To prevent data loss caused by accidental deletion of files or server poisoning, we recommend that you use Cloud Backup to back up important data. You are not charged for activating Cloud Backup. If you do not perform backup operations, no fees are incurred and you do not need to deactivate Cloud Backup. This topic describes how to activate Cloud Backup.
Prerequisites
An Alibaba Cloud account is created and real-name verification is completed. To create an Alibaba Cloud account, visit the Alibaba Cloud official website. To view the documentation, see Create an Alibaba Cloud account.
Background information
Cloud Backup is a fully-managed online backup service that allows you to back up data to the cloud in a convenient, efficient, and secure manner. You can use Cloud Backup to back up Elastic Compute Service (ECS) instances, ECS-hosted databases, ECS files, Apsara File Storage NAS (NAS) file systems, and Object Storage Service (OSS) buckets. You can also use Cloud Backup to back up files, databases, virtual machines (VMs), and large-scale file systems from self-managed data centers. Cloud Backup allows you to implement disaster recovery and archive data based on the archive policies that you configure for the preceding resources.
Billing
If you only activate Cloud Backup and do not perform backup operations, no fees are incurred. Fees are incurred only when you perform backup operations in the Cloud Backup console. For more information, see Billing methods and billable items.
For more information about the causes for being billed, see Query bills and resource usage.
Cloud Backup provides the following backup orchestration services based on the snapshot feature: ECS instance backup and disk backup. If you need to back up ECS instances and disks, you must activate the snapshot service. When you back up ECS instances and disks for the first time, you can follow the instructions to activate the snapshot service. The snapshot fee is included into your snapshot service bill. For more information, see Snapshots.
If you enable the anti-ransomware feature in Alibaba Cloud Security Center, Cloud Backup is automatically activated and you will receive a text message. If you do not perform backup operations in the Cloud Backup console, you are not charged for using Cloud Backup.
Activate Cloud Backup
You only need to activate Cloud Backup once.
Log on to the Alibaba Cloud official website (alibabacloud.com).
In the Alibaba Cloud Management Console, select Cloud Backup.
On the activation page of Cloud Backup, read and select Cloud Backup Agreement, and then click Activate Service.
After you activate Cloud Backup, the Cloud Backup console prompts that you have activated Cloud Backup. Then, you can perform backup operations.
NoteIf you only activate Cloud Backup, no data is backed up. We recommend that you use the features of Cloud Backup to back up important data. If you do not back up data, the data that is lost or accidentally deleted cannot be restored.
Deactivate Cloud Backup
ImportantAfter you activate Cloud Backup, you cannot deactivate the service. If you no longer need to use Cloud Backup, you must delete resources such as backup vaults, backup plans, and Cloud Backup clients. You are still charged on the day you delete the resources. However, you are not charged on the next day. Bills are no longer generated for Cloud Backup two days after you delete the resources. For more information, see How do I stop being billed for Cloud Backup? Data cannot be restored after its backup is deleted.
For more information about the causes for being billed, see Query bills and resource usage.
References
Cloud Backup provides resource plans for various backup scenarios so that you can enjoy higher discounts and minimize your costs. For more information, see Purchase resource plans.
Cloud Backup allows you to back up the MySQL, Oracle, and SQL Server databases that are deployed on ECS instances and on-premises servers. For more information about the procedure, pricing, and benefits of database backup, see Overview (ECS-hosted databases) and Overview (on-premises databases).