Frequently Asked Questions

How to Backup Database through SSH Tunneling

Dropmysite users can also backup their database by using SSH Tunneling on a shared hosting account. Please note that this option is only available for MySQL Databases at the moment.

1. Login to your Dropmysite Dashboard
2. Click on Add Database

Note (copy) our external IP on this page. You have to update your firewall settings



Whitelist our backup IP to access your SSH Port (22) and MySQL Port (3306) of your database server. If you own a shared hosting service, please contact your service provider.





For cPanel users

• Go to database -> Remote MySQL




• Add the copied IP to the field “Host (% wildcard is allowed):”
• Click on Add Host





For parallels Plesk user

• Go to home -> tools and settings -> IP Addresses
• Check the box “Switch on the rule”
• Give the rule a name say Dropmysite Database
• Add the copied external IP to the field “Allow connections to the following port”
• Check TCP Protocol
• Click OK





Now you are ready to add your database to backup using Tunnel over SSH. Below are the steps to do so.





3. Select MySQL as database type
4. Select Tunnel over SSH




5. Customers need to ensure that SSH connection is enabled for them. You can do it directly from cPanel if you have access to one. Else you can send an email to your hosting provider asking them to enable SSH access for you. Please make sure you ask them about the SSH Username, SSH Password and SSH port number from then in the email.
6. Enter Credentials for your database: You will need to collect the following information to add your database through SSH tunneling.
1. Database Host name / IP Address: This is the hostname of the database that you wish to backup.
2. Database Name: This is the Database name to be backed up.
3. MySQL Username and password: This is the username of the database user for the database to be backed up. Please ensure that this user has read, write and execute access to your database. If there is no such user please create the user and then input it here.
4. MySQL Port (usually 3306): The default port is 3306 / 5432 / 27017. Enter the host name, username and password for your database server.
5. SSH Port (usually 22): This is typically 22 for most hosting companies unless the hosting company says so. In case you don’t know this please ask your hosting provider.
6. SSH Hostname: SSH Port: SSH Username: This is typically the cPanel Username. If you don’t have cPanel then this is the username of the SSH User.
7. SSH Password (Only for Password Authentication. Not required for Public Key Authentication): This is typically the cPanel Password unless your hosting company says so. If you don’t have cPanel then this is the password of the SSH User.
• If you know this password click Password Authentication and enter the password and click next.




• If you don’t know the password please click on “Public key authentication” and download the Public Key by clicking on the Download SSH Public Key.




• Clicking this link will download the public_key.txt. Open the file using a normal text editor and copy the entire content.
• You need to import this key to your SSH Access. If you are using cpanel please find below the process to do so
• Log-in to your cpanel in a new tab
• Look for a module called SSH Access and open it







• Click in Import Keys







• Click on Import
• Now you need to authorize this key. Click on SSH access again on your cpanel. Click on Manage SSH Keys.
• You will see a key has been created here with the details you put above. Click on Manage




• Click Authorize




• Go to your Dropmysite Add Database Page and click Next





Once your connection has been tested, you will be asked to schedule your backup

Set a name for your profile and confirm your settings and then click on “Save” and your database will be scheduled for backup





7. Select the frequency of the backup such as once a day or once a week.
8. Then select the time when you want to schedule your backup and your time zone.
9. Then click on “Next” to confirm your backup schedule.
10. Set a name for your profile and confirm your settings and then click on “Save” and your database will be scheduled for backup.