This topic describes how to enable cross-region backups for an ApsaraDB RDS for SQL Server instance. After you enable cross-region backups, the backup files of the original RDS instance are automatically replicated from the source region to the specified destination region. You can use the backup files in the destination region to manage and restore the data of the original RDS instance.
Background information
- Enable cross-region backups for a single RDS instance in the ApsaraDB RDS console
- Enable cross-region backups for a single RDS instance in the DBS console
If a cross-region backup is complete, you can restore the data of the original RDS instance from the generated cross-region backup file to an existing RDS instance or to a new RDS instance that resides in the destination region. For more information, see Restore the data of an ApsaraDB RDS for SQL Server instance across regions.
- For more information about default backups, see Back up an ApsaraDB RDS for SQL Server instance.
- For more information about how to enable cross-region backups for an ApsaraDB RDS for MySQL instance, see Enable cross-region backups for an ApsaraDB RDS for MySQL instance.
- For more information about how to enable cross-region backups for an ApsaraDB RDS for PostgreSQL instance, see Enable cross-region backups for an ApsaraDB RDS for PostgreSQL instance.
Prerequisites
Where to perform cross-region backups | Prerequisite |
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ApsaraDB RDS console |
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Database Backup (DBS) console |
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Differences between cross-region backups and default backups
Comparison item | Cross-region backup | Default backup |
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Default status | By default, cross-region backups are disabled. If you want to perform cross-region backups, you must manually enable cross-region backups. | By default, default backups are enabled. |
Storage | Cross-region backup files are stored in a different region rather than the source region. | Default backup files are stored in the source region. |
Restoration | The data of a cross-region backup file can be restored only to a new RDS instance that resides in the destination region. | The data of a default backup file can be restored to one of the following RDS instances:
|
Retention period | After the original RDS instance is released, its cross-region 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. |
Billing
- Remote storage fee: USD 0.0002/GB.
- Network traffic fee: For more information, see Network traffic fees.
Precautions
- Cross-region backups do not affect default backups. These types of backups can exist at the same time.
- After a default backup is complete, a cross-region backup is triggered. During the cross-region backup process, the original RDS instance replicates the default backup file that is generated 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 the valid
data backup files that are generated over the most recent 24 hours.
- If continuous binary log files are archived following the valid data backup files, the original RDS instance replicates the archived binary log files to the destination region.
- If no continuous binary log files are archived following the valid data backup files, the original RDS instance triggers a backup on its secondary RDS instance.
- Cross-region backups are not supported in a few Alibaba Cloud regions due to network
reasons. The following table lists the Alibaba Cloud regions where cross-region backups
are supported.
Source region Destination region China (Hangzhou), China (Shanghai), China (Qingdao), China (Beijing), China (Zhangjiakou), China (Hohhot), China (Shenzhen), China (Hong Kong), China (Ulanqab), China (Chengdu), China (Guangzhou), and China (Heyuan) China (Hong Kong), China (Hangzhou), China (Shanghai), China (Qingdao), China (Shenzhen), China (Zhangjiakou), China (Hohhot), China (Beijing), China (Ulanqab), China (Chengdu), China (Guangzhou), and China (Heyuan) Note The backup files from the source region can be replicated to a different region rather than the source region. The available destination regions vary based on your network environment.
Enable cross-region backups for a single RDS instance in the ApsaraDB RDS console
- Enable cross-region backups for a single RDS instance
- 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.
- Find the RDS instance for which you want to enable cross-region backups. In the Actions
column, choose 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.
.
- Configure the following parameters.
Parameter Description Cross-region Backup Status Specify whether to enable or disable cross-region backups. Select Enable. Backup Region Select the destination region to which the backup files of the RDS instance are automatically replicated. Cross-region Retention Period Specify the number of days for which cross-region backup files are retained. Valid values: 7 to 1825. The value 1825 is equivalent to five years. Note After the RDS instance expires or is released, its cross-region backup files are still retained based on the cross-region backup retention period that you specify. You can log on to the ApsaraDB RDS console, click Backups in the left-side navigation pane, and then click the Cross-region Backup tab to view the cross-region backup files that are retained.Cross-region Log Backup Status: Specify whether to enable or disable cross-region log backups. After you enable cross-region log backups, the log backup files of the RDS instance are automatically replicated to the specified Object Storage Service (OSS) bucket in the destination region. - Click Confirm.
- Enable cross-region backups for multiple RDS instances at a time
- Log on to the ApsaraDB RDS console. In the left-side navigation pane, click Backups. In the top navigation bar, select the region where the RDS instance resides.
- On the Cross-region Backup tab, click the Pending Instances tab.
- 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 an RDS instance to enable cross-region backups only for the RDS instance.
- Configure the following parameters.
- Click OK.
- Modify the cross-region backup settings of an RDS instance
- Log on to the ApsaraDB RDS console. In the left-side navigation pane, click Backups. In the top navigation bar, select the region where the RDS instance resides.
- 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:
- Log on to the ApsaraDB RDS console. In the left-side navigation pane, click Backups. In the top navigation bar, select the region where the RDS instance resides.
- 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.
- In the dialog box that appears, 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 must be retained for at least seven days. Therefore, you must 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.
- Click OK.
- To view and download the cross-region backup files of an RDS instance, perform the
following operations:
- Log on to the ApsaraDB RDS console. In the left-side navigation pane, click Backups. In the top navigation bar, select the region where the RDS instance resides.
- On the Backups page, click the Cross-region Backup tab. Then, click the Backup Instances tab to view the cross-region backup files of the RDS instance.
- Click the ID of the RDS instance. On the page that appears, click the Data Backup or Log Backup tab. Then, find the backup file that you want to download, and click Download in the Actions column.
- Click Download.
Note You are not charged for the traffic that you consume to download backup files over an internal network. However, you are charged for the traffic that you consume to download backup files over the Internet. For more information, see Network traffic fees.
Enable cross-region backups for a single RDS instance in the DBS console
In this example, the backup files of an RDS instance that resides in the China (Hangzhou) are replicated to the China (Shanghai) region.
To download the cross-region data backup files of an RDS instance, perform the following operations:
- 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 where you purchase the backup schedule. In this example, select the China (Shanghai) region.
- Click the name of the backup schedule and go to the detail page.
- In the left-side navigation pane, click Backup Set Download. On the page that appears, find the backup task that you want to download and click Download in the Actions column. For more information, see Overview.
FAQ
After I disable cross-region backups for my RDS instance, why am I still charged for the storage of cross-region backup files?
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 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 must be retained for at least seven days. Therefore, you must 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 that you specify elapses, all existing cross-region backup files are deleted and you are no longer charged for the storage of cross-region backup files.
Related operations
Operation | Description |
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Check cross-region backup | Checks whether an ApsaraDB RDS instance has a cross-region data backup file that can be used to restore data across regions. |
Restore data to a new instance across regions | Restores the data of an ApsaraDB RDS instance to a new ApsaraDB 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 available destination regions to which the cross-region backup files from a specified source region can be replicated. |
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 specified cross-region backup file. |
Query ApsaraDB for RDS instances on which cross-region backup is enabled | Queries the ApsaraDB RDS instances for which cross-region backups are enabled in a region and the cross-region backup settings of the instances. |