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ApsaraDB RDS:Use the cross-region backup feature

Last Updated:Jan 22, 2024

This topic describes how to use the cross-region backup feature for an ApsaraDB RDS for PostgreSQL instance. After you enable the cross-region backup feature, the backup files of the RDS instance are automatically replicated from the source region to the destination region. You can use this feature for regulatory compliance and disaster recovery.

Note

Differences between cross-region backups and default backups

Item

Cross-region backup

Default backup

Default configuration

By default, the feature is disabled. If you want to use the cross-region backup feature, you must manually enable the feature.

By default, the feature is enabled.

Backup storage

Backup files are stored in a region that is different from the region of the RDS instance.

Backup files are stored in the region in which the RDS instance resides.

Restoration

The data of a cross-region backup file can be restored only to a new RDS instance that resides in the destination region.

Data can be restored to one of the following RDS instances:

  • New RDS instance that resides in the same region as the original RDS instance

  • Original RDS instance

Retention period

If an RDS instance is released, the backup files are still retained based on the cross-region backup retention period that you specify.

By default, after the original RDS instance is released, its default backup files are retained for seven days.

Prerequisites

  • The original RDS instance meets the following requirements:

    • If the RDS instance uses local disks, the instance runs PostgreSQL 9.4 or PostgreSQL 10 on RDS High-availability Edition.

    • The RDS instance runs PostgreSQL 10 or later. Serverless RDS instances are not supported.

      Note

      If your RDS instance uses enhanced SSDs (ESSDs) and cloud disk encryption is enabled for the RDS instance, the cross-region backup feature is not supported. For more information about how to check whether cloud disk encryption is enabled for an RDS instance, see Use the cloud disk encryption feature.

  • The AliyunServiceRoleForDBS service-linked role is created by using your Alibaba Cloud account if you use the backup feature of ApsaraDB RDS for the first time. For more information, see How do I create a service-linked role for DBS?

  • The RDS instance does not use a new general-purpose instance type.

    Note

    The new general-purpose instance types provide better scalability and performance and reduce the time to create an RDS instance or change the specifications of an RDS instance. The new general-purpose instance types do not support the cross-region backup feature. For more information, see Primary ApsaraDB RDS for PostgreSQL instance types.

Billing rules

The following fees are generated if you perform cross-region backups on an RDS instance in the ApsaraDB RDS console:

  • Cross-region storage fee: USD 0.0002 per GB-hour

  • Network traffic fee. For more information, see Network traffic fees.

Note

If your RDS instance contains a large amount of data, we recommend that your use DBS storage plans to offset the network traffic fees. For more information, see Storage fees.

Usage notes

  • The cross-region backup feature is not supported by RDS instances for which cloud disk encryption is enabled.

  • Cross-region backups do not affect default backups. These two types of backups can exist on an RDS instance at the same time.

  • After a default backup is complete, a cross-region backup is triggered. During the cross-region backup process, the system dumps the generated default backup files of the RDS instance to the destination region.

  • After you enable the cross-region backup feature, 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, a backup is triggered on the secondary RDS instance of the original RDS instance.

  • The cross-region backup feature is not supported in some Alibaba Cloud regions due to network reasons. The following table describes the Alibaba Cloud regions in which the feature is supported.

    Important
    • The cross-region backup feature allows you to replicate backup files from one Alibaba Cloud region to another, regardless of whether the regions are inside or outside China.

    • The cross-region backup feature allows you to replicate backup files only to a region that is different from the source region. The available destination regions vary based on your network environment.

