Cloud Backup provides a Database Backup feature that protects self-managed databases on Elastic Compute Service (ECS) instances with automated, low-cost backups to cloud vaults.
Introduction
Cloud Backup Database Backup for ECS protects self-managed databases on ECS instances by backing up data to a Cloud Backup backup vault in a simple, secure, and reliable manner. If a database system failure, ECS instance failure, logic error, or ransomware attack occurs, the data can be fully recovered from the Cloud Backup backup vault.
Cloud Backup does not support backing up databases that are deployed in containers.
The MySQL backup feature does not support backing up multiple MySQL instances on a single machine, such as a local server or an ECS instance.
Key advantages
Low cost
Cloud Backup does not charge instance configuration fees. You are charged only for the backup storage capacity that is used after deduplication and compression.
Excellent performance
Backup jobs consume minimal resources, typically less than 0.5 cores and 100 MB of memory. Real-time backups for MySQL and Oracle achieve a near-zero Recovery Point Objective (RPO).
Wide support
Major versions of MySQL, Oracle, and SQL Server are supported.
Simple configuration
After you grant authorization, Cloud Backup automatically detects databases on ECS instances and pushes and installs the backup client.
Automatic alerts
Configure alert settings for failed tasks in the Cloud Backup console to receive notifications by email, text message, or phone call.
Backup locking to prevent accidental deletion
Cloud Backup provides a backup locking feature for backup vaults. Locked backup data cannot be deleted by any account or method before the configured retention period expires.
How it works
In the Cloud Backup console, specify the ECS instances to back up. Cloud Backup automatically pushes the backup client to those instances. Make sure that Cloud Assistant is installed on the ECS instances. The backup client then backs up the specified databases according to the backup plan configuration.
When a backup job runs, the Cloud Backup client calls the native backup component for the specified database instance. The client reads the backup data, performs deduplication and compression, and then uploads the data to the Cloud Backup backup vault to complete the backup.
Procedure
To back up ECS databases in the Cloud Backup console, complete the following steps:
The procedures for backing up MySQL, Oracle, and SQL Server databases that are hosted on ECS instances are basically the same. In this example, a MySQL database is backed up.
Cloud Backup registers databases based on username and password. To back up a MySQL or SQL Server database, you must obtain the username and password from the database administrator. Oracle databases can be registered without passwords.
Activating Cloud Backup is free. However, you are charged for the rental and storage usage of backup vaults. Each vault is free for the first 30 days. A free capacity of 100 GB is provided for each backup vault per month. After the free quota is used up, you are charged based on tiered pricing. For more information, see Billing methods and billable items.
Register a database in the Cloud Backup console. Cloud Backup automatically installs a backup client on the ECS instance that hosts the database. You are not charged for using Cloud Backup if you only register a database without creating a backup plan.
Precheck a database to ensure that it can be backed up as expected. Cloud Backup provides the precheck feature to identify issues that may cause backup failure.
Create a backup plan by configuring the backup vault, data source, backup cycle, retention period, and backup policies (such as full backup and incremental backup). Cloud Backup starts the plan and continuously backs up data from the specified database.
Restore a database when needed. You are not charged for restoring a database. If a database exception occurs, restore the database data to the source database or another registered database within the same account in the same region based on recovery points.
Pricing
ECS Database Backup in Cloud Backup incurs two types of fees:
Database backup vault rental fee
Create a database backup vault before you start database backups. Multiple databases in the same region can share a backup vault. Each vault includes a specific amount of free storage. For pricing details, see Pricing.
Database backup storage fee
Storage fees apply when usage exceeds the 100 GB free quota per database backup vault. Storage usage is calculated based on the actual data volume after deduplication and compression. For pricing details, see Pricing.
Next steps
Register your ECS databases for backup: Register a MySQL database (ECS), Register an Oracle database (ECS), and Register a SQL Server database (ECS).
For common questions, see FAQ.
For best practices on using Cloud Backup, see Best practices.