PolarDB automatically backs up your cluster data once a day by default. You can configure the backup frequency, log backup settings, and retention period in the PolarDB console to match your recovery requirements.
Automatic backup files cannot be deleted manually. To control how long backup files are retained, set the retention period in the Data Backup Retention Period section of the Backup Policy Settings dialog box.
Backup storage costs
PolarDB uses snapshot-based backups. When you modify data after a snapshot is taken, the snapshot stores only the changed blocks — you are charged for both the original data and the incremental changes.
Example: Your database contains 100 GB of data. After a snapshot is taken, you modify 10 GB of that data.
You are charged for 100 GB of data storage and 10 GB of snapshot storage.
If you retain the snapshots when you delete the database, you are charged for 100 GB of snapshot storage.
Defragmentation operations may cause data modifications, which also increases snapshot size.
To reduce backup storage costs, set a shorter retention period. Fewer retained snapshots mean lower storage costs. After a cluster is deleted, level-1 backups automatically become level-2 backups, which may continue to incur charges. To stop these charges, delete the released cluster from the Cluster Recycle Bin page.
Configure an automatic backup policy
Prerequisites
Before you begin, make sure you have:
A PolarDB cluster
The permissions required to modify backup settings
Procedure
Log on to the PolarDB console.
In the upper-left corner, select the region where the cluster is deployed.
Find the cluster and click its ID.
In the left-side navigation pane, choose Settings and Management > Backup and Restoration.
On the Backup Policy Settings tab, click Modify.
In the Backup Policy Settings dialog box, configure the parameters in the Data Backup, Log Backup, and General sections. For parameter descriptions, see Configure backup settings.
Click OK.
FAQ
After a cluster is released and deleted, level-2 backup fees are still generated. How do I delete or disable the generated level-2 backup files?
When you delete a cluster, its level-1 backups automatically become level-2 backups. To stop the charges, go to the Cluster Recycle Bin page to view all backups and delete the released cluster. For more information about the recycle bin, see Cluster recycle bin.
API reference
| Operation | Description |
|---|---|
| CreateBackup | Creates a full backup of a PolarDB cluster. |
| DescribeBackups | Queries the backup information of a PolarDB cluster. |
| DeleteBackup | Deletes the backups of a PolarDB cluster. |
| DescribeBackupPolicy | Queries the automatic backup policy of a PolarDB cluster. |
| ModifyBackupPolicy | Modifies the automatic backup policy of a PolarDB cluster. |