Database Backup Software - Feature Study

Core and Optional Features of Data backup And Restore

It is imperative to have a backup of the database in case the original is corrupted or lost because of any reason. Using this backup, the database can be recovered as it was before the failure.

Database backup basically means that a duplicate of the database information and data is created and stored in backup server just to be on the safe side. Transaction logs are also stored in the backup along with the database data because without them, the data would be useless.

The restore process involves retrieving the backup copy of the database and restoring it to the original or another server. The restore process can be simple or complex, depending on the backup type and the complexity of the database. It is essential to test the restore process regularly to ensure that the backups are working correctly and the data can be restored in case of a disaster.

Here are some core features of database backup and restore:

BACKUP:

Backup refers to the copying of physical or virtual files or databases to a secondary location for preservation in case of equipment failure or catastrophe. The process of backing up data is pivotal to a successful disaster recovery plan.

Enterprises back up data they deem to be vulnerable in the event of buggy software, data corruption, hardware failure, malicious hacking, user error or other unforeseen events. Backups capture and synchronize a point-in-time snapshot that is then used to return data to its previous state.

A backup process is applied to critical databases or related line-of-business applications. The process is governed by predefined backup policies that specify how frequently the data is backed up and how many duplicate copies -- known as replicas -- are required, as well as by service-level agreements (SLAs) that stipulate how quickly data must be restored.

Best practices suggest a full data backup should be scheduled to occur at least once a week, often during weekends or off-business hours. To supplement weekly full backups, enterprises typically schedule a series of differential or incremental data backup jobs that back up only the data that has changed since the last full backup took place.

Enterprises typically back up key data to dedicated backup disk appliances. Backup software -- either integrated in the appliances or running on a separate server -- manages the process of copying data to the disk appliances. Backup software handles processes such as data deduplication that reduce the amount of physical space required to store data. Backup software also enforces policies that govern how often specific data is backed up, how many copies are made and where backups are stored.

RESTORE:

Data restoration with databases involves the process of retrieving data from a backup and restoring it to the database. This process is essential in cases where data has been lost or corrupted, either accidentally or through a system failure. The specific steps involved in restoring data depend on the database management system being used and the backup tool used to create the backup file.

In general, the restoration process typically involves identifying the most recent backup that contains the data you need to restore, preparing the database to receive the restored data, restoring the backup file to the database, verifying that the restoration was successful, and bringing the database back online. It's important to follow the specific instructions and commands for the database management system and backup tool being used to ensure a successful restoration.

POINT_IN_TIME RECOVERY (PITR):

It provides protection against accidental deletion or writes. For example, if an operator inadvertently writes data or an application rollout corrupts the database, with PITR you can recover the data from a point-in-time in the past (up to a maximum of 7 days) seamlessly. If you need longer-term retention of data, you can use either Backup and Restore or Export and Import.

By default, your database retains all versions of its data and schema for 1 hour. You can increase this time limit to as long as 7 days through the version retention period option. To recover a portion of the database, perform a stale read specifying a query-condition and timestamp in the past, and then write the results back into the live database. This is typically used for surgical operations on a live database. For example, if you accidentally delete a particular row or incorrectly update a subset of data, you can recover it with this method. For instructions, see recovering a portion of your database.

To recover the entire database, backup or export the database specifying a timestamp in the past and then restore or import it to a new database. This is typically used to recover from data corruption issues when you have to revert the database to a point-in-time before the corruption occurred. Note that backing up or exporting a database could take several hours and that you cannot restore or import to an existing database. For instructions, see recovering the entire database.

FULL BACKUP:

Full back up is a type of backup that involves making a complete copy of the entire database at a specific point in time. This means that all the data, tables, and objects in the database are included in the backup.

Full backups are usually performed on a regular basis to ensure that there is a complete copy of the database available in the event of a failure. The frequency of full backups can vary depending on the needs of the organization, but it is generally recommended to perform full backups at least once a week for small to medium-sized databases, and more frequently for larger databases.

Full backups are particularly useful for restoring a database to a previous state after a failure or disaster, as they contain all the data required to fully restore the database. They can also be used for migrating data from one server to another, or for testing and development purposes.

One disadvantage of full backups is that they can take a long time to complete, especially for large databases, and they can require a significant amount of storage space. Incremental backups can be used to address this issue by only backing up the changes made to the database since the last full backup, rather than making a complete copy of the database each time.

INCREMENTAL BACKUP:

Incremental backup is a type of database backup that captures only the changes made to the database since the last backup, either a full or incremental backup. Unlike a full backup that copies the entire database, an incremental backup only copies the data that has changed since the previous backup, which can significantly reduce the backup time and storage space required.

The incremental backup works by creating a baseline backup, which is a complete copy of the database at a specific point in time. After the baseline backup is taken, subsequent backups will only capture the changes made to the database since the last backup. The incremental backup may be scheduled to run automatically at specific intervals, such as daily or weekly, or can be initiated manually.

