Backups are very important part of any Web Hosting Company's Business. With respect to Database backups, especially MySQL, there are two techniques that can be used to take MySQL backups

1. File Level Backups - Under this mode all the relevant DB files are copied to the back up location. Only problem with this mode is data-inconsistency. If data in a file changes while its being transferred, there is a possibility that changes would not be transferred, leading to data-inconsistency. W.r.t. MYISAM tables, data in-consistency though undesirable, would not lead major functionality issues, but w.r.t. INNODB engine tables, an in-consistent backup in certain situations can lead to functionality issues or even data-loss. If we wish to handle file level backups in consistent and usable state, we would need to perform a cold backup i.e. shutdown MySQL Server, taken file level backups, and then restart it. Of-course it impractical solution for production servers which need to run 24x7.
2. Hot Backup - It refers to a backup procedure which provides us a consistent and usable backup on a running MySQL Server. As we are using MySQL Community Edition's 5.5 server, we employ the mysqldump command to make a consistent backup. Run with certain switches it provides a consistent and usable backup for both MYISAM and INNODB engine tables. To this effect @ Pack Web Hosting, we are now offering our Linux Hosting Customer's an opportunity whereby then can send us the DB name for which they want the backup to be taken on weekly basis. The backup file will be stored in users home directory in bz2 archive format. Please call 0172-4648208 to learn more about this option

We hope our patrons and clients make best use of this opportunity.

Thanks

Kirti Singh