    Supported environment

    Region

    Inside China

    China (Beijing), China (Shanghai), China (Hangzhou), China (Shenzhen), China (Qingdao), China (Guangzhou), China (Ulanqab), China (Heyuan), China (Chengdu), China (Hohhot), and China (Zhangjiakou)

    Outside China

    China (Hong Kong), US (Silicon Valley), US (Virginia), Singapore, Japan (Tokyo), Germany (Frankfurt), Australia (Sydney), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), Indonesia (Jakarta), India (Mumbai), Philippines (Manila), UK (London), South Korea (Seoul), and Thailand (Bangkok)

Procedure

  • Enable the cross-region backup feature

    1. Log on to the ApsaraDB RDS console. In the left-side navigation pane, click Instances. In the top navigation bar, select the region in which your RDS instance resides.
    2. Find the RDS instance for which you want to enable the cross-region backup feature. In the Actions column, choose More > Cross-region Backup Settings.

      Note
      • You can also go to the Backup and Restoration page of the RDS instance, click the Backup Settings tab, and then click Edit in the Cross-region Backup Settings section.

      • If the Cross-region Backup Settings section is not displayed, you must check whether the RDS instance meets all prerequisites.

    3. Configure the following parameters.

      Parameter

      Description

      Cross-region Backup

      Specifies whether to enable the cross-region backup feature. Select Enable.

      Backup Region

      Select the destination region to which the backup files of the RDS instance are automatically replicated.

      Cross-region Retention Period

      The retention period of 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 go to the Backup and Restoration tab on the Cross-region Backups page of your RDS instance to view the cross-region backup files that do not expire.

      Cross-region Log Backup

      Specify whether to enable or disable the cross-region log backup feature. After you enable the cross-region log backup feature, the log backup files of the RDS instance are automatically replicated to an Object Storage Service (OSS) bucket in the destination region.

      Compliance Commitments Regarding Cross-border Data Transfers

      Read and select the relevant agreement.

    4. Click OK.

  • Modify the cross-region backup settings of an RDS instance

    1. Log on to the ApsaraDB RDS console. In the left-side navigation pane, click Backups. In the top navigation bar, select the region in which the RDS instance resides.

    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 modify only the cross-region backup retention period.

  • Disable the cross-region backup feature for an RDS instance

    1. Log on to the ApsaraDB RDS console. In the left-side navigation pane, click Backups. In the top navigation bar, select the region in which the RDS instance resides.

    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 the cross-region backup feature. Then, click Settings in the Cross-region Backup Settings column.

    3. Change the values of 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 for your RDS instance, no new cross-region backup files or traffic fees are generated. 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 retained for at least seven days. You can set the cross-region backup 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 cross-region backup retention period elapses, all existing cross-region backup files are deleted and you are no longer charged for the storage of cross-region backup files.

  • Download the cross-region backup files of an RDS instance

    After a cross-region backup is completed for your RDS instance in the ApsaraDB RDS console, you can download the cross-region backup sets.

    1. Log on to the ApsaraDB RDS console. In the left-side navigation pane, click Backups. In the top navigation bar, select the region in which the RDS instance resides.

    2. On the Backups page, click the Cross-region Backup tab. Click the Backup Instances tab and click the ID of the RDS instance for which you want to download cross-region backup files.

    3. On the Data Backup tab or the Log Backup tab, click Download in the Actions column to download the full data backup file or the incremental backup file.

    4. Read and select the agreement, and click Download.

      Note

      If you download backup sets over an internal network, the traffic is free of charge. If you download backup sets over the Internet, the traffic is charged. For more information, see Network traffic fees.

References

FAQ

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

    After you disable the cross-region backup feature for your RDS instance, no new cross-region backup files are generated and you are no longer charged for the traffic that is consumed to transmit 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 retained for at least seven days. You can set the cross-region backup retention period to seven days. After the seven-day retention period elapses, all existing cross-region backup files are deleted and you are no longer charged for the storage of cross-region backup files. For more information about how to specify a cross-region backup retention period, see Procedure.

  • What resource plan can I use to offset the fees generated for the cross-region backup storage when I perform cross-region backups on an RDS instance in the ApsaraDB RDS console?

    No resource plan is available to offset the cross-region storage fees for your RDS instance.