database back up scripts

[blackhorse]

I can give client the access to phpMyAdmin of his site for back up the database. But I only want him to use the back up database functions, nothing else. All the other activities should be through the web site's web access administration pages.

What I am thinking is I will just modify the phpMyAdmin pages, only show the client the database back up pages. It should be easy to do.

Except this approach, is there a simple, reliable, safe codes that I can use to let the client back up his database?

Thanks!

[devinemke]

just write your own script that calls mysqldump

[MarkR]

Your best bet is to use cron and invoke mysqldump.

Anything else is incredibly unreliable. I've found that on large databases in some circumstances, PHPMyAdmin silently truncates the backup files - this is clearly a problem.

Also in your regular backup scheme, you should carry out test restores on to your test server occasionally - to verify that you know how to and the process works.

Mark