Backing up and Restoring MySQL or MSSQL Databases

You can back up MySQL and MSSQL databases from the Database section of the Hosting Control Panel.

This creates and stores your backups in a folder on your hosting account, _db_backups.

Note: If you encounter an error the first time you attempt to create a backup, you should make sure the directory _db_backups exists. This directory cannot be seen using the File Manager, as files with an underscore are hidden. However, using an FTP client you can select the option to show hidden files and directories.

To Back up a MySQL or MSSQL Database

1. Log in to your Account Manager.
2. Click Web Hosting.
3. Next to the hosting account you want to use, click Manage.
4. In the Databases section of the Hosting Control Panel, click the icon for the type of database you want to backup.
5. Click the Actions next to the database you would like to back up to open its edit features.
6. Click Back Up.
7. Click OK to backup your database.

   Note: When you create a backup file using the Hosting Control Panel, our system names the file using the name of the existing database. While you cannot define a filename during the backup process, you can rename a file once the process is complete.

You can check on the status of your backup from the Database Information screen.

Note: If a database backup fails, click the option to Re-try the backup.

You can restore MySQL and MSSQL databases from the Database section of the Hosting Control Panel.

Note: If you encounter errors while restoring a MySQL database, verify that the Create Database line is removed or commented out from the database dump (backup file). Normally you can find this code about 10 to 15 lines down from the beginning. It can be removed or commented out by using a text editor of your choice (Notepad++ for example).

To Restore a MySQL or MSSQL Database

1. Log in to your HostingDude.com account.
2. Click Web Hosting.
3. Next to the hosting account you want to use, click Manage.
4. In the Databases section of the Hosting Control Panel, click the icon for the type of database you want to restore.
5. Click the Actions next to the database you would like to restore to open its edit features.
6. Click Restore.
7. Select the back up file you want to restore by clicking the radio button next to the back up file name.
8. Click Restore.

You can check on the progress of your restore from the Database Information screen.

Note: If a database backup fails, click the option to Re-try the backup.

When you back up a database, it creates a backup file in the _db_backups directory, which is located in the hosting account's root.

When you restore a database, you can only select from backup files in the _db_backups directory.

So, if you want to move the database backup from one hosting account's database to another, you have to download the backup you created in the old account (from the _db_backups directory), and then upload that file to the new account (into the _db_backups directory).

Note: These steps apply only to moving a database between two hosting accounts in our system. They might not work with backups created outside our system.

For more information about uploading and downloading files, see:

• Upload files
• Managing Your Hosting Account's Files