---
title: "How to Manage your database in SMF 2.0"
description: "Part of your site maintenance should include database backup and optimization.  Backing up your database should be done regularly. This is great insurance against any unforeseen instances that may..."
url: https://www.inmotionhosting.com/support/edu/mediawiki/datanase-management/
date: 2012-12-17
modified: 2021-08-16
author: "Scott Mitchell"
categories: ["MediaWiki", "SMF", "Website", "Working with Databases"]
type: post
lang: en
---

# How to Manage your database in SMF 2.0

Part of your site maintenance should include database backup and optimization.  Backing up your database should be done regularly. This is great insurance against any unforeseen instances that may cause you to lost data. The more recent your backup, the less data will be lost. Below are instructions on how to optimize your tables, backup your database, and convert your tables and data to UTF-8.

### Optimizing your database tables

1. [Log into your SMF admin dashboard](/support/edu/mediawiki/smf-admin-login/).
2. From the entry page, click **Admin** from the upper menu. This will reveal a second menu just underneath the first. Hover over **Main**and click on **Administration Center** from the popup submenu> You should,however, already be at this page by default when entering the Admin area.
3. At the the bottom of the page and you will see a list of maintenance categories. Click on the **Forum Maintenance** link to continue.
4. From the *Forum Maintenance* page, select the **Database** link from the page menu.
5. Locate the *Optimize All Tables* section and click on the **Run task Now** button.

### Backing up your database

1. [Log into your SMF admin dashboard](/support/edu/mediawiki/smf-admin-login/).
2. On this page, click the **Admin** link in the upper menu. A second menu will appear just below. Hover over **Main**and click on **Administration Center** from the popup submenu> You should,however, already be at this page by default when entering the Admin area.
3. Scroll to the bottom of the page and you will see a list of categories. Click on the **Forum Maintenance** category to continue.
4. Once on the *Forum Maintenance* page, select the **Database** link from the page menu.
5. Locate the Backup Database section on the screen and configure the settings as you desire. By default, all settings are selected.
6. Once configured, click on the **Download** button to download the backup to your local computer.

### Converting your database to UTF-8

1. [Log into your SMF admin dashboard](/support/edu/mediawiki/smf-admin-login/).
2. From the Admin entry page, click **Admin** found the upper menu. This displays a second menu just below the first. Hover over **Main**and click on **Administration Center** from the popup submenu> You should,however, already be at this page by default when entering the Admin area.
3. Scroll to the bottom of the page for the list of maintenance categories. Locate and click on the **Forum Maintenance** category to continue.
4. Once on the *Forum Maintenance* page, select the **Database** link from the page menu.
5. Locate the *Convert The Database And Data To UTF-8* section and click on the **Run task Now**.