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StellarHost.Com's MySQL Backup/Transfer FAQ
- How do I backup or transfer my database?
MySQL databases are not backed up like ordinary files. Even if it were possible, it would not be a good solution, as it could corrupt the database by doing so.
To back up your database, telnet to your account, then use the mysqldump command:
mysqldump -ppassword DatabaseName > db.sql
('db.sql' is the name of your backup dump file, which you can change to whatever name you choose)
That backs up the whole database in standard SQL text format. Both the structure (like CREATE table command) and data (like INSERT
command) statements, can be backed up separately, which is usefull in many cases. Check:
mysqldump --help
for all the command line options.
To restore the dump, just type:
mysql -p dbname < db.sql
Note that the structure dump won't work if tables already exist. The backup will not change or replace
the structure.
For the data dump (the INSERT commands) it will append any new data if it does not yet exist.
If you have a database that is in frequent use, such as one linked to a dynamic web interface being updated by your web site visitors, it is a good
idea to make a daily backup of the data.
To transfer a database, create the dump as described above, use ftp to upload it on the second server, and then restore it as above.
Backing up the database is not done through an ftp database directly. You first need to generate an sql dump, and then download this dump.
Use the following mysqldump command:
mysqldump -ppassword username > somefile.sql
Then use the following command to view the dump:
view somefile.sql
(exit with: q!)
To put the file back:
upload the file
edit it with a text editor, adding the below line to the top:
use databasename (which is the same as your username)
save the file and issue the command:
mysql -ppasswd < somefile.sql
All of the database will be generated, including structure. For more details, use
mysqldump --help
If you still have questions after reviewing all the appropriate FAQs please do not hesitate to contact our Sales department by filling out our customer service form.
Thank You!
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