Backing Up Your Data¶
Overview¶
For the every day use of your system, Mythradon is performing regular backups. Any necessary database restoration due to the unfortunate event of a system failure is automatically performed by Mythradon technical support team. However, for some Mythradon customers it is still important to have their own routine data backup strategy as part of the overall data management and data security model.
Note: If you need to restore your complete database please contact Mythradon Support. This is not a feature available to end users or system administrators.
It is important to understand the differences between data types (data, metadata and templates) and what is included in each backup method:
- Data refers to all of your records, including Accounts, Contacts, Leads, Opportunities, Cases and other records. Data also includes your custom entity records and files.
- Metadata refers to all of your configuration settings, such as custom fields, page layouts, dashboards, email and PDF templates.
- Templates refers to system email templates such as those sent to user when they need a password reset.
Even with the best of intentions and planning, there are often situations where Users have either deleted large amounts of data or have modified records, only to later realize that a mistake was made. Using tools such as the Mythradon Data Import Wizard a simple mistake in your source data or field mapping could spell disaster for your data. It is recommended that you keep a regular backup of your data and do a manual point-in-time backup before you proceed with any major data project.
Just as it is easy for Users to accidently delete records or modify records, it is also easy for Administrators or Developers to make changes to your configuration settings, such as adding or deleting custom fields, modifying page layouts, deleting or changing email and PDF templates. As many of these changes are not easily reversible, it is important to have a copy of your metadata to fall back on in the event that you need to restore to prior settings.
Mythradon provides tools such as the Mythradon Data Import Wizard and the Mythradon API as a method for customers to manually restore their data. It is important to note the order in which data is restored, so that relationships and the connections to related records can be preserved. Customers can also choose to engage Mythradon Services or a partner to assist them in the restoration of their data, provided they have a copy of that data available.
To help customers routinely back up their data, Mythradon offers the following options at no additional cost to customers:
- Data Backup/Restore Service
- Data Exporter
- Mythradon API
The following explains each of the above options in more detail.
Data Backup/Restore Service¶
The Data Backup/Restore Service can be used to both backup and restore various types of data. This service can perform three separate types of backups and two types of restores.
Backup Types
- Database Backup - Creates a complete database backup as a Zip file containing a database schema SQL file and CSV files for each table.
- Metadata Backup - Creates a backup of your systems metadata configuration. Designed for migrating configurations from one environment to another.
- Template Backup - Creates a backup of your system email templates. Designed for migrating configurations from one environment to another.
Restore Types
- Metadata Backup - Completely overwrites your current systems metadata configuration with the contents of the backup file being restored.
- Template Backup - Updates your current system email templates with the contents of the backup file being restored.
Database Backup¶
The Data Backup/Restore Service can be used to backup your complete database. Each table will be provided as a separate Comma Separated Value (CSV) file. A database create statement (SQL) file is also provided. This will all be packaged into a single compressed ZIP file.
The following image shows an example of the contents of a Mythradon Database Backup Zip File.
The createTables.sql
file is a MySQL compatible file that you can use to build a complete copy of your Mythradon database.
Create Database Backup¶
To create a database backup:
- Select the
Backup/Restore
page tab - Click the
Create Backup/Restore
button - Select
Backup
as the Backup/Restore Type - Enter an optional description
- Select
Database
as the Backup Type - Click the
Save
button
The backup process runs as a scheduled background job. It is configured to run every half an hour, so you may have to wait at maximum, 30 minutes before your backup job will start. It will only run once. Each time you need to perform another backup you need to create another backup request.
When the backup is completed you will be able to download the Zip file from the backup record. Note that you may need to refresh the record to access the download link.
Metadata Backup¶
The Data Backup/Restore Service can be used to backup your system configuration metadata. Unlike the Database Backup above, the Metadata Backup runs immediately.
The Metadata Backup file contains all the configuration information of your system. Such as custom entities, fields, relationships and page layouts.
The purpose of the Metadata Backup is to provide a mechanism for migrating system configuration changes from one environment to another. i.e., Development->Test->Production
Note: The Metadata Backup file is not designed to be manually modified using an external editor.
Template Backup¶
The Data Backup/Restore Service can be used to backup your system templates. Unlike the Database Backup above, the Template Backup runs immediately.
System templates include email templates created in the Template Manager.
Like the Metadata Backup, the purpose of the Template Backup is to provide a mechanism for migrating system template changes from one environment to another. i.e.) Development->Test->Production
Data Exporter¶
Backup
Metadata and Template backups run immediately. Database backups run every 30 minutes.
Metadata and Template backup files are encrypted. These are designed for migrating data from one environment Migration and restoration
Metadata is destructive when restored. It is a complete replacement of metadata.
Template restore will replace any existing templates. It is a merge.
Mythradon API¶
The Mythradon API is a JSON Rest based API that can be used for both exporting and importing Mythradon data. The API has access to both standard and custom entities. The data access is controlled via Roles
Restoring Your Data¶
The Restore Service can be used to restore various types of data. This service can perform two types of restores.
Metadata Restore¶
To restore metadata:
- Select the
Backup/Restore
page tab - Click the
Create Backup/Restore
button - Select
Restore
as the Backup/Restore Type - Enter an optional description
- Select
Metadata
as the Import Type - Attach your backup file in
Import File
- Click the
Save
button
Note: Metadata restore will completely overwrite your current systems metadata configuration with the contents of the backup file being restored.
Template Restore¶
To restore template:
- Select the
Backup/Restore
page tab - Click the
Create Backup/Restore
button - Select
Restore
as the Backup/Restore Type - Enter an optional description
- Select
Templates
as the Import Type - Attach your backup file in
Import File
- Click the
Save
button
Note: Templates restore will update your current system templates with the contents of the backup file being restored.
See also¶
- Mythradon Basics
- Mythradon Marketing
- Mythradon Sales
- Mythradon Service
- Mythradon System Administration
- Mythradon Tools