This topic describes how to back up an ApsaraDB RDS for MySQL instance by using the cross-region backup feature. This feature allows ApsaraDB RDS to replicate the backup files of your RDS instance from the source region to a specified destination region. The destination region is different from the source region where the original RDS instance resides. You can use the backup files in the destination region to manage and restore your RDS instance. In this case, your RDS instance is known as the original RDS instance.

Prerequisites

The original RDS instance runs one of the following MySQL versions and RDS editions:
  • MySQL 8.0 on RDS High-availability Edition (with local SSDs)
  • MySQL 5.7 on RDS High-availability Edition (with local SSDs)
  • MySQL 5.6
Note For more information about how to back up an ApsaraDB RDS for SQL Server instance across regions, see Back up an ApsaraDB RDS for SQL Server instance across regions.

Background information

The cross-region backup feature is different from the default backup feature. For more information about the default backup feature, see Automatic and manual backups.

You can use a cross-region backup file of the original RDS instance to restore data to an existing or new RDS instance that resides in the destination region. For more information, see Restore the data of an ApsaraDB RDS for MySQL instance across regions.

Differences between the cross-region backup feature and the default backup feature

  • By default, the cross-region backup feature is disabled, and the default backup feature is enabled. If you require the cross-region backup feature, you must manually enable this feature.
  • 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 original RDS instance. If you release the original RDS instance, cross-region backup files are still retained based on the specified retention period. However, default backup files are retained only for seven days.

Billing

The fee that is required for the cross-region backup feature includes the following two parts:

Precautions

  • You can restore data from cross-region backup files to the source or destination region. However, if transparent data encryption (TDE) is enabled, you can restore data from these files only to the source region. For more information, see Configure TDE for an ApsaraDB RDS for SQL Server instance.
  • Cross-region backups do not interrupt default backups. These two types of backups can be used at the same time.
  • After a default backup is complete, the original RDS instance triggers a cross-region backup. This allows the original RDS instance to dump the generated default backup files to the destination region.
  • After you enable the cross-region backup feature, the original RDS instance checks whether a valid data backup file is generated over the last 24 hours. If no valid data backup files are generated over the last 24 hours, the original RDS instance triggers a backup on its secondary RDS instance.
  • After you enable the cross-region log backup feature, the original RDS instance checks whether a valid data backup file is generated over the last 24 hours.
    • If continuous binary log files are generated following the valid data backup file, the original RDS instance dumps the binary log files to the destination region.
    • If no continuous binary log files are generated following the valid data backup file, the original RDS instance triggers a backup on its secondary RDS instance.
  • The cross-region backup feature is not supported in some regions due to network issues. The following table lists the regions in which the cross-region backup feature is supported.
    Source region Destination region
    China (Hangzhou) China (Shanghai), China (Qingdao), China (Shenzhen), China (Zhangjiakou), and China (Hohhot)
    China (Shanghai) China (Hangzhou), China (Qingdao), China (Shenzhen), China (Zhangjiakou), and China (Hohhot)
    China (Qingdao) China (Hangzhou), China (Shanghai), China (Shenzhen), China (Zhangjiakou), and China (Hohhot)
    China (Beijing) China (Hangzhou), China (Shanghai), China (Qingdao), China (Shenzhen), China (Zhangjiakou), and China (Hohhot)
    China (Zhangjiakou) China (Hangzhou), China (Shanghai), China (Qingdao), China (Shenzhen), and China (Hohhot)
    China (Hohhot) China (Hangzhou), China (Shanghai), China (Qingdao), China (Shenzhen), and China (Zhangjiakou)
    China (Shenzhen) China (Hangzhou), China (Shanghai), China (Qingdao), China (Zhangjiakou), and China (Hohhot)
    China (Hong Kong) China (Hangzhou), China (Shanghai), China (Qingdao), China (Shenzhen), China (Zhangjiakou), and China (Hohhot)
    US (Silicon Valley) US (Virginia)
    US (Virginia) US (Silicon Valley)
    China East 1 Finance China East 2 Finance and China South 1 Finance
    China East 2 Finance China East 1 Finance and China South 1 Finance
    China South 1 Finance China East 1 Finance and China East 2 Finance

