Database Backup (DBS) allows you to use Database Gateway to back up on-premises databases or private databases on a third-party cloud to Alibaba Cloud. You can connect your databases to Alibaba Cloud in a cost-effective manner with a few simple steps. Then, you can specify a database that is connected to a database gateway as the source database when you configure a backup schedule in logical backup mode. This topic describes how to use a database gateway to back up on-premises databases or private databases on a third-party cloud to Alibaba Cloud.

Background information

You can connect an on-premises database or a database that is hosted on a third-party cloud to Alibaba Cloud by using one of the following methods:

  • Connect the database to Alibaba Cloud over Express Connect, VPN Gateway, or Smart Access Gateway: This method is not suitable for individual users due to high costs.
  • Connect to the service port of the database over the Internet: This method causes potential security risks.
  • Forward service requests by using a self-managed proxy: This method requires high technical costs and does not ensure high stability.

You can use Database Gateway to connect your database to Alibaba Cloud. This method has the following benefits:

  • Supports encrypted data transmission to ensure data security.
  • Supports data compression and batch transmission of database shards to improve data transmission performance.
  • Supports multi-link redundancy and automatic troubleshooting to ensure reliable data transmission.
  • Supports simple configurations that do not require firewalls. For more information about how Database Gateway works, see How it works.

Prerequisites

Usage notes

  • Make sure that the server on which the database gateway is installed can access the Internet. The service port of the server does not need to be open to the Internet. To ensure stable data transmission, make sure that the outbound public bandwidth of the server is at least 10 Mbit/s.
  • Make sure that the server on which the database gateway is installed can connect to the database that you want to back up. If the server and the database are deployed on the same internal network, the network latency is minimal.

Billing

Database Gateway is free of charge.

Configure a backup schedule

  1. Log on to the DBS console. In the left-side navigation pane, click Backup Schedules. In the upper-left corner of the Backup Schedules page, select the region in which you purchase the backup schedule.
  2. On the Backup Schedules page, find the ID of the backup schedule that you want to configure and click Configure Backup Schedule in the Actions column.
  3. In the Configure Backup Source and Destination step of the Configure Backup Schedule wizard, configure the backup source and destination, and click Next in the lower-right corner of the page.
    SectionParameterDescription
    N/ASchedule Name

    The name of the backup schedule. DBS automatically generates a backup schedule name. We recommend that you set a descriptive name that is easy to identify. Backup schedule names do not need to be unique.

    Backup Source InformationBackup ModeThe method that is used to back up data. By default, the backup method that you selected when you purchased the backup schedule is used. In this example, this parameter is set to Logical Backup.
    Database LocationThe location of the database. Select No public network IP: Port's self-built database (accessed through the database gateway).
    Note If you select No public network IP: Port's self-built database (accessed through the database gateway), cross-region backup is not supported. The region of the source database must be the same as the region of the Object Storage Service (OSS) bucket that you use to store the backup data.
    Instance RegionThe region in which the database that you want to back up resides.
    Database TypeThe type of the database that you want to back up. By default, the database type that you selected when you purchased the backup schedule is used. In this example, this parameter is set to MySQL.
    Gateway instance IDThe ID of the database gateway.
    AddressThe endpoint used to connect to the database that you want to back up.
    Port NumberThe port used to connect to the database that you want to back up. The default port number of the MySQL database is 3306.
    Database Account

    The username of the account that is used to connect to the source database. The account must have specific permissions to back up the database. For more information, see Account permissions.

    PasswordThe password of the account that is used to connect to the database that you want to back up.

    After you enter the username and password of the database account, click Test Connection next to the password to check whether the information about the database that you want to back up is valid. If the specified parameters are valid, the "Test Passed" message appears. If the "Test Failed" message appears, click Check next to Test Failed. Modify the information about the database that you want to back up based on the check results.

    Backup Destination InformationBackup Storage TypeThe type of storage that is used to store the backup data. Valid values:
    • DBS Storage (recommended): Backup data is stored in DBS without requiring you to create storage space. You are charged based on the volume of your data that is stored in DBS. For more information about the billing method, see Storage fees.

      To reduce storage costs, we recommend that you use subscription storage plans. For more information, see Use storage plans.

