This topic provides answers to some frequently asked questions (FAQ) about database backup.
What is a database backup vault?
Before you create a backup plan to back up a database, you must create a backup vault for the database.
A database backup vault is a storage vault that stores the backup data of your database. When you use the database backup feature, you are charged for the rental of database backup vaults and the storage usage. For more information, see Billing methods and billable items.
How does Cloud Backup clear expired database backup files?
To perform an incremental backup, cumulative incremental backup, and log backup, Cloud Backup obtains the most recent backup files of full backup, incremental backup, cumulative incremental backup, and log backup. All backup files in a backup chain are retained in the backup vault until the last backup file expires. The backup files occupy backup space. We recommend that you configure a reasonable backup cycle and expiration time.
For example, you perform a full backup on September 1 and perform an incremental backup every day from September 2 to 7, and the backup data is retained for seven days. In this case, the backup data from September 1 to 7 is retained until September 14 when all backup files expire.
What do I do if the error message "The difference between the request time and the current time is too large" appears?
Cause: The difference between the time of the server where the backup client is installed and the time of the Cloud Backup backend server is more than 15 minutes.
Solution: We recommend that you check the local server time (time zone) and the NTP configuration. If an issue is found, modify the settings and restart the backup client.
What do I do if an error occurs when I back up an SQL Server database?
If one of the following error messages appears in the backup logs when you use Cloud Backup to back up an SQL Server database, resolve the error based on the corresponding solution.
Error message: The account does not have the required permissions.
Cause: The account does not have the permissions required to back up the SQL Server database.
Solution: Check the backup account and the permissions of the account. For more information, see Step 2: Create a backup account and configure permissions.
Error message: Unable to overwrite files.
Cause: The recovery path of the SQL Server database is occupied by another database.
Solution: Cloud Backup does not support the modification of the recovery path.
Error message: The SQL Server database does not exist. Enter a valid database name.
Cause: The SQL Server database does not exist.
Solution: Check whether the specified database exists.
Error message: The database is included in a database mirroring session or availability group. Some operations are not allowed to be performed on databases that are included in database mirroring sessions or availability groups.
Cause: SQL Server AlwaysOn is enabled for the SQL Server database.
Solution: Disable replica synchronization or mirroring.
Error message: The database is set up for database mirroring or is added to an availability group. If you want to restore the database, execute the ALTER DATABASE statement to delete the image or remove the database from the availability group.
Cause: SQL Server AlwaysOn is enabled for the SQL Server database.
Solution: Disable replica synchronization or mirroring.