Storing large files outside public HTML directory...

Within my store I currently have about 30 MB of sample movie files within the main store directory...

Backing up the store takes an enormous time with these added files (which never change) so I would like to move them to another location, outside of the store directory and outside the public_html directory on the server. Having them outside the public_html directory would keep them relatively secure. And not having them in my store directory will mean backing up will not take forever...

I would like to know if this is possible, and the basic steps to achieve this.

Thanks in advance!

I think you're looking at it the wrong way. Instead of moving the files, change the backup. Add the public folder to the exceptions list for your backup program. That's the least amount of work, and doesn't involve altering your store.

Alternatively, you could set up your downloads as symlinks, with the actual file sitting outside your web directory. This would involve a lot of overhead in setting up a new download, and requires a Linux server with shell access, but would also accomplish the same result (no movie backups).

Thanks for your reply...

This is a good idea but I am not sure how to implement it... Currently to backup I just use an FTP program and copy the whole store folder to my hard disk... I guess I should get some kind of specialized backup program... I am a Mac user, so if anyone has any suggestions for suitable software I would really appreciate it!

Peace,

aif you are hosted on a Linux server and have cPanel, plesk, Ensim or one of the other good control panels, there is a backup facility contained within these CP's that tar's and compresses to backup and this is performed rather quickly and might be an option that you may not have looked at and can try. I reguarly back a site with 500MB+ and this takes on the order of 3min to transfer down at my link speed. You did not mention your link type DSL, cable, T1??