Backup and Restore

This guide covers database and file backup procedures, automated backup setup, and restore processes to protect your Growstack CRM installation.

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Table of Contents

1. Overview
2. Database Backup
3. File Backup
4. Automated Backups
5. Restore Procedures
6. Backup Best Practices

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Overview

Why Backup?

• ✅ Protect against data loss
• ✅ Recover from errors
• ✅ Restore after updates
• ✅ Disaster recovery
• ✅ Migration support

What to Backup

Critical Data:

• Database (all tables)
• Uploaded files
• Configuration files
• Custom code
• Environment files

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Database Backup

Manual Backup Methods

Method 1: cPanel phpMyAdmin

1. Access phpMyAdmin:

   • Log in to cPanel
   • Click phpMyAdmin

2. Select Database:

   • Choose your database
   • Click database name

3. Export:

   • Click Export tab
   • Select Quick or Custom
   • Choose format: SQL
   • Click Go

4. Download:

   • File downloads
   • Save securely
   • Name with date

Method 2: Command Line (MySQL)

Using mysqldump:

mysqldump -u username -p database_name > backup_$(date +%Y%m%d).sql

With Compression:

mysqldump -u username -p database_name | gzip > backup_$(date +%Y%m%d).sql.gz

Method 3: Laravel Artisan

Backup Command:

php artisan db:backup

Or use package:

php artisan backup:run

Automated Database Backup

Cron Job Setup

Create Backup Script:

#!/bin/bash
DATE=$(date +%Y%m%d_%H%M%S)
mysqldump -u username -p'password' database_name > /backups/db_$DATE.sql
gzip /backups/db_$DATE.sql
find /backups -name "db_*.sql.gz" -mtime +7 -delete

Add to Crontab:

0 2 * * * /path/to/backup-script.sh

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File Backup

What Files to Backup

Critical Files

Configuration:

• .env file
• config/ directory
• Custom configurations

Uploaded Content:

• storage/app/public/
• Media files
• User uploads

Custom Code:

• Custom modules
• Modified templates
• Custom components

Manual File Backup

Method 1: FTP/SFTP

1. Connect via FTP:

   • Use FTP client
   • Connect to server

2. Download Files:

   • Download entire directory
   • Or selective files
   • Save locally

Method 2: Command Line (SCP)

Copy Files:

scp -r user@server:/path/to/files /local/backup/

With Compression:

tar -czf backup.tar.gz /path/to/files
scp backup.tar.gz user@server:/backup/

Method 3: cPanel File Manager

1. Access File Manager:

   • Log in to cPanel
   • Click File Manager

2. Select Files:

   • Navigate to directory
   • Select files/folders

3. Compress:

   • Right-click → Compress
   • Choose format (ZIP)
   • Download archive

Automated File Backup

Backup Script

Create Script:

#!/bin/bash
DATE=$(date +%Y%m%d_%H%M%S)
tar -czf /backups/files_$DATE.tar.gz \
  /path/to/storage \
  /path/to/config \
  /path/to/.env
find /backups -name "files_*.tar.gz" -mtime +7 -delete

Add to Crontab:

0 3 * * * /path/to/file-backup-script.sh

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Automated Backups

Backup Solutions

Option 1: Laravel Backup Package

Install:

composer require spatie/laravel-backup

Configure:

// config/backup.php
'backup' => [
    'destination' => [
        'disks' => ['local', 's3'],
    ],
],

Schedule:

// app/Console/Kernel.php
$schedule->command('backup:run')->daily();

Option 2: Server-Level Backup

cPanel Backup:

• Enable automatic backups
• Configure in cPanel
• Set retention period

VPS Backup:

• Use backup service
• Configure automated backups
• Set schedule

Backup Schedule

Recommended Schedule

Daily Backups:

• Database: Daily
• Files: Daily
• Full: Weekly

Retention:

• Daily: 7 days
• Weekly: 4 weeks
• Monthly: 12 months

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Restore Procedures

Database Restore

Method 1: phpMyAdmin

1. Access phpMyAdmin:

   • Log in to cPanel
   • Click phpMyAdmin

2. Select Database:

   • Choose database
   • Click database name

3. Import:

   • Click Import tab
   • Choose file
   • Click Go

4. Verify:

   • Check tables
   • Verify data
   • Test application

Method 2: Command Line

Restore:

mysql -u username -p database_name < backup.sql

From Compressed:

gunzip < backup.sql.gz | mysql -u username -p database_name

Method 3: Laravel Artisan

Restore:

php artisan db:restore backup.sql

File Restore

Method 1: FTP/SFTP

1. Connect:

   • Use FTP client
   • Connect to server

2. Upload Files:

   • Upload backup files
   • Overwrite existing
   • Set permissions

Method 2: Command Line

Extract Archive:

tar -xzf backup.tar.gz -C /restore/path/

Copy Files:

cp -r /backup/files/* /path/to/application/

Full Restore Process

Step-by-Step

1. Stop Application:

   • Put in maintenance mode
   • Stop services if needed

2. Restore Database:

   • Import database backup
   • Verify import

3. Restore Files:

   • Restore file backup
   • Set permissions

4. Update Configuration:

   • Update .env if needed
   • Clear cache

5. Verify:

   • Test application
   • Check functionality
   • Remove maintenance mode

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Backup Best Practices

Backup Strategy

1. Regular Backups:

   • Daily automated backups
   • Before major changes
   • Before updates

2. Multiple Locations:

   • Local storage
   • Remote storage
   • Cloud storage

3. Test Restores:

   • Test restore process
   • Verify backups work
   • Document procedures

Storage

1. Secure Storage:

   • Encrypt backups
   • Secure access
   • Off-site storage

2. Organize Backups:

   • Name with dates
   • Organize by type
   • Keep logs

3. Retention Policy:

   • Define retention
   • Automate cleanup
   • Archive important

Monitoring

1. Monitor Backups:

   • Check backup logs
   • Verify success
   • Alert on failure

2. Regular Review:

   • Review backup logs
   • Check storage space
   • Update procedures

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Troubleshooting

Backup Fails

Solutions:

1. Check disk space
2. Verify permissions
3. Check database access
4. Review error logs
5. Test manually

Restore Fails

Solutions:

1. Verify backup file
2. Check file integrity
3. Verify database access
4. Check permissions
5. Review error messages

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Related Documentation

• Installation Guide
• Troubleshooting
• Security Best Practices

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