UBB.threads PHP Forum Software Community Forums UBB.classic UBB.classic 6 Support How to Back up Properly

I'm running 6.7.1.

I'd like to create an entire back-up of my board.

I'm not switching to a new host, so I don't have a need to move these files to a new server.

I'm concerned about being able to revert to the back-up, should I ever need to. In that case, is it best to:
1. Download all of my UBB files to my local machine
2. Create copies of all my files right on my server via FTP software (CuteFTP). If so, I'm not exactly sure how to do that.

Proper back-up tips are appreciated.

The best guide to backing up your UBB is https://www.ubbcentral.com/support/docs/ubbclassic/UBB6_backup_transfer.html

Just follow the directions in Part 2.

Thanks.

I read through the instructions.

I'd make by back-up via FTP.

There is no mention if it matters if my board should be turned off when saving the files.

Will it effect my live board while I'm downloading files?

I assume the only thing that will happen is that my back-up copy will not include any new posts/member data that was updated during/afer the back-up?

I've backed up my board without shutting down. On a busy board you risk having out of sync data (such as a member's post w/o their member file)

Thanks.

Myself I close my board, clear my cache, run a backup through "tar" then once completed I open my forum...

Man, downloading files for my board via FTP takes a loooong time, like many hours.

I'll have to learn the "tar" method.

tar is a command that one can issue through "ssh" or "telnet"; think of it as an archive (or zip) creator...

My total back-up files are 557MB.

It took many hours to FTP the files down to my local computer via a fast cable connection.

Does 557MB seem very large?

My forum has 6,800 members and 50 forums.

I'd estimate mabye 1.5m posts.

Also, my members are very active PM'ers.

Just curious how large others' back-up files have been.

I donno how large mine is offhand, but i know that over all of my sites i have about 4gigs and my main forum is the largest.

When I make my backup through TAR I archive and compress the archive, so vs downloading a ton of files at a size of a gig, i archive them and compress and download a 100mb file lol...