cPanel Backup Software - Client Side

[rcohen]

I am about to release a automated software, client side solution to cPanel backups. This will be based on the X2 skin and (either manually or automatically) trigger the cPanel backup, download the GZ, and then delete the server side file. The software will be able to maintain an unlimited number of domains, and be user configurable with regards to backup interval (by days and time of day/night).

The core product is completed and the beta testing is nearly done. I would however like to ask the users here, what features they would like to see in such a product, as now it's time for the embellishing ;-) We have plans to open up the product to utilize more skins via user config, as well as a few other goodies... So please post your wish list below. Many features will have to wait for the next release, while others will be considered for immeadiate addition.

There will be a limited time discount for this product for DIS customers only upon it's release...

Thanks for your time!!

rcohen

[Jonathan]

so no free?
Eh...*drifts off*

[reviewum.com]

rcohen,

This is a great idea! Something on the desktop side would be a wonderful tool.

Here's what I'm thinking:
• Reliability: the backups must be reliable and easilly restored (this may be independent of your application).
• Work with any skin, or at least the top skins (eg: bluelagoon).
• Ability to use the global (WHM) ID & Pass for access to all accounts.
• Ability to select the option to also backup alias & filter files as well.
• Ability to backup DB's (using the Cpanel backup).
• Should work with "any" server running Cpanel.
• Connect to WHM and have check boxes of which accounts to backup and when.
• Updates: Cpanel makes changes all the time... There should be a way to have the program look for updates, or automatically update based on changes to Cpanel.

Are you thinking the price will be per Cpanel account, per WHM account, per user, or something else? Ideas on price range?

[rcohen]

Feedback...

Howdy... thanks for the positive feedback...

The software will be for cPanel, not WHM as this way it is usable by all, admins, resellers and end users. Reliability is strictly dependent on the server, as we can engage processes, but we can't control what happens AFTER that (server side). IF the GZ file is not generated it is logged as such so that you have the option of engaging it manually OR waiting until the next scheduled backup. And yes, you're correct, the restoration process is independent of the software and must be done manually via your standard cPanel process... or if you know what you're doing... via SSH... The backups are all FULL backups including everything that cPanel includes with such (DB's, Alias's etc). Yes, you may backup from ANY server, each dependent on the access details per domain. And yes, you may enter any password you wish, including your reseller / admin password.

Since this is client side software, there is no need for us to charge per domain... The retails is likely to be $49.95 and this is for unlimited domains... and unlimited upgrades. I don't believe in nickle and diming people.

The only feature that we did not yet implement is the "any skin" feature. We are currently locked to X2, but as I DO see the need to extend this, I will be working with my team to engage that feature asap.

Thanks again for your interest... I'll surely keep you updated.

rcohen

[brett]

I think you hit most of the important items, however I think rotating backups would be an important feature that I didn't see. For example, my client's mission critical data is rotated daily with tapes, however at the end of the week, perhaps a tape will be archived. So if something were to get corrupted, you're not backing corrupt data over corrupt data, and you'd always have an archive to go back to.

Please consider this one. I think I may have found a PHP script for this already, however.

Time intervals would obviously need to be customizable. So maybe weekly instead of daily, etc...

[rcohen]

Please excuse my ignorance, but I'm not certain that I understand your defination of "rotation". However, I can tell you that the backup files on the client machine are NOT erased or overwritten by the software. THAT is up to the user.

If I missed the boat here, please elaborate ;-)

Thanks.

rcohen

[brett]

Larger corporations that I know of, including standard backup procedure for many involve:

- Baking up a tape each day (Monday thru Friday = 5 tapes)
- On Friday, take that tape and file it or take it to another offsite location
- Then backup Monday's tape right over last Monday's tape
- Same for Tuesday, Wednesday, etc.
- On Friday, file the last one again.

This logic would apply well to gz files being renamed for each week and being rewritten over, possibly archiving or not removing one each week or each month.

I hope I explained it better this time. Please let me know if I didn't. I'll google ("Backup Rotation") now for another example. Here are some simliar items just reworded differently:

http://www.backupassist.com/BackupAssist/bsg2.php

http://www.amarillodatasafe.com/Backup_rotation.htm

I'll send you a bill for "Backup 101" next post. =)

[brett]

I forgot to mention:
Based on the previous post, each day the file(s) would be written over, but at the end of each week, perhaps the file goes to another location or is named otherwise (date.gz) and not written over. This way you have a self maintained backup system that would require no intervention unless needed for restoration or if you run out of drive space. =)

[reviewum.com]

The backups are all FULL backups including everything that cPanel includes with such (DB's, Alias's etc). rcohen

Has anyone verified the reliability of the Cpanel "Full Backups: Generate/Download a Full Backup"? I've heard that there have been problems with it, especially with regard to restoring DB's.

I've use the Cpanel "Home Directoryownload a home directory Backup" in conjuction with the "Download a MySQL Database Backup" and "Aliases / Filters" with pretty good success where all email addresses, accounts, forwarders, DB's, etc. etc. etc. were all restored with minimal work.

I've never restored a "Full Backups: Generate/Download a Full Backup" (which, from what I understand containes mail, DBs, Aliases, & Filters" and would like to know if people here have had success using it.

I know this is pretty independent of rcohen's script, but if his script is using this feature it would be good to know that it works in general, and that it also works here on Dathorn!

Thanks in advance!

[james]

As far as I know a user can't use cpanel to restore a full backup.

I'm pretty sure WHM with root access must be used.

Thus, its kind of useless to do full backups - i do home dirs + mysql etc.

[diver]

I'd certainly want it to run on the server via a cron job, and allow ftp to another site.

For features, how about allowing clients to log in and do their own restores if required?

[rcohen]

I'd certainly want it to run on the server via a cron job, and allow ftp to another site.

For features, how about allowing clients to log in and do their own restores if required?

Well of course.... those that wish to restore OR back up their accounts via cPanel are ALWAYS free to do so.

In the meantime, those who wish to automate the back up process, can check out BackUp Buddy, as today it is being released. The retail price of the product is $49.95, but as promised, any DIS client that wants a discount, can contact me directly at backupbuddy@town-local.net for a discounted price of $29.95 and registration details. Please use DIS CLIENT in the Subject header.

And yes, I agree... restoring those files (when needed) is a major problem from cPanel... Admin usually DOES have to chime in and assist. However, BackUp Buddy is not about restoring... It's about HAVING the backups TO restore.

Cheers...

rcohen

[samsam]

looks like a great tool rcohen.

For a 56k modem user these sort of cPanel backup downloads are always going to be a drag, given their size, so the scheduling feature is nice. I can do it overnight.

I'll check it out.

Nice mambo site too.

[rcohen]

Thanks for the words Samsam...

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me...

Cheers

rcohen