    • OSS For User: You must create a bucket in the Object Storage Service (OSS) console in advance. For more information, see Create buckets.
    Note In this example, DBS Storage (recommended) is selected. If you select OSS For User, you must configure the OSS Bucket Name parameter, and only the Standard storage class is supported.
    Storage EncryptionThe method that is used to encrypt the stored data. Valid values:
    • Encrypted: recommended. DBS uses AES-256, which is one of the advanced encryption standard ciphers, to encrypt the stored data.

      The server-side encryption feature is used in OSS. When you upload an object to a bucket for which server-side encryption is enabled, OSS encrypts and stores the object. When you download the encrypted object from OSS, OSS decrypts the object and returns the decrypted object to you. For more information, see Server-side encryption.

    • Non-encrypted: The backup data is not encrypted.
    • KMS Encrypted
      Note This value is displayed only if you set the Backup Storage Type parameter to OSS For User.
  4. In the Edit Backup Objects step, find the database or table that you want to back up and add it to the Selected section. Then, click Next.
    Note
    • If you selected Logical Backup when you purchased a backup schedule, DBS allows you to back up a single table, a single database, multiple databases, or an entire database instance. By default, all the incremental data is backed up during incremental backup.
      • You can click Select All in the lower-left corner of the page to select all databases. The database objects that can be backed up vary based on the database type. For more information, see Database engines and features.
      • By default, a backup schedule cannot be used to back up a database that is created after the backup schedule is created. To back up the database, you can add the database to the backup schedule on the Edit Backup Objects page of the backup schedule. For more information, see Modify backup objects.
    • If you selected Physical Backup when you purchased a backup schedule, you must back up an entire database instance.
  5. In the Configure Backup Time step, configure the parameters that are described in the following table. Then, click Next in the lower-right corner of the page.
    ParameterDescription
    Full-scale Backup Frequency

    The frequency of the backup schedule. Select Periodic Backup or Single Backup based on your business requirements.

    Note In scenarios where incremental data needs to be restored, we recommend that you select Periodic Backup and perform a full backup at least once a week. Otherwise, a large number of binary logs must be replayed during restoration. This process is prone to errors and may result in a prolonged recovery time objective (RTO).
    Full Data Backup Recurrence

    The days of the week on which DBS runs the backup schedule. This parameter must be specified if the Full-scale Backup Frequency parameter is set to Periodic Backup. Select at least one day of the week.

    Start At

    The point in time when a backup starts. This parameter must be specified if the Full-scale Backup Frequency parameter is set to Periodic Backup. We recommend that you specify a point in time during off-peak hours. Example: 01:00.

    Note If a previous full data backup is not complete at the start time of the next backup, DBS skips the next backup.
    Incremental Backup

    Specifies whether to enable incremental backup. If you enable incremental backup, make sure that the binary logging feature is enabled for the database that you want to back up.

    Note
    • This parameter is displayed only if you set the Full-scale Backup Frequency parameter to Periodic Backup.
    • By default, the binary logging feature is enabled for an ApsaraDB RDS for MySQL instance. If you use a self-managed database, you must manually enable the binary logging feature.
    Maximum Concurrent Threads for Full Data Backup

    The maximum number of concurrent threads that are available for a full backup. You can configure this parameter to adjust the backup speed. For example, you can reduce the number of backup threads to minimize impacts on the database.

    The maximum number of actual concurrent threads varies based on backup schedule specifications. For more information, see How do I change the maximum backup speed?

    Backup network speed limit

    The limit on the network bandwidth. Unit: MB/s. You can set the limit based on your needs. Default value: 0, which indicates that the network bandwidth is unlimited.

    Note This parameter is displayed only if you set the Database Type parameter to MySQL.
  6. In the Edit Lifecycle step, configure the lifecycle for full backup data in the Configure Full Data Backup Lifecycle section.
    Note If you set the Incremental Backup parameter to Enable in Step 6, you must configure the lifecycle for incremental backup data.
  7. After the configurations are complete, click Precheck in the lower-right corner of the page.
  8. If the Precheck Passed message appears, click Start Task.
    Note When the state of the backup schedule changes to Running, the backup schedule takes effect.
    After data is backed up, you can view the backup schedule or restore the backup data. For more information, see View a backup schedule or Restore a database.