This topic describes how to back up an ApsaraDB RDS for PostgreSQL instance. ApsaraDB RDS for PostgreSQL supports automatic backups and manual backups. You can configure a backup policy that allows the system to automatically back up your RDS instance. You can also manually back up your RDS instance.
For more information about how to back up an RDS instance that runs a different database engine, see the following topics:
The automatic backup feature that is provided by ApsaraDB RDS stores backup files in the same region as your RDS instance. If you want to store backup files to a region that is different from the region of your RDS instance, follow the instructions provided in Use the cross-region backup feature.
Backup description
Data backup | Log backup |
Data backups are copies of the data of your RDS instance. Physical backups and snapshot backups are supported. You can use these backups to restore the data of your RDS instance. For more information, see Restore data of an ApsaraDB RDS for PostgreSQL instance. Your RDS instance automatically performs physical backups or snapshot backups based on the type of storage type that you use.
Note You can download full physical backup files and snapshot backup files. For more information, see Download backup files. | Log backups are copies of the archived log files of your RDS instance. Note If your RDS instance runs RDS Basic Edition, log backups are not supported. |
Prerequisites
The AliyunServiceRoleForDBS service-linked role is created by using your Alibaba Cloud account if you use the backup feature of ApsaraDB RDS for the first time. For more information, see How do I create a service-linked role for DBS?
Usage notes
Do not execute DDL statements during a backup operation. If DDL statements are executed during a backup operation, the relevant tables are locked and the backup operation fails.
We recommend that you back up your RDS instance during off-peak hours.
If your RDS instance has a large amount of data, a backup may require a long period of time.
Backup files are retained for a specified period of time. Before the specified retention period elapses, we recommend that you download the backup files to your computer.
Billing rules
Each RDS instance is allocated a free quota for backup storage. If the backup storage of your RDS instance does not exceed the free quota, you are not charged for backup storage. If the backup storage exceeds the free quota, you are charged for the excess storage that you use. For more information about the free quota and billing rules, see Backup storage fees.
Configure automatic backups
After you configure a backup policy for your RDS instance, the system regularly backs up the RDS instance based on the backup policy. In some regions, you can use the spare backup feature of RDS instances that use cloud disks by enabling the advanced backup settings on the Backup Strategy tab. If you cannot find the entry point to enable the advanced backup settings on the Backup Strategy tab, submit an application. For more information, see Switch to the advanced backup settings and Use the sparse backup feature. After you enable the advanced backup settings, the entry point to configure backup policies and the method to configure some parameters are changed. You must configure the backup policies and parameters based on your business requirements.
Regular backup (before the upgrade)
Go to the Instances page. In the top navigation bar, select the region in which the RDS instance resides. Then, find the RDS instance and click the ID of the instance.
In the left-side navigation pane, click Backup and Restoration.
On the Backup and Restoration page, click the Backup Strategy tab. In the Data Backup Settings section, click Edit.
In the dialog box that appears, configure the following parameters and click Save.
Table 1. Data backup settings
Instance category
Parameter
Description
RDS instances that use cloud disks
Snapshot Backup Period
The cycle based on which you want to perform a backup. You can select one or more days of the week.
NoteFor data security purposes, we recommend that you select at least two days of the week.
Single-digit Second Backup
Specifies whether to enable the single-digit second backup feature. If you enable this feature, the system completes each backup in 1 second.
NoteIf you enable this feature, the system performs a single-digit second backup on the RDS instance based on the backup period and backup time that you specified.
If you enable this feature, each manual backup is performed as a single-digit second backup. For more information, see Manually back up an RDS instance.
The retention period of backup files that are generated by the single-digit second backup feature is fixed as seven days.
Snapshot Backup Start Time
Specifies the period of time during which a data backup operation is performed. For example, you can set this parameter to 06:00-07:00. We recommend that you select an off-peak hour.
Increase Snapshot Frequency
The frequency at which snapshot backups are created. This feature enables you to configure a shorter interval to create snapshots by using the single-digit second backup feature, which increases the frequency of the snapshots. You can increase the frequency to up to once every 15 minutes. For more information, see Use the high-frequency snapshot backup feature.
NoteIf you want to enable the Increase Snapshot Frequency feature, you must enable the Single-digit Second Backup feature. If the Single-digit Second Backup feature is disabled, the system automatically enables the Single-digit Second Backup feature when you enable the Increase Snapshot Frequency feature.
Snapshot Backup Retention (Days)
The number of days for which you want to retain data backup files. Valid values: 7 to 730. Default value: 7. Unit: days.
NoteThis parameter takes effect only for data backup files that are generated from standard backups. This parameter does not take effect for data backup files that are generated from single-digit second backups.
