ApsaraDB RDS:Cross-region backup

How cross-region backup differs from default backup

Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure that you have:

• A general-purpose or dedicated instance type. Shared instance types are not supported. For details, see Instance families.

• A subscription or pay-as-you-go billing method. Serverless instances are not supported. For details, see Serverless ApsaraDB RDS for SQL Server instances.

• The AliyunServiceRoleForDBS service-linked role created. This role is created automatically the first time you use ApsaraDB RDS backup features.

Billing

Cross-region backup generates the following fees:

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

• Network traffic fee: See Network traffic fees.Network feesNetwork fees

Usage notes

• Cross-region backup runs independently of default backup. Both can be active at the same time.

• A cross-region backup is triggered after each default backup completes. The instance then replicates the backup file to the destination region.

• After you enable cross-region backup, the system checks for valid backup sets from the last 24 hours. If none exist, a full backup runs immediately.

• Only instances running RDS Cluster Edition support cross-region snapshot backup. For a comparison of snapshot and physical backup, see Comparison between snapshot backup and physical backup.

• Cross-region snapshot backup files cannot be downloaded, but can be used to restore data to a new instance. See Restore data across regions.

• After you enable cross-region log backup, the system checks valid backup sets from the last 24 hours:

  • If continuous log files follow the valid backup sets, those log files are replicated to the destination region.

  • If no continuous binary log files exist after the valid backup sets, a backup is triggered on the secondary RDS instance.

Supported regions

The cross-region backup feature is available in the following regions. The destination region must differ from the source region.

Data backup is supported between the Chinese mainland, China (Hong Kong), and regions outside China. The destination region for the backup must be different from the source region.

Enable cross-region backup

1. Log on to the ApsaraDB RDS console. In the left-side navigation pane, click Backups. In the top navigation bar, select the region where your instances reside.

2. On the Cross-region Backup tab, click Pending Instances. Select one or more instances and click Backup Settings.

   Note

   To configure a single instance, click Settings to the right of the instance instead. If an instance does not appear in the list, verify that it meets all requirements in Prerequisites.

3. Set the following parameters and click OK.

   Parameter	Description
   Cross-region Backup Status	Select Enable.
   Backup Region	The destination region where backup files are replicated.
   Cross-region Retention Period	Number of days to retain cross-region backup files. Valid values: 7–1825 (1825 days equals 5 years). After the instance expires or is released, existing cross-region backup files are retained for this full period. To view retained files after an instance is released, go to the Cross-region Backup tab in the ApsaraDB RDS console.
   Cross-region Log Backup Status	Enable to replicate log backup files to an OSS bucket in the destination region.
   Cross-border compliance agreement	Read and accept the agreement.

Modify cross-region backup settings

1. Log on to the ApsaraDB RDS console. In the left-side navigation pane, click Backups. In the top navigation bar, select the region where your instances reside.

2. On the Cross-region Backup tab, click Backup Instances. Find the instance and click Settings in the Cross-region Backup Settings column.

   Note

   If the instance has been released, you can only change the retention period.

3. Update the settings and click OK.

Disable cross-region backup

1. Log on to the ApsaraDB RDS console. In the left-side navigation pane, click Backups. In the top navigation bar, select the region where your instances reside.

2. On the Cross-region Backup tab, click Backup Instances. Find the instance and click Settings in the Cross-region Backup Settings column.

3. Set Cross-region Backup Status to Disabled and Cross-region Retention Period to 7. Click OK.

View and download 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 where your instances reside.

2. On the Cross-region Backup tab, click Backup Instances to see all instances with cross-region backup enabled.

   

3. Click the instance ID. On the instance details page, click the Data Backup or Log Backup tab. Find the backup set and click Download in the Actions column.

   

4. Select I have learnt the billing rules for backup file download. and click Download.

   Note

   For billing details, see Network traffic fees.

What's next

After a cross-region backup completes, restore data to an existing RDS instance or to a new RDS instance that resides in the destination region.

To manage cross-region backup programmatically, use the following API operations:

• CheckCreateDdrDBInstance

• CreateDdrInstance

• ModifyInstanceCrossBackupPolicy

• DescribeInstanceCrossBackupPolicy

• DescribeCrossBackupMetaList

• DescribeCrossRegionBackups

• DescribeCrossRegionLogBackupFiles

• DescribeAvailableCrossRegion

• DescribeCrossRegionBackupDBInstance

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