MySQL backup 1

[oaklanders]

We have MySQL sitting on our Web Server.
I am curious what is the best way to back up my MySQL databases?

 

[oaklanders]

The web server is a Windows 2000.

 

[vacunita]

1. You can shutdown the server instance, and copy the Data folder to a backup location.

2. Use Mysqldump to to dump the Db into a text file, that can then be fed into a clean db, to restore the Database as it was. This method has the benefit that you don't need to shutdown the instance to run it.



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Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[oaklanders]

Thanks for quick response.

So I assume when the Server admins backup the Windows 2000 server it doesnt include the instance also?

 

[vacunita]

The Server Instance just refers to the mysql server running.

Its doubtful they'd backup a service.

And unless they are including folders from the Program Files folder in the backup, its likely they aren't backing up the mysql data folder.

----------------------------------
Ignorance is not necessarily Bliss, case in point:
Unknown has caused an Unknown Error on Unknown and must be shutdown to prevent damage to Unknown.

 

[oaklanders]

Thanks!

 

[Kozusnik]

You could also consider switching to Linux and using mysqlhotcopy. It does the same as shutting down the mysql server and copying the data files out...without the shutdown.

Mark