Unit 9 · Ship it and keep it alive
How to restore a backup safely
Restore into a new database first, check it with a quick count and the latest date, and only then switch to it. Restoring straight over production can wipe the data written since the snapshot.
The mix-up
What people often think
“Restoring the latest backup straight over production is the quickest fix.”
What the tutor says
Restore into a new database first and check it. Overwriting production can destroy the data you still had.
What happens to bookings made after the snapshot?
How it works
You only know a backup works once you have restored it. Practise on a calm day, not during an incident, and read your host’s settings: many plans keep no backups, or only short ones.
Close cousins of this mix-up
The tutor watches for these in the same lesson.
“If the restore says done, the data is right.”
Check the restored copy with a quick count and the latest date before anyone relies on it.
“Having backups is enough.”
You only know a backup works when you restore it. Practise on a calm day, not during an incident.
“You can test the backup when you need it.”
That is the worst moment to learn it is broken. Practise a restore on a calm day.
“The host takes care of backups for me.”
Many plans keep no backups, or only short ones. Read the settings and restore one yourself.
Practise it with a tutor watching
Backups and cost
Restore lost data from a backup safely, and read a hosting bill to find the money being wasted.
Free with an account. The first two units need no account.