Back up an ApsaraDB RDS for MySQL instance across regions

Differences between cross-region and default backups

• The cross-region backup function is disabled by default and must be manually enabled. The default backup function is enabled by default.
• Cross-region backup files are stored in the destination region. Default backup files are stored in the source region.
• Cross-region backup files can be restored to a new or existing RDS instance in the source or destination region. Default backup files can be restored to the original RDS instance or a new RDS instance in the source region.
• Cross-region backup files are independent of the RDS instance. If you release the RDS instance, cross-region backup files will still be retained based on the specified retention period. However, default backup files will be retained for up to seven days.

Billing

Precautions

• Cross-region backup files can be restored to the source or destination region. However, if Transparent Data Encryption (TDE) is enabled, you can restore these files only to the source region.
• Cross-region backups do not affect default backups. These two types of backups occur at the same time. The RDS instance automatically replicates its backup files to the destination region.
• After a default backup is complete, the RDS instance triggers a cross-region backup. This allows you to dump the generated default backup files to the destination region.
• If no valid data backup files are generated within the last 24 hours when you enable the cross-region backup function, the RDS instance triggers a data backup to its secondary RDS instance.
• If the cross-region log backup function is enabled, the RDS instance checks for valid data backup files that are generated within the last 24 hours.
  • If continuous log backup files are generated following a valid data backup file, the RDS instance dumps these log backup files.
  • If no continuous log backup files are generated following a valid data backup file, the RDS instance triggers a data backup to its secondary RDS instance.
• Cross-region backups are not supported in some regions due to network issues. The following table lists the regions that support the cross-region backup function.

  Source region	Destination region
  China (Hangzhou)	China (Shanghai), China (Qingdao), China (Shenzhen)
  China (Shanghai)	China (Hangzhou), China (Qingdao), China (Shenzhen)
  China (Qingdao)	China (Hangzhou), China (Shanghai), China (Shenzhen)
  China (Beijing)	China (Hangzhou), China (Shanghai), China (Qingdao), China (Shenzhen)
  China (Shenzhen)	China (Hangzhou), China (Shanghai), China (Qingdao)
  China (Hong Kong)	China (Hangzhou), China (Shanghai), China (Qingdao), China (Shenzhen)

Enable the cross-region backup function for an RDS instance

1. Log on to the ApsaraDB for RDS console.
2. In the left-side navigation pane, click Instances. In the top navigation bar, select the region where the target RDS instance resides.
   
3. Find the target RDS instance. In the Actions column, click More and select Cross-region Backup Settings from the menu that appears.
   Note

   • You can also click Backup and Restoration in the left-side navigation pane and then click Edit in the upper-left corner of the Cross-region Backup tab.
   • If the Cross-region Backup Settings menu item or the Cross-region Backup tab does not appear, make sure that the RDS instance meets the requirements specified in the "Prerequisites" section of this topic.
4. Configure the following parameters.
   

   Parameter	Description
   Cross-region Backup Status	Specifies whether to enable the cross-region backup function. Select Enable.
   Backup Region	The destination region to which cross-region backup files are stored. The RDS instance automatically replicates its backup files to the destination region.
   Cross-region Retention Period	The number of days for which you want to retain cross-region backup files. Valid values: 7 to 1825. Cross-region backup files can be retained for a maximum of five years. Note After the RDS instance expires or is released, its cross-region backup files are still retained based on the specified retention period. You can log on to the ApsaraDB for RDS console and click Cross-region Backup in the left-side navigation pane. Then, you can view the retained cross-region backup files.
   Cross-region Log Backup Status:	Specifies whether to enable the cross-region log backup function. After you enable this function, the RDS instance replicates its log backup files to OSS buckets in the destination region.

5. Click OK.

Enable the cross-region backup function for multiple RDS instances at a time

1. Log on to the ApsaraDB for RDS console.
2. In the left-side navigation pane, click Cross-region Backup.
3. Click the Pending Instances tab.
4. Select the RDS instances for which you want to enable the cross-region backup function, and then click Backup Settings.
   Note You can also click Settings in the Cross-region Backup Settings column of a single RDS instance to enable the cross-region backup function only for that RDS instance.

   
5. Configure the following parameters.
   

   Parameter	Description
   Cross-region Backup Status	Specifies whether to enable the cross-region backup function. Select Enable.
   Backup Region	The destination region to which cross-region backup files are stored. The RDS instance automatically replicates its backup files to the destination region.
   Cross-region Retention Period	The number of days for which you want to retain cross-region backup files. Valid values: 7 to 1825. Cross-region backup files can be retained for a maximum of five years. Note After the RDS instance expires or is released, its cross-region backup files are still retained based on the specified retention period. You can log on to the ApsaraDB for RDS console and click Cross-region Backup in the left-side navigation pane. Then, you can view the retained cross-region backup files.
   Cross-region Log Backup Status:	Specifies whether to enable the cross-region log backup function. After you enable this function, the RDS instance replicates its log backup files to OSS buckets in the destination region.

6. Click OK.

Modify the cross-region backup settings of an RDS instance

A menu item named Cross-region Backup is added to the homepage of the ApsaraDB for RDS console. You can modify the cross-region backup settings of an RDS instance even if the RDS instance is released.

1. Log on to the ApsaraDB for RDS console.
2. In the left-side navigation pane, click Cross-region Backup.
3. Find the target RDS instance and in the Cross-region Backup Settings column click Settings. Then, you can modify the cross-region backup settings of the RDS instance based on your business requirements.
   Note If the RDS instance is released, you can only modify the cross-region backup retention period.

Disable the cross-region backup function for an RDS instance

Follow these steps:

1. Log on to the ApsaraDB for RDS console.
2. In the left-side navigation pane, click Cross-region Backup.
3. Find the target RDS instance and in the Cross-region Backup Settings column click Settings.
4. Set the Cross-region Backup Status parameter to Disabled and the Cross-region Retention Period parameter to 7 days.
   Note After you disable the cross-region backup function, no new cross-region backup files are generated. However, the existing cross-region backup files are still retained for at least seven days. You must set the cross-region retention period to seven days. After the retention period elapses, all of the existing cross-region backup files are deleted. You are no longer charged for the storage of these backup files.
5. Click OK.

View the cross-region backup settings of an RDS instance

1. Log on to the ApsaraDB for RDS console.
2. In the left-side navigation pane, click Cross-region Backup. Then, you can view the cross-region backup settings of all RDS instances.
   

FAQ

Why am I still incurring charges after I disable the cross-region backup function for my RDS instance?

After you disable the cross-region backup function for your RDS instance, you must still pay for the storage space that is occupied by the existing cross-region backup files within the specified retention period. This is regardless of whether the function no longer consumes traffic and your RDS instance no longer generates new cross-region backup files. The existing cross-region backup files are retained for at least seven days. You can set the retention period to seven days. After the retention period elapses, all of the existing cross-region backup files are deleted. You are no longer charged for the storage of these backup files.

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