Backing up with WP-DBManager
There are many good methods for backing up your WordPress data. I like WP-DBManager because it has a few other utilities, in particular, restore. And it’s free, making it quick and easy to install on any site.
Be aware that though, WP-DBManager, does not back up your files, such as images and attachments, or your themes.
There are other solutions out there that will do both data and files, such as the excellent premium plugin, BackupBuddy, which I also highly recommend.
This post explains how to install the WP-DBManager plugin and how to verify it will work on your host and then how to backup with it and how to restore from a backup.
Installation
1) Click on “Add New” in the Plugins menu
2) Enter “dbmanager” into the search box
3) Click “Search Plugins” button
Locating the WP-DBManager plugin
1) Click install Now on the WP-DBManager plugin listing
If a verification message appears, click on Ok.
Activating WP-DBManager
1) Click on Activate Plugin
Successful Install
Checking host compatibility
1) Inthe new Database menu, click on “Backup DB”
If it passes all the checks and says “Excellent. Good to go.” then your host’s settings are compatible ith WP-DBManager.
If you get red errors here, then you will need to contact your host or look at an alternative backup plugin.
Performing the Backup
1) Change “GZIP Database Backup File?” to “Yes”. This will save heaps of disk space.
2) Click “Backup”
Upon Successful Completion
All being well, you should see a message confirming successful backup
Restoring from a backup
To restore fyour site from a backup:
1) Click on “Manage Backup DB” in the “Databse” menu
2) Select the backup to be restored.
3) Click “Restore”
Note: Restoring from backup will take your state back to the state it was in at the date and time of the chosen backup. This means any changes or additions you’ve done between then and now will be lost.
About the Warning Message
At the top of each page, you’ll see a message like this one after you’ve installed WP-DBManager. This is just letting you know that the fofler where WP-DBManager keeps its backups is accessible by anyone, and so could be downloaded by anyone. This is not a serious security risk, as the majority of what’s in your backup is the content you make publicly available.
If you want to correct his, you will need to FTP into your site and move the file called htaccess.txt from /wp-content/plugins/wp-dbmanager to the folder indicated above. Then rename the file to .htaccess
If successful, the warning message will go away. Note the dot at the beginning of the file name.
Note: This tutorial was written using the extraordinary ScreenSteps software for writing tutorials that can be published to HTML, PDF, Word, Blogs, Wikis and Content Management Systems.
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