How to back up your Joomla! CMS

Page 4 of 4

Test your Backups

It is possible that a Backup archive could be corrupted whilst being created or downloaded.

For this reason we recommend you:

  • unpack and review the content of a Backup archive after download (can you see files and database?), and
  • compare the size of this Backup archive with the most recent one (is it significantly different?).

You should also learn how to restore a website Backup archive using:

  • a desktop server (example: XAMPP) or
  • a separate Hosting Account online

so you can periodically check that Backup archives have not been corrupted.

 

cPanel Backup Wizard

The Backup archive created using cPanel's Backup Wizard will have the TAR.GZ extension.

+ - The Backup TAR.GZ archive close

The Backup TAR.GZ archive will look like this on your computer after download.

cpanel backup

+ - Unpack the Backup TAR.GZ archive close

Unpack the Backup TAR.GZ archive to check your website's Database and Files are included.

When you do you will be presented with a folder with the same name as the TAR.GZ archive.

cpanel backup tar

+ - Review the unpacked TAR.GZ archive close

cpanel backup tar unpacked

Database

The database should be in a folder called MYSQL.

Open the folder to view its contents.

cpanel backup tar unpacked mysql

Files

It is almost as easy to find the Files.

These should be in a folder called HOMEDIR.

In other words, Home Directory.

Open the folder to view its contents.

Files should be in a folder called PUBLIC_HTML.

cpanel backup tar unpacked homedir

 

Plesk Backup Manager

The Backup archive created using Plesk's Backup Manager will have the TAR extension.

+ - The Backup TAR archive close

The Backup TAR archive will look like this on your computer after download.

plesk backup

+ - Unpack the Backup TAR archive close

Unpack the TAR archive to check your website's Database and Files are included.

When you do you will be presented with a folder with the same name as the TAR archive.

plesk backup tar

+ - Review the content of the unpacked TAR archive close

Database

It is easy to find the database.

It should be in a folder called DATABASES.

Open the folder to view its contents.

plesk backup tar unpacked

Files

It is almost as easy to find the Files.

They should be in a TGZ file with a name that includes the words BACKUP_USER-DATA.

Unpack this file to view its contents. 

Files should be in a folder called HTTPDOCS.

plesk backup unpacked userdata unpacked

 

PERSONAL Joomla! CMS Help & Support

We coach, help and support managers with responsibility for Joomla! websites in organisations across Cheshire, Manchester, Merseyside, North West England & the UK.

Read more: WYNCHCO Joomla! CMS Help & Support.

Details