developing a stress-free backup plan

[Diggz]

What's the best method for keeping backups for the sites on your vps? I'm aware of the backup in my virtuozzo panel, but would feel safe if I had a better backup plan, such as one to an offsite server. I'm fairly new to VPS's (used to having reseller accounts) so this is one thing that I'd like to set in place now and although I'm pretty consistent with it, the method I'm used to doing (downloading backups via cpanel and storing to dvd) is very tedious and time consuming.

One of the sites I run uses a large amount of space so downloading a full backup takes quite some time. I've heard of incremental backups, but am new to them so I don't know much about how it works. I've also read a few threads about Jaguar offering backup plans, but am not sure exactly how it works out.

I'm looking for any suggestions/tutorials/help on implementing a solid backup plan that will put me at ease (well almost at ease) when ____ happens.

Thanks

[jason]

JPC does offer backup plans. Basically they give you a massive amount of space on a server that only supports ftp, limited SSH, SCP, and rsync (in other words, you can only use it for file storage, there is no web server, etc.). Here's the backup services page on their site.

The easiest way to handle backups is to use rsync on a cron job. That way, every day at a specified time (or as often as you feel it necessary) the backup would start automatically. Rsync is designed to remote synchronize a filesystem. The service is designed to copy only things that have changed, so it is perfect for large backups.

If you buy backup services from JPC then they'll also provide you with example scripts to help you get going.

--Jason

[Diggz]

Are the backup servers located in a different datacenter than the ones that house the VPS's?

[JPC-Les]

Are the backup servers located in a different datacenter than the ones that house the VPS's?

We do have backup nodes in both faclities however at this time we do not guarantee that your backups will be in the seperate facility. Right now the main advantage is your backups are stored on a seperate machine. Like Jason said, the service is for file storage only and if your main machine goes down your site will not be served from the backup node.

[PetRSQ]

While we're on the subject of backups...

The VPS plans all say "FREE Daily backups" does that mean they are being backed up independently from anything I may or may not be doing?

I need to get something going along these lines other than the way I have been performing backups, it is becoming tedious, but knowing that there are other backups besides my own would make me feel better...

[jason]

JPC backs up all of their servers so that they can be restored after a server failure. These backups are intended for JPC purposes only. You may be charged a research fee if you need for them to retrieve files from the backups for you.

Your best bet is to not rely on JPC for backups. However, they are there if you ever get yourself into a serious rut.

--Jason

[AWD_ENVY]

JPC backs up all of their servers so that they can be restored after a server failure. These backups are intended for JPC purposes only. You may be charged a research fee if you need for them to retrieve files from the backups for you.

Your best bet is to not rely on JPC for backups. However, they are there if you ever get yourself into a serious rut.

--Jason

Dont trust him... I'm currently having a SERIOUS issue with JPC support and there compatince that has proven the MAJOR pitfalls in their backup system.

If your on JPC, backup your own data.

[jason]

If your on JPC, backup your own data.

Isn't that what I said?

Fact of the matter is, no matter where you host, you should always make your own backups. No host that I have ever seen will guarantee your data for you--it just doesn't make business sense to do so.

--Jason

[lloyd_borrett]

G'day,

I've finally been able to get mySQLdumper working on my JaguarPC based web sites, so I now have a way to properly automate and manage MySQL database backups. See Setting up mySQLdumper of a JaguarPC Server.

Does anyone know of a similar solution for handling incremental backups of a sites directory structure and files?

Best Regards, Lloyd Borrett.