Tech Wordpress sites backups

[Denny]

Guys, I have a network of about 80 WP sites spread over 10 different hosts. What would be the best way to backup them (files+DBs) regularly? Doing it manually is a pain.

Thanks for your advices.

[lordaRaG0n]

I'm using InfiniteWP to manage the Wordpress sites in bulk and it also has backup features.

[just a punk]

WP-DBManager WordPress Plugins

[robwod]

Denny, the easiest, most reliable way to do this is via simple automation.

1. Create a folder on your server called "backups".
2. If you have bash/shell access, create a simple text file and name it backups.sh
3. In this file, use mysqldump to dump all of your databases to sql files. Also, you can add tar commands to backup each domain's files as well.
4. Upload this file, backups.sh to your server and then set a cron job to execute this file every night.
5. Use rsync to sftp to them any server you want, or even to connect to your own home cloud drive, such as WDMyCloud or your own home ftp server.

If you do not have the ability to create a bash file, then you can do it all via a series of cronjobs, though that's a little less efficient I think.

If you don't know how to do this type of thing, just shoot me a PM and I can explain it in detail specific to your needs.

[HostedinVegas]

Another plugin that is both free and paid is UpdraftPlus, it allows you to backup to like 15 different backup/storage options, plus it allows you to send the backups several different ones for double/triple the backups.

[TheDA]

Originally Posted by HostedinVegas

Another plugin that is both free and paid is UpdraftPlus, it allows you to backup to like 15 different backup/storage options, plus it allows you to send the backups several different ones for double/triple the backups.

[hdbuilder]

Yeah me too I use WP-DBManager WordPress Plugins, it can send the backup to your email too...

[myleene]

Originally Posted by robwod

Denny, the easiest, most reliable way to do this is via simple automation.

1. Create a folder on your server called "backups".
2. If you have bash/shell access, create a simple text file and name it backups.sh
3. In this file, use mysqldump to dump all of your databases to sql files. Also, you can add tar commands to backup each domain's files as well.
4. Upload this file, backups.sh to your server and then set a cron job to execute this file every night.
5. Use rsync to sftp to them any server you want, or even to connect to your own home cloud drive, such as WDMyCloud or your own home ftp server.

If you do not have the ability to create a bash file, then you can do it all via a series of cronjobs, though that's a little less efficient I think.

If you don't know how to do this type of thing, just shoot me a PM and I can explain it in detail specific to your needs.

+1

A remote server with OpenStack is perfect for this.

That's what I have. Once setup and tested (untested backups aren't better than bricks), It's awesome.

[Denny]

Thanks guys

[avx]

Originally Posted by HostedinVegas

Another plugin that is both free and paid is UpdraftPlus, it allows you to backup to like 15 different backup/storage options, plus it allows you to send the backups several different ones for double/triple the backups.

I use UpdraftPlus too, great plugin. You can schedule backups every 4, 8, 12, daily, weekly or monthly backups. You may back up DB and files separatly + nice other features and that's only the free version.

[druid66]

Originally Posted by CyberSEO

WP-DBManager WordPress Plugins

does it backup everything, like html/php structure of the site + all posts, images on the galleries, tags, categories?
so for example i can ftp upload backup on fresh domain and have my old site with all goodies running?

[HowlingWulf]

I use an FTP program that I can script automatic backups over any number of servers and sites.

[MakeMeGrrrrowl]

Originally Posted by avx

I use UpdraftPlus too, great plugin. You can schedule backups every 4, 8, 12, daily, weekly or monthly backups. You may back up DB and files separatly + nice other features and that's only the free version.

I third this option.

[robwod]

The problem with plugins is that they create a dependency on a third party -- OFTEN by authors doing it for a hobby or for free. And then you now rely said third party author to keep their plugins current. Plugins are likely the #1 reason for problems with Wordpress sites during an upgrade, themes are probably second. Not to mention that every plugin you use -- even those not activated -- add to a server overhead and external calls (such as checking them for upgrades).

