Backup Tool

Use Open Dental's built-in tool to back up or restore data.

In the Manage Module, click Backup.

The Backup Tool is split up into three tabs:

Also see:

This tool can back up the following data:

Note:
  • The Backup tab is unavailable for Open Dental Cloud Users.
  • For InnoDB databases, this tool can only be used for backups. Restores cannot be done using this tool.

This tool does not encrypt data, so consider an encrypted device or encryption software to ensure data is protected while in storage. See Encryption of Data at Rest and in Transit. To use the backup tool, users must have the security permission Backup.

Options

Exclude image folder from backup or restore: By default, the A to Z Folder is included in the backup or restore. To omit the A to Z folders from the backup or restore, check this box.

Save Defaults: Click to save the entered paths as the defaults.

Managed Backups: Unison BDR (Central Data Storage) is a preferred online backup service. Click the button to see more information. To remove this button, disable the Central Data Storage CDS Bridge, then check Hide Unused Button.

Backup

Backups should be run from the server that hosts the MySQL database. Running the tool from a workstation will likely result in an error, or the incorrect data being copied.

To back up data, first connect to the server, then insert the backup device (e.g., USB encrypted flash drive).

If the tool fails, try again by running Open Dental as an Administrator.

Backup database FROM this folder: Verify the database path to back up. It should contain the currently connected database. Typically it is C:\mysql\data\. Click Browse to select a different path. Only the connected database is backed up. Other databases in the path are ignored.

Backup TO this folder: Verify the drive or folder to back up the data to. For example, D:\. Do not back up to the same folder where the live database is located. We recommend utilizing a network path to another workstation or server in the office. Click Browse to select a different drive.

Click Backup. A progress bar is displayed while the backup completes. This window closes once the backup is complete.

If the image folder is also being backed up, this process begins automatically once the database backup is complete. A new progress bar is displayed for the image folder backup. A message is shown once all backups are complete.

Restore

Backups should be tested regularly to ensure they restore correctly. It is recommended to test backups by restoring them to a workstation not connected to the office network. The name of the database being restored must match the name of the database being used to run the restore tool.

Restore FROM this folder: Enter the path the backup is currently stored. For example, if the backup is on a flashdrive, it might be D:\. Click Browse to select a different path.

Restore database TO this folder: Enter the path to place the backup. Typically it is C:\mysql\data\. Click Browse to select a different path.

Restore A-Z images to this folder: If the A-Z folder was backed up, enter the path to restore it to. Click Browse to select a different path.

Restore: Click to restore the database. See below for detailed instructions.

Before beginning a restore:

To restore a database:

  1. On the restore computer, ensure there is a working copy of Open Dental. If not, install the Trial version and ensure it is working properly.
  2. Insert the external drive with the backup into the restore computer.
  3. Enter the restore paths.
    • Restore FROM
    • Restore database TO
    • Restore A-Z images to this folder
  4. Click Restore. A message will ask to restore from the backup on the external drive (with date).
  5. Click OK and the restore process begins.
    • The existing database is renamed using the current date (e.g., opendentalbackup_04_10_2023).
    • The database on the Restore FROM path is copied to the Restore database TO path and will become the active database.
  6. As soon as the restore is finished, close Open Dental.
  7. Restart Open Dental.
  8. The Edit Paths window will open. The first line will will show the OpenDentaImages path for the office server. Change it to the path for restore computer (e.g., C:\OpenDentImages). Leave the other options as is.
  9. Click OK and Open Dental software should finish opening.