Frequently Asked Questions (MySqlBF)
This FAQ section is a short version of
forum - visit it for details
Features FAQ
See features for full list of features and comparison
between Free, Standard and Professional versions. For details see
How does MySqlBF work?
in forum.
Q: Is there a tutorial on how to configure MySqlBF?
A: See the MySqlBF tutorial
Q: What can I do with MySqlBF?
A: You can run scheduled backups of MySQL databases, run
file/folder backup, zip and encrypt the backups, store them on a network or on a
FTP server (with any custom port), remove old backups and send yourself an e-mail
confirmation on Success of Failure.
Q: How do I restore backups?
A: MySQL backup file is just the text that consists of CREATE
and INSERT statements. You need to run it on your server.
Q: What can I do additionally with Advanced Settings?
A: You can run encrypt zip files
(Professional version only) , set a custom Temp folder, customize database timeout,
set custom zip compression level & more
Q: What I can NOT do with
MySqlBF?
A: We do not provide FTP storage - you have to use your own
FTP server. Database restore should be handled by yourself
Q: What is the difference between Free and other versions?
A: All alow you do unlmited number of databases to backup
using "Run Now" button. But Free is limited to 2 and Lite to 5 databases to backup on schedule. Standard is unlimited. Professional adds AES encryption and FTPS. Ultimate
is the same as Professional plus lifetime upgrages.compare features
Q: Does it run as a service? Does it need to be started?
A: The start is triggered by Windows Scheduler when the job
is scheduled to run once a day or a service in more complicated scenarios. The program
will run just fine after system restart and you do not need to be logged-in for
it to start.
Q: Does MySqlBF have a command line interface?
A: Yes. Note that command-line options are ortogonal (additional)
to the options you have in .jobx file. Consider them to be "modifiers" of options
saved in .jobx file. BTW .jobx is just an XML file - you can edit it in Notepad.
Q: Can it be used with Dropbox?
A: Yes. You should specify a path to a folder linked with
dropbox in "Local/Network folder" textbox. Also in advanced settings select output
file format to be like [DatabaseOrFolderName].zip - Dropbox will handle versioning
just fine.
Q: Can I change the default [DatabaseOrFolderName]YYYYMMDDhhmm.zip
output file format?
A: Yes. In advanced settings.
Q: Can one program run on more than one MySQL server?
A: Yes, just create a separate job for each MySQL server.
Encryption
Q: What kind of Zip file encryption supported?
A: MySqlBF provides 2 encryption methods (available in Professional
version only)
1. ZIP compatible
It supports a simple password-based symmetric encryption. Note that it provides
basic encryption only and is vulnerable to known-plaintext attacks. You can use
built-in Windows compressor to open backups encrypted using ZIP compatible encryption
method.
2. WinZip AES
AES is a strong encryption standard adopted by the U.S. government. Built-in Windows
compressor does not support AES files, so you have to use 7Zip (freeware) or WinZip
9.0 (or higher) to open backups encrypted using WinZip AES encryption method.
Also, note that backup files over 2 GB are zipped using Zip64 format.
Built-in Windows compressor does not support Zip64, so use 7Zip (freeware) or other
archiver to uncompress it. You can find more details in
this topic
License
Q: Can I get a trial version to test Amazon S3, Google
Drive or other options not available in free version?
A: Just download the free version, then in the menu select Help > Start 30 days Free Trial. All the functionality of Professional version will be available to you for 30 days.
Q: How long is my license valid?
A: The license has no expiration limit for version that you
buy. However, the Automatic e-mail service that you buy with the license is valid
for one year only.
Q: May I install the software on more than one computer?
A: No. You need a separate license for each installation.
You can install it on another computer only after uninstalling it from the first.
Q: When I enter the key I receive "This license key you have
entered is not valid for version ..."?
A:The license you buy is valid for the current version only.
It is guaranteed to work with any new version for 30 days after the purchase. After
that if you want to use the latest MySqlBF version, you can purchase an
upgrade.
Q: On Upgrade page you say: "Once you have purchased a new
key, your old key becomes invalid". What do you mean?
A: "Automatic email" service won't work and you are under
the obligation to destroy the old key and not to use it.
Q: Can I distribute MySqlBF with my own software product?
A: Yes for paid version as long as 1 license is active on 1
computer. Not without our permission for free version, though you are more
than welcome to encourage your users to download it from our site and use it.
Sending E-mails
Q: What is "Automated" e-mail settings option?
A: In paid versions on E-Mail settings form you can select
"Automatic" option. If it is selected, all of the confirmation e-mails will be sent
through a Web service on MySqlBF.com. A user would not need to set any e-mail settings
other than recipient's e-mail.
Q: Can I send e-mail confirmations through my GMail/Hotmail/Yahoo
account?
See these posts: GMail,
Hotmail, Yahoo
Q: Can I send e-mail confirmations to multiple e-mails?
A: Yes, just separate e-mails by a comma.
Troubleshooting
Q: I can not connect to my database. What is wrong?
A: First connect to MySQL using phpMyAdmin or MySQL
Workbench. Then use the same parameters for MySqlBF.
Q: I get timeout errors in phpMyAdmin
A: By default the timeout in phpMyAdmin is 30 minutes (1800
sec). To change it, open the config file (config.inc.php) and change this variable
like this: $cfg['LoginCookieValidity'] = 36000;
Q: A job runs fine with "Run Now" button, but when
scheduled, gives error "Could not find part of the path..." or "Access
to the path '[Your Network path"' is denied."?
A: You've saved your *.jobx file on a network or trying
to backup to the network location. When a scheduler tries to run a job, it runs
under Local System account that (unlike your personal account) does not have access
to the network. Just go to "Advanced settings" and set the job to run
under you own personal account.
Q: I can not connect to my FTP server.
A: Try unchecking "Use Passive FTP mode" in FTP
Settings form. Browse topics in FTP
forum for more.
Q: I get Timeout error while backing up a large database
A: Increase the database timeout in advanced settings
Q: My temp folder is too small, can I change it's location?
A: In advanced settings change the temp folder location (to
other drive)
Q: I do not receive e-mail confirmations, what's wrong?
A: By default MySqlBF uses "Automated" e-mail configuration.
Free users have 7 days to use it, paid users - 1 year. You have probably missed
our notifications about service expiration. Just set up your own mail server (or
GMail) through "E-Mail settings".
Q: Is there a log available?
A: Right on the main form there's a button "Log"
that brings up a text file with all the logs. In addition a Windows Event Log Event
is written when a job results in a failure. It can be seen in Administrative Tools
> Event Viewer > Application.
Q: "Unable to relay" error when sending e-mails?
A: You Email server settings are incorrect. The specified
SMTP server could not authenticate you as a legitimate user. See more at
http://kb.mozillazine.org/5.7.1_Unable_to_relay.