Incremental backups are useful because they require less storage space than full backups, which can save time and money. Additionally, because the backup only includes changes made since the previous backup, recovery time can be faster, as the database only needs to be restored to the point in time of the last backup.

DIFFERENTIAL BACKUP:

Differential backup copies data changed since the last full backup. This enables a full restore to occur more quickly by requiring only the last full backup and the last differential backup. For example, if you create a full back up on Monday, the Tuesday backup would, at that point, be similar to an incremental backup. Wednesday's backup would then back up the differential that has changed since Monday's full backup. The downside is that progressive growth of differential backups tends to adversely affect your backup window.

A differential backup spawns a file by combining an earlier complete copy of it with one or more incremental copies created later. The assembled file is not a direct copy of any single current or previously created file, but rather synthesized from the original file and any subsequent modifications to that file.

VERIFICATION:

Verification is a process of checking the integrity of the backup data to ensure that it is complete and accurate and can be used to restore the database in the event of a failure. Verification is an essential step in the backup and restore process to prevent the possibility of data loss due to a corrupt or incomplete backup.

The verification process involves comparing the data in the backup file to the data in the original database to ensure that the backup file contains all the necessary data and that it is not corrupted. The verification process may include a range of checks, such as checksums, file size comparisons, and other data validation methods.

Database backup verification is typically performed after a backup has been taken and before it is stored for future use. It can also be scheduled to run automatically as part of the backup process. If a backup fails the verification process, it is considered corrupt, and the backup should be discarded, and a new backup should be taken.

AUTHENTICATION:

The process of verifying the identity of a user, process, or system. It is a critical aspect of database backup and restore as it ensures that only authorized users have access to the data. Databases use different types of authentication mechanisms to control access to their data.

One of the most common authentication mechanisms used by databases username and password authentication. The user is required to provide a valid username and password to access the database. The database verifies the user's credentials against the authentication data stored in its system. If the credentials are valid, the user is granted access to the database.

Another common authentication mechanism used by databases is role-based authentication. In this type of authentication, users are assigned different roles that determine the level of access they have to the database. For example, a database administrator may have full access to the database, while a regular user may only have read-only access.

Some databases also support external authentication mechanisms such as LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) or Active Directory. These authentication mechanisms allow the database to integrate with an organization's existing authentication system, enabling users to log in using their existing credentials.

In addition to authentication, databases also use authorization to control access to data. Authorization determines which users have permission to perform specific actions on the database, such as creating backups or restoring data.

Overall, authentication and authorization are critical components of database backup and restore. By using appropriate authentication mechanisms, databases can ensure that only authorized users have access to the data, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access and data loss.

AUTHORIZATION:

Any databases refer to the process of granting or denying permissions to perform certain operations or access specific data within the database.

This is an important aspect of database security as it helps ensure that only authorized users have access to the database and its contents. In the context of backup and restore, authorization plays a critical role in determining which users have the necessary permissions to perform these operations. Depending on the database management system being used, there may be different authorization mechanisms available to control backup and restore access.

For example, in some database systems, backup and restore operations may require special permissions that are separate from regular read and write permissions. In other systems, backup and restore operations may be considered administrative tasks that require elevated privileges. In general, backup and restore operations should only be performed by authorized personnel who have the appropriate permissions and training to do so.

This helps to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data and ensures that backup and restore operations are performed in a safe and consistent manner. It's also important to note that authorization in databases is not just about granting permissions, but also about ensuring that those permissions are properly managed and revoked when they are no longer needed. This helps to prevent unauthorized access and limit the potential impact of security breaches.

EMAIL AND NOTIFICATION:

They are type of notification that is sent via email to inform the user about a specific event. For example, if a user subscribes to a newsletter, they will receive an email notification every time a new article is published. In contrast, notifications in database backup and restore refer to the alerts that are sent to the administrator when a backup or restore operation is completed or when an error occurs.

The key difference between these two types of notifications is the delivery mechanism. Email notifications are delivered via email, while notifications in database backup and restore are usually delivered via the database management system or an application that is connected to it. The purpose of both types of notifications is to keep the user informed about the progress of a task and to alert them in case of an error.

In real-time, email notifications are generally more immediate, as they are delivered directly to the user's inbox. However, notifications in database backup and restore can be configured to be sent in real-time as well. This allows the administrator to respond quickly to any issues that may arise during the backup or restore process. Overall, both types of notifications are important for keeping users informed and maintaining the integrity of the database.

REPORTING:

In these databases refers to the process of generating, analysing, and visualizing data to gain insights and make informed decisions. In the context of backup and restore, reporting can be used to monitor the status of backup and restore operations, identify potential issues, and optimize backup and restore processes.

