Backup MySQL Database

DrByte:

Could be that your database password (in DB_PASSWORD) contains a special character that's not translating well when the backup drops out to the command-line and passes the password parameter to do the database export. Anything in there like a $ or # or back-tick or quote/apostrophe or * or & might be problematic, depending on your server operating system.

Thanks DrByte!

That was exactly it. I removed the special characters from the database password and now it works . . . Success: The database has been saved.

I just installed this, and verified that all the files were uploaded into the correct directories. I'm not seeing 'Database Backup-MySQL' in Tools (or anywhere else). I not only refreshed Zencart, but exited and reloaded it. What else do I need to do?

HeleneWallis:

I just installed this, and verified that all the files were uploaded into the correct directories. I'm not seeing 'Database Backup-MySQL' in Tools (or anywhere else). I not only refreshed Zencart, but exited and reloaded it. What else do I need to do?
When say all files loaded to the correct directories, can you clarify what this means without giving away your secret admin directory? If all of the files were loaded to where they ought to go, then the option would appear on the admin. Unfortunately this plugin like one other I know of tends to be incorrectly installed into the catalog's directory path rather than the admin's directory path.

The instructions say: "INSTALLATION: Upload all files from the "admin" folder of this ZIP as-is to your server, retaining folder structures.

Nothing about uploading them into the admin folder. And the "admin" folder in the installation package only stipulates whether or not you're loading it into a 1.3 version or a 1.5 version. But yes, each version folder name starts with admin_zencart. I'm as literal as any other programmer, and I didn't take that to mean it was supposed to go into the YOUR_ADMIN folder.

Guess I should have figured that out, though, since it's an admin tool. I'll put the files in my admin folder.

Thanks.

And uh, yeah. The backups folder is in the admin file. Definitely should have figured that one out. Running on coffee and doughnuts right now.

And it appears to have worked.

Thanks again!

Just make sure you make a run-through and verify that the backup generated will actually restore :smile:

I used one of the zencart backup plugins for quite a while until I needed to restore and none of the backups would restore. From that day 'til present, I only make database backups via phpMyAdmin

RixStix:

Just make sure you make a run-through and verify that the backup generated will actually restore :smile:

I used one of the zencart backup plugins for quite a while until I needed to restore and none of the backups would restore. From that day 'til present, I only make database backups via phpMyAdmin

I can second that, only using phpMyAdmin these days for b'ups.

only using phpMyAdmin these days for b'ups.
Not always to be trusted either...without checking.
https://community.apachefriends.org/viewtopic.php?p=247543

I always use (locally) the latest version of phpmyadmin and for the last two versions it would not restore its own backup. The current version is fixed.

I backup with phpMyAdmin also, and download it to the server in the office.

But I have a different problem now. I wanted to do a restore, and as soon as I clicked on the file that I wanted to restore, I was taken back to the login screen, and nothing would let me back in except restarting the program. Neither my regular login nor the master login would work. I've tried it multiple times, and it doesn't appear to be possible to do a restore through this plugin. I can do it with phpMyAdmin, but not everyone coming after me is going to be able to figure that out. I need to have all the utilities available to someone who isn't able to do more than follow directions. Pretty disappointed.

HeleneWallis:

I backup with phpMyAdmin also, and download it to the server in the office.

But I have a different problem now. I wanted to do a restore, and as soon as I clicked on the file that I wanted to restore, I was taken back to the login screen, and nothing would let me back in except restarting the program. Neither my regular login nor the master login would work. I've tried it multiple times, and it doesn't appear to be possible to do a restore through this plugin. I can do it with phpMyAdmin, but not everyone coming after me is going to be able to figure that out. I need to have all the utilities available to someone who isn't able to do more than follow directions. Pretty disappointed.
That's odd. I used it for a restore last week, without those symptoms.
Does it do the same redirect when you do a backup? Or only when you attempt a restore?
Any errors logged in the /logs/ folder?

Backing up appears to work fine. But if I click on any of those backups, or if I click on restore, the program goes back to the login screen, and the login doesn't work. No errors were generated.

HeleneWallis:

Backing up appears to work fine. But if I click on any of those backups, or if I click on restore, the program goes back to the login screen, and the login doesn't work. No errors were generated.
Sounds like maybe the backup filenames (which are named after your db name) might be triggering some anti-hijack rules that your hosting company has configured in "mod_security" on your server, and thus the URLs are being rejected, and then the mangled URL means ZC can't interpret the request, so it takes you to the home page.

I am seeing the same security error. @muteyaar, did you find a fix for this? Thanks.

I made a lot of changes to this ages ago and never got round to uploading them until now:
https://github.com/torvista/Backup-MySQL-for-Zen-Cart

If you are already using the version from the Plugins with no problems, the only thing you may be interested in is the option to add a suffix to the backup filename. I find that useful prior to doing some major db import/update.

• added option to add a suffix to backup filename
• changed mysql to mysqli
• added support for gzip and zip restores in windows
• added extra tool paths to configures file to enable the same file to be used in a production and local development environment
• moved mysql tool path defines from language files to /extra_datafiles
• added automatic path detection to the paths checked
• added error checks to page registration of admin tools menu item to detect incomplete installations
• changed quote marks to single for Nix and double for Win around passwords to cope with metachars ($%<&* etc.) in passwords
• added debug info option tickbox (at foot of file)
• changed to html5, removed obsolete formatting tags
• tested with php 7

The functionality this plugin offers should really be in the core. It is indispensable for repeat testing of code that modifies a database and anything that makes testing easier has to be a good thing.

Please don't tell people to automatically use 777 permissions--for anything on a server/hosting account. That is just wrong for all kinds of reasons.

FTP programs automatically use correct permissions as defined by the server. I would suggest you tell people to use 755 permissions and if there is problem, to first look at their error logs and determine the problem. If it is a file permission only then to try 777 permissions.

Please don't tell people to automatically use 777 permission
Agreed...that was blindly copied from the original readme.:blink:

Website Rob:

Please don't tell people to automatically use 777 permissions--for anything on a server/hosting account. That is just wrong for all kinds of reasons.

FTP programs automatically use correct permissions as defined by the server. I would suggest you tell people to use 755 permissions and if there is problem, to first look at their error logs and determine the problem. If it is a file permission only then to try 777 permissions.
And even then, file permissions may need 644.

My first install years back and it included other non-ZC pages, I tried 777 for folders and files. At that point, host had to go back and reset everything. Max they allowed: folders: 755, files: 644...

That is true. I forgot I needed to specific.

So for those in doubt, default settings for properly secured Linux server are:

755 dir.
644 file

I cannot speak for Windows servers as I don't use them.

As mentioned though, FTP programs usually use the default setting of the server (regardless of OS) and that is best to start with. So don't change dir. or file permissions unless you have to!

Hi,

Lately I'm getting the following warning when doing backups:

Warning: Using a password on the command line interface can be insecure.

Zen Cart v.1.5.4
PHP Version: 5.6.30
Database: MySQL 5.6.35

Is there a way to solve this?

Not at the present time.

I installed BACKUP_MYSQL Admin Tool Designed for: Zen Cart v1.3.x and 1.5.x series on my 1.5.5. Zen Cart.

Everything appears is working fine.

But I have 2 questions:

1. Admin->Tool menu shows sub menu "DataBase BACKUP_MYSQL" 2 times:

[Attachment no longer available]

2. When I use both options **No Compression (Pure SQL) ** and Use GZIP generating backup is compressed in both cases.

Is this issue of installation of web hosting server software?

Any suggestions are appreciated.