MySQL backup function acting wonky

Hi @Leslie,

Thank you for your question! At this time, we do not recommend that users rely solely on the Specify 6 SpBackupRestore utility for performing their backups due to the issue described here:

Important: Specify Database Backups Can Fail

From this write-up, the following remedy has been recommended:

Most importantly, the server’s MariaDB environment should be configured to have the max_allowed_packet variable set to 1024MB to make sure the backup can complete properly. Once that is adjusted, please try making the backup again and let us know if you still encounter any issues!

We have also found it useful for an IT staff member to set up an automatic process (in addition to any regular request) that creates a backup via the command line on a set schedule. This ensures that a copy is accessible to you whenever needed and that it is being dumped in its entirety.

At KU, we regularly perform backups. We keep daily backups for a week, weekly backups for a month, monthly backups for a year, and yearly backups indefinitely.