimum 256MB)
  • Verify database connection
  • Check file permissions
  • Review error logs

Backup Stops Mid-Process

Symptoms: Progress bar stops, no completion

Solutions:

  • Increase max execution time
  • Check server resources
  • Verify disk space
  • Contact hosting provider

Backup File Corrupted

Symptoms: Can’t open file, restore fails

Solutions:

  • Recreate backup
  • Check disk integrity
  • Verify compression settings
  • Test with different compression

Performance Issues

Slow Backup Creation

Causes:

  • Large database size
  • Server resource limitations
  • Network connectivity issues
  • Database server performance

Solutions:

  • Enable performance mode
  • Choose low-traffic times
  • Optimize server settings
  • Consider PRO version features

Memory Exhaustion

Solutions:

  • Increase PHP memory limit
  • Enable performance mode
  • Close other applications
  • Contact hosting provider

Backup Verification

File Integrity Checks

  • File Size: Verify expected size
  • File Permissions: Check security settings
  • Compression: Test file extraction
  • Checksums: Verify data integrity

Database Verification

  • Structure Check: Verify table creation
  • Data Count: Confirm record counts
  • Index Verification: Check optimization
  • Constraint Testing: Verify relationships

Advanced Backup Techniques

Large Database Handling

  • Chunked Processing: Handle large tables
  • Memory Management: Optimize resource usage
  • Progress Monitoring: Track completion status
  • Error Recovery: Resume failed backups

Multisite Backups

  • Network-Wide: Backup entire network
  • Individual Sites: Site-specific backups
  • Shared Tables: Handle common data
  • User Management: Backup user accounts

Backup Security

File Protection

  • Secure Location: Outside web root
  • File Permissions: 640 (owner read/write, group read)
  • Access Control: No web access
  • Encryption: AES-256-CBC (PRO version)

Data Privacy

  • No External Access: Local storage only
  • Secure Transmission: Encrypted if needed
  • Access Logging: Track all operations
  • Audit Trail: Complete operation history

Next Steps

After Successful Backup

  1. Download to Local Storage
  2. Test Restoration Process
  3. Set Up Automated Scheduling
  4. Configure Notifications
  5. Plan Regular Maintenance

Regular Backup Schedule

  • Daily: Critical business sites
  • Weekly: Content-heavy sites
  • Monthly: Archive purposes
  • Before Updates: Always backup before changes

Ready to automate your backups? Learn about scheduling options or upgrade to PRO for advanced features.