Thus, for anyone with the ability to do so, removing as much reliance on third parties to make your site work is not a bad thing. Certainly for something as simple as backups, database dumps, and rsyncs, using native command line tools like tar, mysqldump, and shell ftp, would be more efficient overall.

[just a punk]

Originally Posted by druid66

does it backup everything, like html/php structure of the site + all posts, images on the galleries, tags, categories?
so for example i can ftp upload backup on fresh domain and have my old site with all goodies running?

It backups MySQL databases only (all posts, pages and the whole site structure). It does not backup any files however (e.g. images, videos etc).

[j3rkules]

I am using WP-DBManager plugin. Works flawlessly.

[druid66]

Originally Posted by CyberSEO

It backups MySQL databases only (all posts, pages and the whole site structure). It does not backup any files however (e.g. images, videos etc).

Thanks Cyber, can you advice me how to backup whole site with images from galleries as well in maximum easy way?

[just a punk]

Originally Posted by druid66

Thanks Cyber, can you advice me how to backup whole site with images from galleries as well in maximum easy way?

I don't know about a universal solution. I do backup databases and files with separate scripts. Actually it's not a big deal to write a script which will do both things simultaneously and perhaps it already exists somewhere..

[robwod]

Originally Posted by CyberSEO

I don't know about a universal solution. I do backup databases and files with separate scripts. Actually it's not a big deal to write a script which will do both things simultaneously and perhaps it already exists somewhere..

Yes, a simple bash script. In a simple text editor, a person could enter the following and save it as backups.sh

# ##########################################################
# DUMP DATABASE(S)
# ##########################################################

mysqldump --user=root --password='whatever' --host=localhost databasename > databasename.sql

# ##########################################################
# TAR WEBSITE(S)
# ##########################################################

tar -cpf domainname.tar /path/to/domainname.com

# ##########################################################
# MOVE FILES TO BACKUP FOLDER
# ##########################################################

mv databasename.sql /path/to/backups/
mv domainnanme.tar /path/to/backups/

You could of course, dump/tar and move at one time, but this just explains it relatively easy.

All one needs to do then is to add a cron job to execute backups.sh nightly.

0 0 * * * /bin/bash /path/to/backups.sh > /dev/null

That's it, now your databases and all files for the specified domain are backed up every night at midnight. If you want to store them on a separate server, rsync will let you connect to any of your other hosts and you can transfer them in similar fashion, through a simple bash script and a cronjob.

And these command line instructions remove any dependency on a third party plugin and are included with any basic *nix server.

[rastan]

Originally Posted by HostedinVegas

Another plugin that is both free and paid is UpdraftPlus, it allows you to backup to like 15 different backup/storage options, plus it allows you to send the backups several different ones for double/triple the backups.

^^^ This. Excellent tool

[Kafka]

Originally Posted by robwod

Yes, a simple bash script. In a simple text editor, a person could enter the following and save it as backups.sh

# ##########################################################
# DUMP DATABASE(S)
# ##########################################################

mysqldump --user=root --password='whatever' --host=localhost databasename > databasename.sql

# ##########################################################
# TAR WEBSITE(S)
# ##########################################################

tar -cpf domainname.tar /path/to/domainname.com

# ##########################################################
# MOVE FILES TO BACKUP FOLDER
# ##########################################################

mv databasename.sql /path/to/backups/
mv domainnanme.tar /path/to/backups/

You could of course, dump/tar and move at one time, but this just explains it relatively easy.

All one needs to do then is to add a cron job to execute backups.sh nightly.

0 0 * * * /bin/bash /path/to/backups.sh > /dev/null

That's it, now your databases and all files for the specified domain are backed up every night at midnight. If you want to store them on a separate server, rsync will let you connect to any of your other hosts and you can transfer them in similar fashion, through a simple bash script and a cronjob.

And these command line instructions remove any dependency on a third party plugin and are included with any basic *nix server.

The user should not be root but the user who is admin of that particular database.

[robwod]

Originally Posted by Kafka

The user should not be root but the user who is admin of that particular database.

Good catch.