Enable the cross-region backup feature for an RDS instance

  1. Log on to the ApsaraDB RDS console. In the left-side navigation pane, click Instances. In the top navigation bar, select the region where the RDS instance resides.
    Select a region
  2. Find the RDS instance and in the Actions column choose More > Cross-region Backup Settings.
    Note
    • You can also click Edit on the Cross-region Backup tab of the Backup and Restoration page.
    • If the Cross-region Backup Settings option or the Cross-region Backup tab does not appear, you must check that the RDS instance meets the requirements that are described in the "Prerequisites" section of this topic.
  3. Configure the following parameters.
    Cross-region Backup Settings dialog box
    Parameter Description
    Cross-region Backup Status The switch that is used to control the cross-region backup feature. Select Enable.
    Backup Region The destination region to which you want to store cross-region backup files. ApsaraDB RDS automatically replicates backup files from the RDS instance 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. Unit: days. The longest cross-region backup retention period spans 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 RDS console and click Cross-region Backup in the left-side navigation pane to view the retained cross-region backup files.
    Cross-region Log Backup Status: The switch that is used to control the cross-region log backup feature. After you enable this feature, ApsaraDB RDS replicates log backup files from the RDS instance to the specified Object Storage Service (OSS) bucket in the destination region.
  4. Click OK.

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

  1. Log on to the ApsaraDB RDS console. In the left-side navigation pane, click Cross-region Backup. In the top navigation bar, select the region where the RDS instances reside.
    Select a region
  2. Click the Pending Instances tab.
  3. Select the RDS instances and click Backup Settings below the instance list.
    Note You can also click Settings in the Cross-region Backup Settings column of a single RDS instance to enable the cross-region backup feature only for this RDS instance.
    Pending Instances tab
  4. Configure the following parameters.
    Batch Cross-region Backup Settings dialog box
    Parameter Description
    Cross-region Backup Status The switch that is used to control the cross-region backup feature. Select Enable.
    Backup Region The destination region to which you want to store cross-region backup files. ApsaraDB RDS automatically replicates backup files from the RDS instance 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. Unit: days. The longest cross-region backup retention period spans 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 RDS console and click Cross-region Backup in the left-side navigation pane to view the retained cross-region backup files.
    Cross-region Log Backup Status: The switch that is used to control the cross-region log backup feature. After you enable this feature, ApsaraDB RDS replicates log backup files from the RDS instance to the specified Object Storage Service (OSS) bucket in the destination region.
  5. 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 RDS console. You can modify the cross-region backup settings of an RDS instance even after the instance is released.

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

Disable the cross-region backup feature for an RDS instance

If you do not require the cross-region backup feature, you can perform the following steps to disable this feature:

  1. Log on to the ApsaraDB RDS console. In the left-side navigation pane, click Cross-region Backup. In the top navigation bar, select the region where the RDS instance resides.
    Select a region
  2. Find the RDS instance and in the Cross-region Backup Settings column click Settings.
  3. Set the Cross-region Backup Status parameter to Disabled and the Cross-region Retention Period parameter to 7.
    Note After you disable the cross-region backup feature, 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 backup retention period to seven days. After the specified retention period elapses, all of the existing cross-region backup files are deleted. In this case, you are no longer charged for the storage of these cross-region backup files.
  4. Click OK.

FAQ

After I disable the cross-region backup feature for my RDS instance, why am I still charged for cross-region backup files?

After you disable the cross-region backup feature for your RDS instance, no new cross-region backup files are generated. In addition, you are no longer charged for the traffic that is consumed for these cross-region backup files. However, you must still pay for the storage of the existing cross-region backup files within the specified retention period. The existing cross-region backup files are retained for at least seven days. You can set the retention period to seven days. For more information, see the "Modify the cross-region backup settings of an RDS instance" section of this topic. After the specified retention period elapses, all of the existing cross-region backup files are deleted and you are no longer charged for the storage of these cross-region backup files.

Related operations

Operation Description
Check whether an ApsaraDB for RDS instance can be restored across regions Checks whether an ApsaraDB RDS instance has a cross-region backup set that can be used to restore data.
Restore data to a new instance across regions Restores the data of an ApsaraDB RDS instance to a new RDS instance that resides in a different region than the original RDS instance.
Modify cross-region backup settings Modifies the cross-region backup settings of an ApsaraDB RDS instance.
Query cross-region backup settings Queries the cross-region backup settings of an ApsaraDB RDS instance.
Query cross-region data backup files Queries the cross-region data backup files of an ApsaraDB RDS instance.
Query cross-region log backup files Queries the cross-region log backup files of an ApsaraDB RDS instance.
Query regions that support cross-region backup Queries the regions to which the cross-region backup files from the current region can be restored.
Query the time range to which you can restore data by using a cross-region backup set Queries the restorable time range that is supported by a cross-region backup file.
Query ApsaraDB for RDS instances on which cross-region backup is enabled Queries the ApsaraDB RDS instances for which the cross-region backup feature is enabled in a region and the cross-region backup settings of these instances.