ApsaraDB RDS:Use the cross-region backup feature

Differences between cross-region backups and default backups

Prerequisites

• The RDS PostgreSQL instance must meet the following conditions:

  • Premium Local SSDs: PostgreSQL 9.4, 10 (High-availability Edition)

  • Cloud disks: PostgreSQL 10 or later (Serverless instances are not supported)

• If you are using the RDS backup service for the first time, you need to use your Alibaba Cloud account to complete the Data Disaster Recovery service-linked role (AliyunServiceRoleForDBS) authorization.

• The instance is not using a new general-purpose instance type.

  Note

  New general-purpose instance types provide better elasticity and higher instance performance, improving the speed of instance creation and specification changes. However, current adaptation is incomplete, and cross-region backup is not yet supported.

• For RDS PostgreSQL instances with disk encryption enabled, before enabling cross-region backup, you need to activate your Alibaba Cloud account information in the destination region. For activation methods, see FAQ.

Billing rules

Usage notes

• Cross-region backup does not affect default backup. Both can exist simultaneously (local backups are copied to another region).

• Cross-region backup is triggered after the default backup is completed, meaning the default backup is dumped to the cross-region backup storage device.

• When enabling cross-region backup, if there are no valid backup sets in the last 24 hours, a backup of the secondary database will be triggered.

Supported backup links and regions

Due to network reasons, the cross-region backup feature supports a limited number of regions, as detailed below:

Enable the cross-region backup feature

1. Log on to the ApsaraDB RDS console. In the left-side navigation pane, click Instances. In the top navigation bar, select the region in which your RDS instance resides.

2. Find the target instance and choose More > Cross-region Backup Settings in the Actions column.

   Note

   • You can also go to the target instance, find the Backup and Restoration page, click the Backup Settings tab, locate the Cross-region Backup Settings option, and then click Edit.

   • If the Cross-region Backup Settings option is not displayed, confirm whether your instance meets the prerequisites.

3. Configure the following parameters, select the billing and compliance statements, and click OK.

   Parameter	Description
   Cross-region Backup	The main switch for cross-region backup. Select Enable.
   Backup Region	The region currently available for storing backups. Local backup files will be automatically copied to this region.
   Cross-region Backup Retention Policy	Cross-region backup files can be retained for 7 to 1,825 days, which is up to 5 years. Note Even if the RDS instance expires or is released, the retention period of the cross-region backup files is not affected. You can view unexpired backup files in the Backup and Restoration > Cross-region Backups of the target instance.
   Cross-region Log Backup Status	The switch for cross-region log backup. When enabled, local log backup files are automatically copied to OSS in the destination region.

   Important

   If the cross-region backup feature fails to enable for an RDS PostgreSQL cloud disk instance (with disk encryption enabled), it may be because your Alibaba Cloud account information has not been activated in the destination region. See FAQ for instructions on how to resolve this issue before enabling it again.

Modify cross-region backup settings

You can modify cross-region backup policies, such as the destination region for storing backups and the retention period for cross-region backup sets.

1. Log on to the ApsaraDB RDS console, click Backup Management in the navigation pane on the left, and then select a region in the top navigation bar.

2. On the Cross-region Backup > Backup Instances tab, find the target instance and click Settings in the rightmost column to modify the cross-region backup settings.

   Note

   If the instance has been released, you can only modify the retention period. Other options cannot be modified.

Disable the cross-region backup feature

You can disable the cross-region backup feature at any time as needed.

1. Log on to the ApsaraDB RDS console, click Backup Management in the navigation pane on the left, and then select a region in the top navigation bar.

2. On the Cross-region Backup > Backup Instances tab, find the target instance and click Settings in the rightmost column.

3. Change Cross-region Backup Status to Disabled and change Cross-region Retention Period to 7 days.

   Note

   After disabling cross-region backup, no new backups will be generated, and you will no longer be charged for traffic fees. However, old backups will not be deleted immediately. According to the backup policy, backups will be retained for at least 7 days. You can set the cross-region backup retention period to 7 days, and after 7 days, all backup files will be automatically purged, and you will no longer be charged for cross-region backup fees.

Download cross-region backup sets

After completing cross-region backup in the RDS console, you can download the cross-region stored backup data.

1. Log on to the ApsaraDB RDS console, click Backup Management in the navigation pane on the left, and then select a region in the top navigation bar.

2. On the Cross-region Backup > Backup Instances tab, find the target instance and click the instance ID.

3. On the Data Backup and Log Backup tabs, click Download in the row of the backup to download full backup sets and incremental backup data respectively.

4. Read and select the relevant agreement, and click Download.

   Note

   When downloading backup files, internal network traffic is free, while external network traffic is charged. For pricing details, see Network traffic fees.

References

• If you have completed cross-region backup, you can restore data across regions to a new instance or an existing instance in the destination region. For more information, see Restore data across regions.

• You can also perform cross-region backup operations directly through API:

  • CheckCreateDdrDBInstance - Precheck whether an instance can be restored across regions

  • CreateDdrInstance - Restore data across regions to a new instance

  • ModifyInstanceCrossBackupPolicy - Modify RDS cross-region backup settings

  • DescribeInstanceCrossBackupPolicy - Query cross-region backup settings

  • DescribeCrossBackupMetaList - Query database and table information of instance cross-region backups

  • DescribeCrossRegionBackups - Query the list of cross-region data backup files for an RDS instance

  • DescribeCrossRegionLogBackupFiles - Query the list of cross-region log backup files

  • DescribeAvailableCrossRegion - Query available destination regions for cross-region backup

  • DescribeCrossRegionBackupDBInstance - Query instances with cross-region backup enabled

FAQ