database backup in distribution?

[kermit]

http://dev.cmsmadesimple.org/projects/databasebackup

can this functionality be included in the core? easy backup & restore should be considered an essential function.. not everyone has access to phpmyadmin or a shell to make database backups; and even if they did, how many clients could actually fumble through the mysql console interface to make one? (i know i don't have any!)  :)

[kermit]

i am a bit leary of loading the existing module because it predates the most recent core versions (five stable releases since it was last updated, not counting 0.12) and their database changes. that's why i suggested something like this be built into the core, so it can be continually updated as the core and the database structures change.

and yea, definately a restore with overwrite should have several confirm dialogs before actually taking effect. and even then, perhaps a backup is made before the restore operation is done.

but beside a client being able to download their own backups (good for their own piece of mind, as well as for those who run & manage their own installs), i was thinking more of migration from a development to production server (at least that's what i'd use the function for mainly). migrations would be virtually painless with nearly everything needed stored in the database.

another thing that would be beneficial is scheduled backups.. either to a protected directory on the local server or via ftp. could be triggered by cron, or the first site visitor every x number of days.

[calguy1000]

There was talk in the irc channel yesterday of a sitemover module that will assist in moving a site from one location to another.

Myself (being the old fashioned linux geek), prefer the command line way of doing things.  To this end, I've written a bunch of scripts for backing up folders, and databases, and cleaning up after multiple backups. 

Once the backups are made (I have the backup scripts in /etc/cron.daily on my machine).  You can easily download them via ftp, or scp, or any mechanism you like.

Not putting this stuff into cmsms core, or leaving it as an addon module makes cmms "simpler" if you ask me.

But that's just my $0.02CDN worth.

[badhoy]

Not putting this stuff into cmsms core, or leaving it as an addon module makes cmms "simpler" if you ask me.

But that's just my $0.02CDN worth.

That is an good point Calguy, but if there is any intention of getting CMSMS into the mainstream then this type of capability needs to be included.  CMSMS is a fantastic CMS, is easy to install and use and will only get better.  But, it does need some non custom functionality for backups imo.

[MichaelK]

I've try to make a backup. Everything works fine but when I restore the backup it's automatically sets an Expiration Date on the date of that day you restore it. So all the news items has a Expiration Date so they don't show up anymore at your website.

I have to uncheck all the Expiration Date by all the news items before they show up again. Is there a fix for it?