Enable cross-region backups for an ApsaraDB RDS for SQL Server instance

Differences between cross-region backups and default backups

Billing

Precautions

• Cross-region backups do not affect default backups.
• After a default backup is complete, a cross-region backup is triggered. During the cross-region backup process, the original RDS instance forwards the generated default backup files to the destination region.
• After you enable cross-region backups, the original RDS instance checks whether valid data backup files are generated over the most recent 24 hours. If no valid data backup files are generated over the most recent 24 hours, the original RDS instance triggers a full backup.
• After you enable cross-region log backups, the original RDS instance checks whether valid data backup files are generated over the most recent 24 hours.
  • If continuous log backup files are archived following valid data backup files, the original RDS instance dumps the archived log backup files to the destination region.
  • If no continuous log backup files are archived following valid data backup files, the original RDS instance triggers a backup on its secondary RDS instance.
• Cross-region backups are not supported in several Alibaba Cloud regions due to network issues. The following table describes the Alibaba Cloud regions in which cross-region backups are supported.

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

Enable cross-region backups for a single RDS instance in the ApsaraDB RDS console

1. Log on to the RDS management console, click on the left Instances , and then select a region above.
2. Find the RDS instance for which you want to enable cross-region backups. Then, choose More > Cross-region Backup Settings in the Actions column.
   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 cannot be found, you must check whether the RDS instance meets all prerequisites.
3. Configure the following parameters.
   

   Parameter	Description
   Cross-region Backup Status	Specify whether you want to enable or disable cross-region backups. Select Enable.
   Backup Region	Select the destination region to which ApsaraDB RDS automatically replicates the backup files of the RDS instance.
   Cross-region Retention Period	Specify a retention period for 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, the cross-region backup files of the instance are retained based on the cross-region backup retention period that you specify. You can go to the Cross-region Backup page in the ApsaraDB RDS console to view the retained cross-region backup files.
   Cross-region Log Backup Status:	Specify whether you want to enable or disable cross-region log backups. After you enable cross-region log backups, ApsaraDB RDS automatically replicates the log backup files of the RDS instance to a specified Object Storage Service (OSS) bucket in the destination region.

4. Click OK.

Enable cross-region backups for multiple RDS instances at the same time

1. Log on to the RDS management console, in the left-side navigation pane, click Backups , and then select a region above.
2. On the Cross-region Backup tab, click the Pending Instances tab.
3. Select the RDS instances for which you want to enable cross-region backups. Then, click Backup Settings.
   Note You can also click Settings in the Cross-region Backup Settings column of a single RDS instance to enable cross-region backups only for that RDS instance.

   
4. Configure the following parameters.

   Parameter	Description
   Cross-region Backup Status	Specify whether you want to enable or disable cross-region backups. Select Enable.
   Backup Region	Select the destination region to which ApsaraDB RDS automatically replicates the backup files of the RDS instance.
   Cross-region Retention Period	Specify a retention period for 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, the cross-region backup files of the instance are retained based on the cross-region backup retention period that you specify. You can go to the Cross-region Backup page in the ApsaraDB RDS console to view the retained cross-region backup files.
   Cross-region Log Backup Status:	Specify whether you want to enable or disable cross-region log backups. After you enable cross-region log backups, ApsaraDB RDS automatically replicates the log backup files of the RDS instance to a specified Object Storage Service (OSS) bucket in the destination region.

5. Click OK.

Modify the cross-region backup settings of an RDS instance

The Cross-region Backup tab is added to the Backups page in the ApsaraDB RDS console. On this tab, you can modify the cross-region backup settings of an RDS instance even after the RDS instance is released.

1. Log on to the RDS management console, in the left-side navigation pane, click Backups , and then select a region above.
2. On the Backups page, click the Cross-region Backup tab. Click the Backup Instances tab and find the RDS instance whose cross-region backup settings you want to modify. Then, click Settings in the Cross-region Backup Settings column to modify the cross-region backup settings of the RDS instance.
   Note If the RDS instance is released, you can change only the cross-region backup retention period.

Disable cross-region backups for an RDS instance

If you no longer require cross-region backups, you can perform the following steps to disable cross-region backups:

1. Log on to the RDS management console, in the left-side navigation pane, click Backups , and then select a region above.
2. On the Backups page, click the Cross-region Backup tab. Click the Backup Instances tab and find the RDS instance for which you want to disable cross-region backups. Then, click Settings in the Cross-region Backup Settings column.
3. Set the Cross-region Backup Status parameter to Disabled and set the Cross-region Retention Period parameter to 7.
   Note After you disable cross-region backups, no new cross-region backup files are generated. 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 cross-region backup retention period that you specify elapses, ApsaraDB RDS deletes all the existing cross-region backup files and you are no longer charged for the storage of the cross-region backup files.
4. Click OK.

View the cross-region backup settings of an RDS instance

1. Log on to the RDS management console, in the left-side navigation pane, click Backups , and then select a region above.
2. On the Backups page, click the Cross-region Backup tab. Click the Backup Instances tab. Then, you can view the cross-region backup settings of the RDS instance.
   

FAQ

Why am I still charged for the storage of cross-region backup files after I disable cross-region backups for my RDS instance?

After you disable cross-region backups for your RDS instance, no new cross-region backup files are generated and you are no longer charged for the traffic that is consumed for the transmission of cross-region backup files. However, you are still charged for the storage of the existing cross-region backup files within the cross-region backup retention period that you specify. The existing cross-region backup files are still retained for at least seven days. For more information about how to set the cross-region backup retention period to seven days, see the "Modify the cross-region backup settings of an RDS instance" section of this topic. After the cross-region backup retention period that you specify elapses, ApsaraDB RDS deletes all the existing cross-region backup files and you are no longer charged for the storage of the cross-region backup files.

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