MySQL Backup Software for Windows and Linux

Backing up and Recovering MySQL Databases

There are two principal ways in which a MySQL database can be backed up:

• Cold backup suggests that you stop the server, ensure that all cached data is saved on the disk, and then copy binary files of MySQL to a safe place. As a general rule, this method should not be used, because server downtime usually results in lost productivity and revenues (especially if you’re running an e-commerce website).
• Hot backup is a more sophisticated approach which lets you take live (online) MySQL snapshots while the database is queried or updated. It is performed on logical level using MySQL interfaces rather than HDD files.

Handy Backup uses hot backup technology, similar to the one employed in MySQL Enterprise Backup (Oracle’s proprietary software for enterprise editions of MySQL). It works quickly and allows creating automatic backup routines for particular tables, tablespaces, and entire databases.

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Version 7.3.5, built on April 16, 2013. 22.1 MB, 32-bit (above) or 28 MB, 64-bit version
Backup Software from Novosoft LLC. 199 USD per license.

Handy Backup Small Server

To back up and restore your MySQL databases, you need to use the Small Server edition. Free 30-days trial version!

Restoration of MySQL can be used for multiple purposes:

• To recover database after a data loss event or a server failure.
• To migrate from MySQL to other databases (read about the MySQL Backup plug-in below).
• To set up replication servers (either in master-to-master, or master-to-slave configurations).
• To create a copy of a database that you can use for experiments.

To learn more, please refer to MySQL recovery.

MySQL Backup Plug-in in Handy Backup

In the past years, MySQL has become one of the most widespread Database Management Systems (DBMS) in the world. One of the reasons why it has gained its market share is its combination of performance, scalability, and ease of use in different applications. Handy Backup features a powerful MySQL Backup plug-in that acts like a MySQL client and retrieves data without interrupting the server.

Backing up MySQL with Handy Backup doesn’t require you to install any additional software. The program comes equipped with all plug-ins that can be used during the trial period free of charge. You only need to find MySQL in the list, and then click Add to select it for backup.

Selecting the MySQL Backup plug-in in Handy Backup

The MySQL Backup plug-in connects to the server and backs up database contents into a dump file. The resulting backup file contains all SQL queries required to reproduce the original database including all tables, tablespaces, stored procedures, functions, and other data.

Here are several top features of the plug-in:

Hot Backup and Recovery

The use of advanced hot backup technology lets you protect data without interrupting your web applications and website services!

Backup of Local and Networked Databases

You can back up MySQL database stored not only on your local machine, but on any remote computer on the network.

Partial and Full Backup

The featured utility can back up all database tables as a whole, or copy any selected database tables.

To learn about other things you can do to your MySQL database with Handy Backup, please see MySQL Backup Features.

Database Backup Plug-in in Handy Backup

In addition to the plug-in described above, our software also has a general Database Backup plug-in that can be used to export tables through ODBC connectivity. This plug-in lacks support for certain MySQL objects (e.g. stored routines) and requires you to install ODBC Driver for MySQL which you can download from the official MySQL website.

To learn more about this plug-in, please refer to ODBC backup.

Backup, Replication or Mirroring?

The idea of replication implies that you share database contents between multiple physical or virtual MySQL servers (nodes), in order to improve your application’s performance, security, and other critical parameters. To a certain extent, replication resembles clustering: if one node crashes, this doesn’t lead to failure of the entire website or application.

While replication is a good security measure, it is important to understand that it can’t replace backups. Since it is usually performed in real time, dropping (deleting) a database on master server will repeat the same operation on slave servers, resulting in loss of data. The same is valid for MySQL mirroring which is basically the same as master-to-master replication.

Master-to-slave MySQL replication configuration

Setting up MySQL replication requires copying master database to different servers, and then configuring these servers to act as MySQL Slaves. Here is a common scenario, where Handy Backup can be of great help:

1. Download and install Handy Backup.
2. Using the MySQL Backup plug-in, create a backup of the database you want to replicate.
3. In each backup file, change MySQL storage engine to MyISAM. Since the backups are created in a very clear and understandable form, you can do it with any text editor by changing CREATE TABLE statements in the beginning of each file.

Note: Changing MySQL storage engine is a general recommendation for any master-to-slave replication configuration. MySQL Slave servers are supposed to be read-only, and setting MyISAM as a storage engine greatly improves their performance.

4. Restore modified backup files to MySQL Slave servers.
5. For each MySQL Slave server, set a unique server-id parameter, and then use the CHANGE MASTER TO statement to set up communication with the MySQL Master server.

For more details on MySQL replication and setting up combination of replication and backup, please refer to MySQL replication.

Licensing Information

The MySQL Backup plug-in is available in two editions of Handy Backup: Small Server and Network Server.

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The setup file is common for both editions. Try free for 30 days!

Both editions are equipped with full sets of plug-ins, i.e. you can use all data sources and storage destinations that you can see in the program. The only difference is that the Small Server edition is designed to back up one computer, while the Network Server edition enables you to back up several servers at once (standard package allows installing up to five Handy Backup clients).

• If you are looking solely for a MySQL backup solution, then Handy Backup Small Server will serve you the best.
• If you want to back up multiple workstations or servers, then you need Handy Backup Network Server which allows managing backup routines for all computers on the network.

To see pricing options, please refer to the Order section.

Video Example

In the following video tutorial you can learn how to back up and restore MySQL databases with Handy Backup.

Note: Instructions in this video suggest that you already have Handy Backup installed on your computer. If you still haven’t done so, don’t hesitate to download it.

Handy Backup for Hosting Providers

We are open for cooperation with business partners from all fields of IT industry, including OEM, technological integrators, service providers, and other. Partnership details are discussed individually, in respect of each partner’s resources and expertise.

As regards MySQL backup, Handy Backup solutions are already employed by a number of web hosting providers who use it to back up client websites and databases. If you would like to join our partner network or learn more about how we can help your business, please visit the Partners section.

See also

• MySQL Backup plug-in in User Manual
• MySQL synchronization
• Free SQL software in Knowledge Base
• Comparison of MySQL and MS SQL Server in Knowledge Base
• Migrating from MySQL to Oracle in Knowledge Base