Using Backup and Restore
The Backup and Restore tool that ships with Specify as a separate application allows IT personnel to backup and restore the database to the MySQL location on a server, or local disk. SpBackupRestore is located in the Specify application directory, in the bin subdirectory, which stores the executable files for Specify. Double click BackupAndRestore to launch the tool. Users are required to login using their IT (MySQL) Username and Password.
Backups can also be created in Specify > Preferences > MySQL on the Mac, or Edit > Preferences > MySQL on Windows, but the Restore function is only possible in the Backup and Restore tool.
Using Backup and Restore
First, set MySQL information for the backup and restore function. These paths should only be edited by the MySQL administrator, or a designated person with the necessary privileges in Specify and MySQL.
|
MySQL Preference |
Result |
Action |
|
mysqldump |
Points Specify to the needed mysqldump (mysqldump.exe on Windows) file for backup purposes. This path will point to a server when accessing Specify from a server, and be local when Specify is run locally. Note: A typical storage place on a pc computer is on your Local Disk C:\Program Files\MySQL\MySQL Server 5.1\bin. A typical storage place on a Macintosh is in Users > {Username} > Downloads > MySQL. |
Click on the browse button and find the path to the command-line tools for MySQL. |
|
mysql |
Points Specify to the needed mysql (mysql.exe on Windows) file for backup purposes.This path will point to a server when accessing Specify from a server, and be local when Specify is run locally. | Click on the browse button and find the path to the command-line tools for MySQL. |
|
Backup Location |
Specify will write the backup file in the chosen location. | Click on the browse button and choose a path for backup file(s). |
|
Backup (button) |
The entire database will be backed up to the specified location. | Click the Backup button. |
|
Restore (button) |
The entire database will be restored to the specified location. | Click the Restore button. |
The Backup and Restore functions are NOT limited to single collections, but backup and restore the entire database. This is vital to understand when setting up an institutional backup and restore strategy.
Collections that maintain separate databases in MySQL, within an institution, will create collection-specific backups. This type of arrangement will restore the specific, single collection database only.
Note: Attachments are not stored in the database (only the path to the attachment storage is stored in the database) and will not be included in the Specify backup.