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    Database Backup:What is DBS?

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    Database Backup:What is DBS?

    Last Updated:Feb 06, 2024

    Database Backup (DBS) is a cost-effective and highly reliable cloud-native database backup platform that is provided by Alibaba Cloud. DBS supports nearly 10 types of data sources such as MySQL, SQL Server, and Oracle databases. DBS also supports various environments where databases are deployed, such as ApsaraDB, Elastic Compute Service (ECS) instances, data centers, and cloud platforms provided by other cloud service providers. DBS can be accessed by using methods such as Database Gateway (DG), Express Connect, and VPN Gateway. This reduces the time and cost consumed for data backup.

    Tutorial video

    DBS architecture

    1

    Why DBS?

    Compared with traditional data backup methods, DBS provides unlimited backup storage, quick emergency recovery (within seconds), and recovery drills for dozens of mainstream database types. DBS activates cold data by creating sandbox instances within seconds and querying backup data. The following table describes the benefits of DBS.

    Benefit

    Description

    Low recovery point objective (RPO) and recovery time objective (RTO)

    DBS uses the log parsing and synchronization technologies of databases. This helps your business achieve the RPO and RTO within seconds.

    Cost-effectiveness

    Cloud storage is flexible and easy-to-use, and can be extended in unlimited scenarios. DBS supports the pay-as-you-go billing method.

    Verifiability and ease of use

    DBS restores data to ApsaraDB RDS and integrates with Data Lake Analytics (DLA) to support queries on backup data.

    Security and reliability

    DBS uses Apsara Distributed File System to provide a highly reliable and comprehensive data encryption system.

    For more information about DBS, see Benefits and Common scenarios.

    How to use DBS

    You can use the following methods to back up data, restore data, and query backup data in DBS:

    • DBS console: The DBS console provides an easy-to-use web-based GUI. For more information, go to the DBS console.

    • Getting started: This guide describes how to purchase and configure a backup schedule. For more information, see Get started with DBS.

    • SDK: The operations that are available in the DBS console can be performed by using SDKs. For more information, see SDK Reference.

    • API: The operations that are available in the DBS console can be performed by using API operations. For more information, see List of operations by function.

    More information

    You can click a tab to show the details and click that tab again to hide the details.

    DBS pricing

    For more information, see Billing overview.

    Concepts

    You can make better use of DBS by understanding the following concepts:

    • Logical backup, physical backup, and snapshot-based backup

      • Logical backup: backs up database objects. The backup content includes database objects such as tables, indexes, and stored procedures. Database objects include MySQL mysqldump and Oracle exp and imp.

      • Physical backup: backs up database files. The backup content includes database files on the operating system such as MySQL XtraBackup and Oracle RMAN.

      • Snapshot-based backup: a fully usable copy of the specified dataset that is obtained based on the snapshot technology. You can choose to maintain snapshots only on your computer, or perform cross-machine backup for the snapshots created by using systems such as Veritas File System, Linux LVM, and NetApp NAS.

        Note

        Database Backup (DBS) does not support snapshots.

    • Data amount: Database backup scenarios involve the following concepts: database disk space, data file size, backup data size, and storage data size. For more information, see Data amount.

    • Built-in storage and OSS: DBS allows you to back up and restore databases. You can restore backup data to cloud storage that includes built-in storage and Object Storage Service (OSS). For more information, see Built-in storage and OSS.

    Supported databases

    For more information, see Database engines and features.

    FAQ and troubleshooting

    When you use DBS, you may encounter various issues. For example, you may need to change the backup source, restore a database that failed to be restored, or back up a read-only ApsaraDB RDS instance. For more information about answers to frequently asked questions about DBS, see FAQ or Common Errors and Troubleshooting.

    Note

    If you cannot find solutions to your issue or the issue persists after troubleshooting, you can join the DBS DingTalk group whose ID is 35585947 for technical support.