I have a site which will be between 20-100 GB at any given time and I would like a service which will automatically backup my server and any changes I make. I need it to be a service which will reinstall all data if it is lost. Any ideas? I know there are services like mozy, etc., but I dont' know if they will work for what I am doing. The server is linux with mysql databases, etc. Any ideas guys? I would love to keep the costs down to mozy levels, but I dont' know what the going rate for this is....
What you should do is do what I do...set a chron job and back-up your sites automatically via FTP to a shared host. I use NetFirms. Use the coupon code "MAX20" for their advantage hosting plan for $20/year...and you get 2 free domains. Good luck. P.S. You can do the chron job/back-up automatically in your control panel. What control panel do you use?
WHM... Intersted in doing this for a fee? I'll sign up with your affiliate link to the best host for the job. I don't know anything about chron jobs. Also, will this backup the entire site automatically or just the changes. I dont' want my bandwidth eaten up by backing up the same files over and over--files that never change.
This look interesting can you please guide us step by step how to setup a cron for this. I am using cpanel as well. it would be helpful. Thanks in advance.
If you are using WHM with full root access (typically you will have root access only on a dedicated server and not a reseller or shared hosting plan) then there is an option in WHM to schedule automatic backups of files and databases automatically). However, if you have WHM that does not have root access then this option is not available. You will have to schedule a cron job through cPanel to back up each cPanel account individually. (There are also some scripts floating around online that will let you input all of your cPanel user names and passwords and then let you backup all of your cPanel account from one location but I have not tried this). What I would do is purchase a cheap shared hosting plan from HostGator and then have a script schedule an automatic cron job to ftp all of the different cPanel files and database info to the shared HostGator hosting plan (or maybe even have the cron send the files in zip format to a free Gmail account if you have to).
I never thought about that it's a good idea, save a ton of money cause those backup services usually cost a ton of money.
I haven't used cPanel in years. I use DirectAdmin. But setting chron jobs for back-ups should be a feature within managing back-ups in your control panel. Take a look around and see if you can schedule back-ups via FTP. And backing up via FTP doesn't eat bandwidth at all, and it's very fast too, because it's server-to-server (and servers are are on ridiculously fast 100mbps+ connections ).
Since your site uses a database, and it's fairly large, you may want to set up an incremental backup to S3 or a similar service. It's still a lot of data if it's around 100 gigs, but making the changes to the backup in increments means that you won't use as much transfer.
I'd highly suggest server administrators use DirectAdmin over cPanel, just because it's easier to use, has a better and faster interface, and makes server administration a breeze. Also, chron jobs are set with a click of a mouse via a check box in the back-ups section.
Noticed no one asked what kind of data you wanted backed up. Whether you had databases, shell access, or what kind of hosting you are using. Talk first with your hosting provider, some don't change to move files around their network (which you could run your incremental backup to another similar box.) If you want to hire someone to do this, then PM me. With more than a decade of sysadmin experience, I would go over the situation with you on the phone, find out what resources you have, then provide a solution that could be automated. Best, Justin