best backup restore procedure

Variations on that to bear in mind . . .

1./3. If compressed files are used, then zip and tar may both work on a particular Linux, otherwise use tar for Linux, and zip for Windows anyway.

2./6. Use phpMyAdmin's Export/Import, or use OC admin System's Backup/Restore, or use a vqmod's Backup/Restore or Export/Import, BUT USE EACH METHOD'S OWN FILE WITH ONLY THAT METHOD. The data are the same, the file syntax differs. The database will be amended as to field counts and names, but an OC_ (or similar) prefix will be added for a second, new set of tables, so let the installer see the prior database.

4./5. It may be necessary to let OC install to two new config.sys and then overwrite those with the prior ones, if it doesn't accept the prior ones.

7. It may be necessary to rerun the installer briefly on the combined database and config.sys pair.

8. Then install vqmod itself (so that installer has already worked with unmodified config.php, index.php), then install vqmod extensions, so that vqmod and its cache do not interfere with crucial steps of installation.

Thanks for the info, guys

webmix wrote:My way to backup/restore:
1. zip/backup all files
2. backup mysql-data to sql-file (adminer, phpmyadmin)
3. upload files (archive) to new server, unzip
4. clear 2 files (config.php, admin/config.php)
5. install opencart (default installation)
6. replace mysql-data (run sql-file in adminer or phpmyadmin)

Thought I'd share my experience and add some details to that. Here are the steps I use to transfer/backup/restore OpenCart (v2.0.1.1):

Preparation
1. Have a fresh copy of OpenCart. Make sure it's the same version of your installed OpenCart.
2. Extract the files somewhere. You'll just need the "install" folder and the 2 "config-dist.php" files.
3. Create folders to store your backup files: name those folders with:
-Content name, OpenCart's version, Date & time. Ex. : "database_oc2.0.1.1_2015-m03-25_6pm", "webfiles_oc2.0.1.1_2015-m03-25_6pm"

Backup
1. Copy all the website files (FTP, file manager, etc.) in the previously created folder. I only compress/zip/7zip the files for archival purposes.
2. Export the whole database with your favorite database manager (phpMyAdmin, adminer, etc.) in SQL format (.sql) and save it in the previously created folder. I haven't played yet with the backup/restore within OpenCart: if you do, make sure you name your folders accordingly, just in case. Ex. : "phpmyadmin_db_date_time" vs "opencart_db_date_time".

Restore
1. Create a new database on the new server. Can be any name. If you already have a database, still make sure to use the correct information during OpenCart's install. You'll need the database NAME and the database PREFIX (Ex. : "oc_").
2. Import your database backup file (.sql).
3. Upload all the website files on the new server.
4. Delete only 2 files (not the folder/directory!): "config.php" and "admin/config.php"
5. Upload/restore the "install" folder and the default "config-dist.php" files from the default OpenCart you extracted earlier.
6. Rename both "config-dist.php" to "config.php".
7. Go your website's address, run the installer, fill in the database info and login you wish to use.
8. Delete the install folder.

That's it!

Enjoy!
Sam

Sam_2015 wrote:

webmix wrote:My way to backup/restore:
1. zip/backup all files
2. backup mysql-data to sql-file (adminer, phpmyadmin)
3. upload files (archive) to new server, unzip
4. clear 2 files (config.php, admin/config.php)
5. install opencart (default installation)
6. replace mysql-data (run sql-file in adminer or phpmyadmin)

Thought I'd share my experience and add some details to that. Here are the steps I use to transfer/backup/restore OpenCart (v2.0.1.1):

Preparation
1. Have a fresh copy of OpenCart. Make sure it's the same version of your installed OpenCart.
2. Extract the files somewhere. You'll just need the "install" folder and the 2 "config-dist.php" files.
3. Create folders to store your backup files: name those folders with:
-Content name, OpenCart's version, Date & time. Ex. : "database_oc2.0.1.1_2015-m03-25_6pm", "webfiles_oc2.0.1.1_2015-m03-25_6pm"

Backup
1. Copy all the website files (FTP, file manager, etc.) in the previously created folder. I only compress/zip/7zip the files for archival purposes.
2. Export the whole database with your favorite database manager (phpMyAdmin, adminer, etc.) in SQL format (.sql) and save it in the previously created folder. I haven't played yet with the backup/restore within OpenCart: if you do, make sure you name your folders accordingly, just in case. Ex. : "phpmyadmin_db_date_time" vs "opencart_db_date_time".

Restore
1. Create a new database on the new server. Can be any name. If you already have a database, still make sure to use the correct information during OpenCart's install. You'll need the database NAME and the database PREFIX (Ex. : "oc_").
2. Import your database backup file (.sql).
3. Upload all the website files on the new server.
4. Delete only 2 files (not the folder/directory!): "config.php" and "admin/config.php"
5. Upload/restore the "install" folder and the default "config-dist.php" files from the default OpenCart you extracted earlier.
6. Rename both "config-dist.php" to "config.php".
7. Go your website's address, run the installer, fill in the database info and login you wish to use.
8. Delete the install folder.

That's it!

Enjoy!
Sam

Sam - Thank you for the informative note. Can you create a subdomain within exisiting hosting environment and test above methodology? e.g. test.mysite.com for instance or can there only be one instance of the d/b/webhosting files hosted.

Hello, my requirement is very similar but for a different purpose, I need the basic data for general/common use that is testing of different themes created by my group.

Example: At present in a working site(OC-1564) I have about 250 products complete along with images and description and spread over in 15 categories and sub-cats. Now my need is only to have a vanilla database/backup or whatever you call it for these 250 products along with category that's all. So that I need not have to create the whole thing again, all the rest I will do.
The requirement is just want to check out different themes my group has created and for that I need the products(data) to be uploaded. I hope I am clear in what I am saying.

So friends what all do I "backup" to just have what I have mentioned above, please guide me(250 products with complete data in all respects and 15 categories and sub-cat included that's all).

Thank you for your time.