Docskillz

What You Will Learn:

   
• How to make backups of your database using cPanel.

Things To Know Or Do Before Starting This:

You should have a basic understanding of how your computer/laptop works and how to use it. You should not try to do this using a tablet or cell phone. It is possible that you can do it using one of those but you may not have the space on it to save your files.

You should know your cPanel login information and how to login into it. If your hosting uses a different server Control Panel other than cPanel you may not have any of the features shown here! If you are using free hosting you may not even have the option of doing backups without paying for them through your hosting or getting them to do it for you! Contact your hosting if you need help for any of those things.

This set of instructions will allow you to create database backups for any kind of website, forum, blog, CMS, and more!

Backing Up Your Database: Here's How You Do It:

1. Create a folder on your hard drive for storing the backups. Give the folder a name such as "Database". I highly suggest creating folder names that will make things easier to remember and recognize.

2.  Backing up your database. There are three way to do this:

   
• Use the "MySQL Databases" option in cPanel. Under the "Databases" title, click "MySQL Databases".
  (http://docskillz.com/docs/articleimages/backups/databases1.png)
  
  Scroll down until you see "Download A MySQL Database Backup" and click the database of your live forum.
  (http://docskillz.com/docs/articleimages/backups/currentdb1.png)
  
  It will let you download a GZip (.gz) compressed file containing your database. Save it to your chosen folder on your hard drive.
• Use the "Backup Wizard" option in cPanel. Under the "Files" title, click "Backup Wizard".
  (http://docskillz.com/docs/articleimages/backups/backupwiz.png)
  
  Under "Backup", click the "Backup" button.
  (http://docskillz.com/docs/articleimages/backups/backup2.png)
  
  Under "Select Partial Backup", click the "MySQL Databases" button.
  (http://docskillz.com/docs/articleimages/backups/partbackup2.png)
  
  Scroll down until you see the database for your live forum and click it.
  (http://docskillz.com/docs/articleimages/backups/currentdb1.png)
  
  It will let you download a GZip (.gz) compressed file containing your database. Save to your chosen folder on your hard drive.
• Using phpMyAdmin located under the "Databases" heading in cPanel. Under the "Database" title, click "phpMyAdmin".
  (http://docskillz.com/docs/articleimages/backups/phpmyadmin1.png)
  
  On the left, click the little "+" next to your account name. It will open a tree showing you the databases you have. Select the database you wish to backup then on the right click "Export" from the menu.
  (http://docskillz.com/docs/articleimages/backups/export1.png)
  
  Below this, make sure the following options are selected:
  
  Export Method: Quick
  Format: SQL
  (http://docskillz.com/docs/articleimages/backups/export2.png)

Then click the "Go" button to start the download of the .sql file. This file is basically in a text format that is formatted to be easily read be any text editor and for "Importing" (uploading a .sql file to your database).

Now, you're all set!!! Enjoy!