Where'd my backup go?

Yes, everyone knows it is important to back up your files. But this week I ran into two events that made something else clear. You need to know exactly what is backed up and how to restore files from your backup. One event was personal the other from a client.

I had been backing up my files manually to USB jump drives, but recently won a Maxtor BlackArmor drive at a chamber of commerce networking event. I installed backup software and set it to back up files from a couple of directories on the PC. A week later I decided to check out the backup log to see how many files were backed up and how much time a typical backup was taking. When I read the log file I saw that several file types where not be backed up (mostly Visual Studio's project/solution files). The software was treating them as system files. That was not good, I need those files. After peaking around in the backup softwares settings I found a screen to set the backup so it would backup all file types. Now everything is being backed up.

The second event occurred when a design agency called me asking if I had a backup of an e-comm web site I worked on last year. It turns out that the host computer crashed and there was no backup. This wasn't a big deal as I always keep backups of old jobs. The big problem was the database. The SQL database was never backed up, so all the information was lost. Also some of the stored procedures had been updated. They are scrambling to recreate functionality and reload data. Not to mention all the client account information that was lost when the server / database crashed.

Lessons Learned:
It seems rather obvious, BACKUP YOUR DATA. That means both the site code and the database. If the information in your database changes regularly make sure it is scheduled for automatic backups.

Make sure you know what is being backed up, don't assume you know what is backed up. Know how to restore files and data.

I would also add that with so many sites using dynamic content from a database, you don't want the database and web site to be on the same server. Many cheap/discount plans offer SQL Express, MySQL or other DB solutions where the database resides on the same computer as the web site. Aside from the security risks, I would avoid this situation when ever possible.

Double check with your web site's host to confirm that the database is being backed up.