In most cases, when you query data from the remote backup files of an ApsaraDB RDS for MySQL instance, Alibaba Cloud needs to restore the data of the remote backup files to a new RDS instance. This includes several processes: initialize the new RDS instance, copy the remote backup files to the new RDS instance, and restore data from the remote backup files to the new RDS instance. These processes are complex and time-consuming. This topic describes how to query data in real time from remote backup files without the need to restore these files.
Prerequisites
- An RDS instance is created. This instance is known as the source RDS instance. For more information, see Create an ApsaraDB RDS for MySQL instance.
- Data Lake Analytics (DLA) is activated. For more information, see Activate Data Lake Analytics.
- Database Backup (DBS) is activated, and a backup schedule is created. For more information,
see Create a backup schedule.
Note
- The backup schedule must reside in a region that is different from the region of the source RDS instance. In addition, the region of the backup schedule must support DLA.
- The Database Type parameter must be set to MySQL for the backup schedule.
- The Backup Method parameter must be set to Logical Backup for the backup schedule.
Scenario
Most of the traditional remote backup solutions compress the backup files that are generated on the source RDS instance, and then store the backup files to a different region. This brings challenges to the management of these backup files. In addition, the need to query historical backup files decreases as more time elapses. The storage of these historical backup files causes a waste of storage resources. The remote backup solution in this topic allows you to query data from remote backup files at high speeds and low costs.
- DBS supports automatic management of remote backup files. It stores backup files to
OSS buckets of various storage classes, such as Infrequent Access (IA) and Archive,
based on how often the backup files are queried.
Note For more information about OSS storage classes, see Overview.
- DLA supports real-time queries from full backup files. This relieves the need to restore data and reduces costs.
Technical architecture

Precautions
- DLA supports real-time queries only from the backup files that DBS generates for ApsaraDB RDS for MySQL instances.
- DLA supports real-time queries only from full backup files. It does not support real-time queries from incremental backup files.
- DLA must reside in the same region as the OSS buckets that store backup files.
- DLA supports real-time queries only from logical backup files.