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Author Topic: Question about backing up forums  (Read 287 times)

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Offline Mr Smith

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Question about backing up forums
« on: October 10, 2008, 06:51:59 AM »
I'm assuming I will have to download everything on my site to save my modified themes and stuff? Is there any quick way about this... what about everyones account information?

Offline Mr Smith

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Re: Question about backing up forums
« Reply #1 on: October 10, 2008, 06:54:43 AM »
I downloaded some SQL shit from the forum interface but wouldn't know what to do with it if my forum disappeared.

Offline Mr Smith

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Re: Question about backing up forums
« Reply #2 on: October 10, 2008, 07:02:35 AM »
hmm guess it doesn't matter I have my theme saved on my comp anyway. Th sql shit is all the member and post info.
« Last Edit: October 10, 2008, 07:04:06 AM by Don't fear the reaper »

Offline Mr Smith

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Re: Question about backing up forums
« Reply #3 on: October 10, 2008, 07:06:38 AM »
Is there any way that hackers could destroy my hosting account... or am I being neurotic? Do they just alter the content of the www folder?

Offline vodz

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Re: Question about backing up forums
« Reply #4 on: October 10, 2008, 08:39:52 AM »
This is an aspie forum. I suggest you seek answers on a forums forum.
This brain could do with some more dimethyltryptamine.

What is the difference between ignorance and apathy? "I don't know and I don't care."

Offline odeon

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Re: Question about backing up forums
« Reply #5 on: October 10, 2008, 04:59:59 PM »
I'm assuming I will have to download everything on my site to save my modified themes and stuff? Is there any quick way about this... what about everyones account information?

The quickest way is probably to back up the themes folders through ftp. The SMF structure is pretty straight-forward and it's easy to find anything theme-related. If you're unsure of which ones, have a look at the support site at www.simplemachines.org.
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former."

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Offline odeon

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Re: Question about backing up forums
« Reply #6 on: October 10, 2008, 05:06:27 PM »
I downloaded some SQL shit from the forum interface but wouldn't know what to do with it if my forum disappeared.

If you have a phpMyAdmin interface for the database, there will be an export tab. You need to export all of the database tables as a zipped or gzipped SQL file. Your board is small so the database dump will be a quick download.

Then, if something goes wrong, you can import that database dump from an import tab. It's easy to do, and the interface will tell you everything you need to know. Remember to back up fairly often. I do it every day because I2 has a fair number of posts every day, but I use a script to do the actual database dump.

You can also do the backups directly from the SMF Admin pages--there is a Forum Maintenance link.
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former."

- Albert Einstein

Offline odeon

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Re: Question about backing up forums
« Reply #7 on: October 10, 2008, 05:08:07 PM »
Is there any way that hackers could destroy my hosting account... or am I being neurotic? Do they just alter the content of the www folder?

You're being neurotic. Check with your host about their basic site security, and change the admin password regularly. SMF is fairly secure, and certainly better than phpBB.
"Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former."

- Albert Einstein

Offline Mr Smith

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Re: Question about backing up forums
« Reply #8 on: October 10, 2008, 06:31:43 PM »
I downloaded some SQL shit from the forum interface but wouldn't know what to do with it if my forum disappeared.

If you have a phpMyAdmin interface for the database, there will be an export tab. You need to export all of the database tables as a zipped or gzipped SQL file. Your board is small so the database dump will be a quick download.

Then, if something goes wrong, you can import that database dump from an import tab. It's easy to do, and the interface will tell you everything you need to know. Remember to back up fairly often. I do it every day because I2 has a fair number of posts every day, but I use a script to do the actual database dump.

You can also do the backups directly from the SMF Admin pages--there is a Forum Maintenance link.

Ah yes. I did an SQL dump via the forum admin interface..