Re: [cobalt-users] Server Backup Help Request

["John Hardin" <jhardin@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi all, I'll try to be concise keep you rivited to your seats! 
lol (not likely) Bare with me...

I'm learning lots reading all your emails, however much is over
my head. Many of you "I guess" rent server space on your dedicated
cobalt servers to people for a hosting business? I'm a sole user of
my rented Raq4i. I switched from a shared server because I was hacked
once and felt a "dedicated server" would be more secure.... As I can keep
FTP and Telnet disabled, update patches myself. "be more in control and
learn server management." I was on a celeron? with webmin. But the control
panel of the Raq4i was easier to learn/manage. I know it's more limited...
I installed my own SSL cert. This alone had me smiling for days...

Now I need to learn how to backup my rented server rented from
Skynetweb.com to my home computer (Mac G3) a copy of all the files
that makeup my website. They are moving my server to FL at midnight
tonight to a new location. I want a backup of all needed files "just in
case".

Being a "newbe" I have only "some" understanding of FTP and telnet.
(meaning I can "Login". Upload/Download "some" files...I use BBedit to
make html...(I'm not even great at html), still learning this too.  I hired a
programmer to build  my Mysql database and CGI scripts to make my
fully automated  website work. The site is Lawfirm.com  "I'm not a lawyer".
I just bought the name and built it into a global lawyer directory...as I
saw a business opportunity. People use it free and lawyers pay $150 a year
via automated SSL credit card  listing form that indexes and stores there
listings. I have 36 lawyers listed so far worldwide!  I'm 43,
an excavating contract by trade (17 years) in 1999 I got my first
computer in hopes of a "career change". Lawfirm.com is "treading water"
(covering it's own hosting costs) and I owe $18k in loans creating it.

Anywho...that's some background...

I use FTP to Backup the file called "web" which contains HTML
and CGI generated web pages. There is a file called Lawfirm that
resides at /var/lib/mysql/Lawfirm  I think this stores the "listings"
and I've backed this up before via FTP.  Now I get a "Not a regular file"
when trying to FTP this file to my desktop. I'm not good at file permissions.
And I don't have a great understanding of file structure, names and uses.
(what they all do) Some come with the server's basic setup. "pre-installed".

Without learning the "music theory" of web server composing. (this will
take time). I'm trying to "skate by" learning only what I need too. So I can
run this site for now, while I learn the real guts over time. Much of what
all of you discuss is "wow". But reading it helps me familiarize with the
lingo. (some smart people on this list)

So for a basic website backup "survival" (while I learn) can anyone guess
what files are needed should I ever need to "resurrect" my site on another
server? A file called "Web" I got backed up.  But there is  Root database files
that store the Mysql database that need backup. Can I fetch this to my home
computer using Telnet? As FTP Fetch will not... I can go to su root! But then
what do I do?

If anyone has the patience, (teacher qualities) has a good understanding of
where stuff is on a Raq4i and would be so kind as to let me call them on
my dime. (in the USA) and can spare 15 min. to help a guy "get a clue" on
backup basics. I'd be so grateful. I can move mountains with on a Cat D-8,
but web development is a huge learning curve. But I love the challenge.... :)

Just need to backup files "not pre-installed"....Where they are, and the best
way to get them to my desktop. Raq4i Server management scheduled backup
is very confusing. But could be the way to go...Prefer to learn how to fetch
actual files the site uses.

Please email links/info or send number if you have a few minutes and can
tolerate guiding a semi-clueless newbe:)

Thanks
-John

John Hardin, Chester N.J.
jhardin@xxxxxxxxxxx
Pager 908 703-9711