Web Hosting Talk : Web Hosting Main Forums : VPS Hosting : Path For MySQL Databases?

[isi123]

Hi guys,

Just wanted to ask, which folder are the MySQL databases held in for Cpanel? Running CentOS 5 VPS.

Thanks!

[PCS-Chris]

That would be /var/lib/mysql

[isi123]

Originally Posted by PCS-Chris

That would be /var/lib/mysql

Great! Thank you sir.

One thing, the databases are in single folders, and not SQL's. IS there a way i can convert them to SQL's?

I had a corrupted backup and have to manually restore the databases.

If i can;t convert them to SQL's then how am i to restore them to Cpanel?

Thanks so much!

[PCS-Chris]

Sorry but I dont quite follow.

If you want .sql files (SQL Dumps) you need to use the mysqldump utility which will backup a database currently running on your machine.

If you have a backup of the raw .mdf files, then you need to create the database, stop the MySQL service, copy your back into the relavent directory and overwrite the existing files. Then start MySQL and hold your breath... it doesnt always work this way. It's much preferrable to use SQL dumps.

[isi123]

Originally Posted by PCS-Chris

Sorry but I dont quite follow.

If you want .sql files (SQL Dumps) you need to use the mysqldump utility which will backup a database currently running on your machine.

If you have a backup of the raw .mdf files, then you need to create the database, stop the MySQL service, copy your back into the relavent directory and overwrite the existing files. Then start MySQL and hold your breath... it doesnt always work this way. It's much preferrable to use SQL dumps.

Sorry for being unclear, but your understanding was correct. I want to change the raw mdf files to a SQL file.

I did think of the second way, but haven't tried it yet. But may try it now i have you also mentioning it. But before that, i would like to do the first idea. What sort of utility can i use to backup the raw file directory to an SQL?

Thanks!

[cscarlet]

Can you confirm if it is Microsoft SQL or MYSQL?
mdf's are as far as I am aware is what is used by Microsoft's SQL product.

[gplhost]

Originally Posted by isi123

I did think of the second way, but haven't tried it yet. But may try it now i have you also mentioning it. But before that, i would like to do the first idea. What sort of utility can i use to backup the raw file directory to an SQL?

Thanks!

I would not advise anyone to use a copy of any files in /var/lib/mysql. First, there's absolutely nothing that can guarantee that this type of file wont change, or that just copying them over will be enough, you are just betting on it. Second, it's quite known (and I experienced it) that there are issues between 32 and 64 bits version of MySQL with them. So just use mysqldump, it's a way safer.

Thomas

[NeilAgg]

Looking in the /var/lib/mysql folder for one of my databases, it has a .frm, .MYD, and .MYI file for each table.

I wonder if you could:
1. Go to a new VPS
2. Create an empty database with the name of your database
3. Create a dummy table with the same same as a table you already have, it can be simple with even one column.
4. Stop the mysqld process
5. Copy the .frm, .MYD, and .MYI files from your other VPS over the files created on it.
6. Start the mysqld process.

I would think that would work, but I would definitley test it first.

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