Q: How do I backup my LTK installation?

If your server does not have regularly scheduled backups, or if you are unfamiliar with how to restore data from your server backups, you should occasionally backup your LTK installation and data manually. Here are the steps involved in manually backing up your installation.

Step 1 - Setting up the Archive:
  • Make a new folder on your desktop called "ltk_archive"
Step 2 - Archiving the Database:
  • Log into PhpMyAdmin with your mysql username and password
  • PhpMyAdmin may be accessed from: http://yourserver.com/ltk/phpmyadmin
  • Select the 'epearl' database
  • Click the 'Export' tab
  • If you see radio buttons on the right hand side, choose "Structure and Data"
  • If you see check boxes, check "Structure" and then check "Data"
  • Click 'Select All' (all table names should be highlighted)
  • If you see "SQL Compatibility Mode" select "MYSQL323"
  • Under the "Data" section check "complete inserts" and "extended inserts"
  • Under "Maximal length of created query" enter the number "1000"
  • Check "Save as file"
  • Check "gzipped"
  • Click "GO" (This may take several minutes)
  • You will be asked to download a file called "epearl.sql.gz", 
  • Save the file in the ltk_archive folder on your desktop
Step 3 - Archiving Files:
NOTE: The 'epearl_files' folder is located one directory below the web root
  • Find the folder called 'epearl_files'
  • Copy this folder into the archive folder on your desktop
  • This will take several minutes. 
  • Be careful to copy it and not to move it!
Step 4 - Archiving the LTK Application:
  • Find the folder which is the root of the LTK.
  • By default, it is called 'ltk' and it is usually inside the web root folder.
  • Copy this folder and paste it into the archive folder
  • Be careful to copy it and not to move it!
Step 5 - Date-stamping the Archive
  • Make sure the ltk_archive contains 3 items:
  1. The exported database file,
  2. The epearl_files folder, 
  3. The LTK code folder
  • Add the current date to the beginning of the folder name using this format "YYYY MM DD".
  • Your folder should now be named something like "2011 07 12 ltk_archive"
  • If you wish, compress the archive - note that may take a long time.