Fast Restoration
Specifies whether to enable the fast restoration feature for individual databases and tables for your RDS instance. If you enable the feature, you can restore a specified database to the original RDS instance by backup set or point in time without the need to restore all data. This feature can be used in scenarios such as quick restoration after misoperations and historical data analysis. For more information, see Restore individual databases and tables of an ApsaraDB RDS for PostgreSQL instance.
NoteThe fast restoration feature for individual databases and tables is unavailable in some Alibaba Cloud regions.
RDS instance that uses local disks
Data Backup Retention (Days)
The number of days for which you want to retain data backup files. Valid values: 7 to 730. Default value: 7. Unit: days.
Backup Cycle
The cycle based on which you want to perform a backup. You can select one or more days of the week.
NoteThe cycle based on which you want to perform a backup. You can select one or more days of the week.
Backup Time
Specifies the period of time during which a data backup operation is performed. For example, you can set this parameter to 06:00-07:00. We recommend that you select an off-peak hour.
Table 2. Log backup settings
Parameter
Description
Log Backup
Specifies whether to enable the log backup feature. After this feature is enabled, you can restore the data of your RDS instance to a specified point in time.
ImportantIf you disable this feature, all log backup files are deleted and you cannot restore the data of the RDS instance to a specified point in time.
Log Backup Retention Period
The log backup retention period. Default value: 7. Unit: days.
The log backup retention period must be less than or equal to the data backup retention period. Valid values: 7 to 7300. Unit: days.
Sparse backup (after the upgrade)
Go to the Instances page. In the top navigation bar, select the region in which the RDS instance resides. Then, find the RDS instance and click the ID of the instance.
In the left-side navigation pane, click Backup and Restoration.
On the Backup and Restoration page, click the Backup Strategy tab and click the circled number between PostgreSQL and level-1 Backup.
Configure the following parameters and click OK.
Table 3. Data backup settings
Instance category
Parameter
Description
RDS instances that use cloud disks
Backup Policy
The time range within which the backup is performed and the retention period of the backup sets. The backup must be performed at least twice a week.
NoteYou can click Add Backup Policy to configure the sparse backup feature. This way, you can configure backup policies in a more flexible manner and retain the minimum number of backup sets. For more information, see Use the sparse backup feature.
Single-digit Second Backup
Specifies whether to enable the single-digit second backup feature. If you enable this feature, the system completes each backup in 1 second.
NoteIf you enable this feature, the system performs a single-digit second backup on the RDS instance based on the backup period and backup time that you specified.
If you enable this feature, each manual backup is performed as a single-digit second backup. For more information, see Manually back up an RDS instance.
The retention period of backup files that are generated by the single-digit second backup feature is fixed as seven days.
Snapshot Backup Start Time
Specifies the period of time during which a data backup operation is performed. For example, you can set this parameter to 06:00-07:00. We recommend that you select an off-peak hour.
Table 4. Log backup settings
Parameter
Description
Log Backup
Specifies whether to enable the log backup feature. After this feature is enabled, you can restore the data of your RDS instance to a specified point in time.
ImportantIf you disable this feature, all log backup files are deleted and you cannot restore the data of the RDS instance to a specified point in time.
Log Backup Retention Period
The log backup retention period. The log backup retention period must be less than or equal to the data backup retention period. Valid values: 7 to 7300. Unit: days. Default value: 7.
Click Save in the lower-left corner of the Backup Strategy tab.
Manually back up an RDS instance
Go to the Instances page. In the top navigation bar, select the region in which the RDS instance resides. Then, find the RDS instance and click the ID of the instance.
In the upper-right corner of the page, click Backup Instance. In the dialog box that appears, click OK.
Optional. In the upper-right corner of the page, click the
icon. On the Tasks page, set the Task Type parameter to Manual Backup to view the progress of the backup task. 
NoteAfter the backup task is complete, you can download the backup file on the Data Backup or Log Backup tab under the Base Backups tab of the Backup and Restoration page. Some RDS instances do not support the download of backup files. These RDS instances include RDS instances that use cloud disks. For more information, see Download backup files.
FAQ
Can I disable the data backup feature for my RDS instance?
No, you cannot disable the log backup feature for your RDS instance. You can reduce the backup frequency to at least twice a week.
Can I disable the log backup feature for my RDS instance?
Yes, you can disable the log backup feature for your RDS instance. To disable the feature, log on to the ApsaraDB RDS console, go to the Backup Settings tab of your RDS instance, and then modify the backup settings.
Related operations
Operation | Description |
Creates data backup files for an instance. | |
Queries the data backups of an instance. | |
Queries the backup settings of an instance. | |
Modifies the backup settings of an instance. | |
Deletes the data backup files of an instance. | |
Queries the backup tasks of an instance. | |
Queries the binary log files of an instance. |