Sunday, September 14, 2008

Do You Back Up Your Website-Ecommerce Site Files?

Do you have a backup of your website files? If your website goes down and the hosting company cannot bring it back up, will you be in deep trouble? While most hosting companies back up their servers regularly, it's still a good idea to back up your files. If you own an e-commerce site, you especially should back up often, since your hosting company's backup may be several days old, and you risk losing all of your more recent transactions.

I'd recommend taking it upon yourself to do the backups rather than putting all of your faith in someone else. With a proper backup, in the event of natural disaster, server trouble, disgruntled employee, or any other problem, you can have your site back up in minutes instead of waiting precious days or weeks, or worse - losing data without ever recovering it.

In order to backup your website files, you will need an FTP program (FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol). You can find a good FTP program online, usually with a free trial period, and not expensive to purchase.

As with regular computer backups, you should keep a copy off-site as well. If your site doesn't change often, then I'd back it up monthly, and then again every time you update any of your pages. If it is updated regularly, then daily or weekly updates are in order. It's also a good idea to keep multiple backups done on different dates - this way if something goes wrong with a back-up, you can revert to the next most recent backup and likely find the files you need there. Remember to check and test your backups and make sure everything is actually there!

E-commerce sites or other sites that use a database: E-commerce sites that receive orders daily should be backed up daily. Also, if you have an e-commerce or other site that uses a database, you need to back up the database as well. Ask your hosting company for the url to access the database, as well as the username and passcode. You will need to export the database. Here too, I recommend having several versions saved by date, not just one backup. If the most recent one fails for some reason, you can revert to the next most recent. I've seen firsthand how people have lost their entire website, and thousands of dollars in business, due to some natural disaster or server/computer failure. Perform a backup regularly and save yourself the grief, and your site will be back up in minutes.

Amir Watynski owns Watt Media, Inc., which helps businesses promote their services and enhance their image with Telephone On-Hold Messages & Website Design services. Enhance Your Image Blog: http://blog.watt-media.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amir_Watynski

SQL Server Snapshot - How it Works

SQL Servers have been growing in business exponentially since they were created in the 1970's. First created by IBM in San Jose, California, SQL did not become a standard computer language until the mid-1980s. Since that time, during its growth, there have been many upgrades and changes to the SQL relational database management systems, one such upgrade is the SQL server snapshot.

A SQL server snapshot is essentially what it sounds like, it is a snapshot of the system that is stored and used as a primary system. When a snapshot occurs, the information is stored in the main drive and then further information created after the snapshot occurs is stored in a new data is stored in what is called a sparse file. A snapshot creates a backup of the system at that time, and uses 90% less drive space than backing up the system does. This information is stored for as long as the user requires it, and can be dropped when no longer needed.

The purposes of a SQL server snapshot vary depending on the needs of the user. In some cases, it is used simply to back up the system without having to use so much drive space during the working day. In other situations, it is created when data is perceived as "ideal" and any new data needs to be compared to the data that was previously acquired. This information can be stored indefinitely and new snapshots can be created at any point to continue tracking specific data. When saving the user should simply take the name of the data and add a time stamp to it. This will ensure that there is no confusion when accessing the information as to what its purpose is.

When a SQL server snapshot is dropped, the new information and the previous information join to form a completely new set of information. The information from the snapshot is no longer available and cannot be referenced for projects or projections. When the decision is made to drop it, it is vital that the project manager or user understands that it will become irretrievable.

While some business may never drop a SQL server snapshot, others may find that they simply want to test their data against studies that may have been conducted or to simply experiment with different ways of looking at their data. Once the information is retrieved the SQL snapshot is dropped in favor of new testing, or they return to their regular data consumption. Companies that track long-term data may never drop a snapshot, and the SQL servers are designed to function either way.

Source: Certdatabaseadministrator dot com, Louis Zhang

Get information about database administrator jobs, description, salary, certifications for SQL, Oracle and Microsoft at http://www.certdatabaseadministrator.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Louis_Zhang

Formatted Data Recovery - What to Do When Everything is Lost

So you accidentally formatted your hard drive or storage device. Do not panic, or if you have already; please stop and read on. Whether you realize it or not, usually when you delete files on your computer, they are not removed immediately, they are merely removed from the computer's "sight" and by extension, yours. This even applies to drives that have been recently reformatted. What you need is to perform a formatted data recovery, which can be done by a number of file recovery software solutions. Below are a few you should consider.

"Recover My Files" is a Vista compatible program developed by GetData Software. The program also works for versions of Windows from Win 98 and up. Although the software is shareware and costs $60 for the full version, you can download a free trial which will allow you to easily recover your files. Naturally, if you only plan to use this as a one-time occurrence you can use the trial for formatted data recovery and not pay anything. However, if you work in IT or frequently lose data on your home computer, then the purchase price is well worth it.

Next in the list is VirtualLab Data Recovery by BinaryBiz. This program also works for all versions of Windows since 98 including Server and Vista.

Ease the Headache of Saving Files Through Differential Backup

In a lot of multimillion companies today, data is one of the most prized assets. This is definitely true to conglomerates with substantial amounts of dollars of payables and receivables. If multiple will be lost, then you can expect for everything to be duly affected. The Chief Finance Officer would not even wish to imagine how to remedy the situation since it is a complete headache. It would definitely require loads of work in order to restore the files that were missed out. To avoid such incident, differential backup is required.

The differential type of backup pertains to the backing up of all files that have been created and modified since the previous full backup. Using such has its very own advantages, like it will lessen the period of saving entries in comparison to other types. But like anything else, this method also has its share of downsides. When you store a lot of files over and over again, the memory will be full, necessitating you to delete some files in the long run. However, data is significantly important so scrap these thoughts. In such case, you will then have to buy another backup to support other entries you will create in the near future.

Putting that the company you are working with only has a few data, you can then choose to do the overnight full backup. With that, only two tapes would do. The first tape is where you will initially store the entries while the second tape will serve as an alternative, especially in times of technical malfunctions. You have to greatly consider the advice because it would be highly complex to retrieve a certain file. Once done, make sure that the two tapes are kept in a secure location to ensure that nothing will turn out to be defective.

Remember that when you are targeting a full backup, each of the data being "cooked" contains the library attribute in its settings at zero. The archive described here is a flag saved for entries that have been developed or changed. Such will tell the user that the file has to be stored. This is now where the differential type of backup is more reliable than a full backup. The said type, even if the memory will be consumed in the long run, will only keep data that have been altered from the recent performance. Once the entries are secured, the library attribute is now one.

When you are using Windows application, you have the luxury of peeping through the library attribute for any data by simply putting the cursor on the name and clicking the right portion of the mouse. A box will then pop out and proceed to "Properties" then "Advanced." With the uncomplicated steps, you cannot help but be thankful to Bill Gates by sharing his brilliance to the world.

Like what was mentioned earlier, the above is only true to companies having few data. But if you are connected to a firm with countless entries to be saved, you will come to appreciate the differential type more than the full type. This is because you will be entitled to lesser hassles in waiting for all the files to be secured.

So, if you have numerous data for keeping, settle for differential backup immediately.

If you are interested in Differential Backup, check this web-site to learn more about changed backup.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sam_Miller

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