Before performing any update or upgrade to your Ratals software, it is highly recommended that you create a full backup of both your database and your files. During updates, core files and database structures may be modified. While updates are designed to run smoothly, there is always a risk that something could go wrong due to server configuration, permissions, or unexpected interruptions.
Having a complete backup ensures that you can quickly restore your system to its previous working state if needed. In this guide, we'll walk through not only how to create backups, but also how to fully restore your system if an issue occurs.
This guide is broken into two main sections: using cPanel and using SSH. Each section includes steps for backing up and restoring both your database and files.
We'll first go over how to back up and restore your system using cPanel. Keep in mind that phpMyAdmin does have size limitations for both exporting and importing databases, which can vary depending on your server configuration. If your database is large, you may run into timeouts or file size restrictions during this process. If that happens, you'll likely need to use SSH instead, as command-line tools typically do not have the same limitations and are better suited for handling larger backups and restores.
Save this file in a secure location. This file contains all your system data and is required if you need to restore your database.
This archive contains all system files, uploads, and configurations needed to fully restore your installation.
Important: To be able to revert back, you must have completed the backup process beforehand. If you did not create a backup of your database and files, your hosting provider may have them available, but you will need to check with them directly.
This will overwrite your current database with the backed-up version. Once complete, your database will be restored to its previous state.
Once extracted, your file system will be restored to the previous version.
Next, we'll go over how to perform the same process using SSH for users who prefer command-line access.
For users who have SSH access, backing up and restoring your Ratals installation can be faster and more reliable - especially for larger databases and file sets. Unlike browser-based tools, SSH allows you to work directly on the server without common size or timeout limitations. Below, we'll walk through how to back up your database using command-line tools.
To back up your database via SSH, use the mysqldump command. Make sure to replace username and database_name with your actual database username and database name. The command:
mysqldump -u username -p database_name > backup.sqlYou will be prompted to enter your database password. This will create a file named backup.sql in your current directory.
For better organization, you may want to include a timestamp:
mysqldump -u username -p database_name > backup-$(date +%F).sqlTo back up your Ratals files, navigate to your installation directory and run:
tar -czvf ratals-backup.tar.gz /path/to/your/ratals_installation_filesThis creates a compressed archive of your entire installation.
Important: To be able to revert back, you must have completed the backup process beforehand. If you did not create a backup, your hosting provider may have one available, but you will need to check with them.
To restore your database from a backup file, run:
mysql -u username -p database_name < backup.sqlThis command will overwrite your current database with the contents of your backup file.
mv ratals ratals_oldtar -xzvf ratals-backup.tar.gzThis will restore your files to their previous state.
Creating backups before updating Ratals is one of the most important steps you can take to protect your data and ensure system stability. Whether you use cPanel or SSH, the goal is the same: always have a reliable restore point.
Taking a few minutes to back up your system can save hours of troubleshooting and prevent potential data loss. Make it a habit to back up before every update, and you'll always have a safety net in place.