Backup and restore status reports: These reports provide an overview of the status of backup and restore operations, including information such as the start and end time of the operation, the success or failure of the operation, and any errors or warnings encountered during the operation.

Backup and restore performance reports: These reports provide information about the performance of backup and restore operations, such as the time required to complete the operation, the amount of data backed up or restored, and the rate of data transfer.

Backup and restore history reports: These reports provide a historical view of backup and restore operations over a given period of time. This can be useful for identifying trends, identifying areas for improvement, and tracking compliance with backup and restore policies.

Backup and restore compliance reports: These reports provide information about compliance with backup and restore policies and regulations, such as data retention policies or data privacy regulations.

Reporting can be done using a variety of tools, including built-in reporting features in database management systems, third-party reporting tools, or custom-built reporting solutions. When implementing reporting for backup and restore, it is important to consider factors such as the type of data being backed up, the backup and restore strategies being used, and the specific reporting needs of different stakeholders, such as database administrators, IT managers, or business analysts.

MULTITENANCY:

Multitenancy in databases refers to the ability of a database system to host multiple, independent tenants, or clients, within a single database instance. Each tenant is typically isolated from one another, with their own dedicated set of tables, views, and other database objects.

In the context of backup and restore, multitenancy presents several unique challenges. For example, when performing a backup or restore operation, it is important to ensure that the data of each tenant is properly isolated and not mixed with the data of other tenants.

One approach to achieving this is to use backup and restore tools that are specifically designed to support multitenancy. These tools may provide features such as the ability to back up or restore data for individual tenants, the ability to encrypt or mask data for different tenants, or the ability to schedule backups and restores for different tenants on a customized basis.

Another approach to multitenancy in backup and restore is to implement a backup and restore strategy that takes into account the specific requirements of each tenant. For example, you may need to implement different backup and restore schedules, retention periods, or recovery objectives for different tenants based on their unique needs and usage patterns.

This includes implementing appropriate access controls, monitoring and auditing backup and restore operations, and establishing clear policies and procedures for handling backup and restore requests from different tenants.

Here are some Optional features of database backup and restore:

The optional features of database backup and recovery may vary depending on the specific database management system being used, but some common ones include:

COMPRESSION:

Compression in data backup and restore is the process of reducing the size of the backup file by compressing the data before it is written to disk. This can be done using various compression algorithms that eliminate redundant data and represent the remaining data more efficiently. By compressing backup data, storage space is saved, and the backup process can complete faster.

Compression is an important feature of backup and restore because database backups can take up significant amount of storage space. As databases grow in size, the amount of storage space required for backups also increases, and storage costs can become significant. Compression helps to reduce these costs by reducing the amount of space required for backups.

HIGH AVAILABILITY:

You can cluster Database Servers in the same location to allow for automatic failover. A cluster includes an active Database Server and a passive Database Server. The passive Database Server provides redundancy and is dormant unless a failure occurs on the active Database Server. SL1 uses block-level replication to ensure that the data on each Database Server's primary file system is identical and that each Database Server is ready for failover if necessary. If the active Database Server fails, the passive Database Server automatically becomes active and performs all required database tasks. The previously passive Database Server remains active until another failure occurs.

Each database cluster uses a virtual IP address that is always associated with the primary Database Server. No reconfiguration of Administration Portals is required in

REPLICATION:

Replication is the process of copying or mirroring data from one database to another in real-time. It is a crucial aspect of database backup and restore as it ensures that the backup database is always up-to-date with the primary database. Replication is often used to create a standby or secondary database for disaster recovery or to distribute workload across multiple servers.

In database backup and restore, replication allows for faster and more efficient data recovery. If the primary database fails, the secondary database can be quickly switched over to take over its role, ensuring minimal downtime and data loss. Replication also helps in distributing the backup workload across multiple servers, reducing the risk of data loss due to hardware failure.

Replication can be performed using various methods, including log shipping, database mirroring, and transactional replication. Each method has its own advantages and disadvantages and is used based on the specific needs of the organization. Regardless of the method used, replication is an essential part of database backup and restore, providing a reliable and efficient way to ensure data availability and disaster recovery.

CLOUD BACKUP:

Cloud backup in database backup and restore refers to the process of storing database backups on remote cloud servers instead of local storage. This is done to ensure that the backup data is available and accessible from anywhere in the world, in case of data loss, disaster, or other unexpected events. Cloud backup provides a reliable and secure way to store data, as it is protected by encryption and advanced security measures.

The process of cloud backup involves uploading the database backup files to a cloud storage service, such as Amazon S3, Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud Storage. This can be done manually, or through automated backup solutions that can schedule backups and upload them to the cloud on a regular basis. Once the data is stored in the cloud, it can be easily restored to the original or another server, in case of data loss or corruption.

LOG SHIPPING:

Log shipping is a technique used in database backup and restore processes to provide disaster recovery capabilities for critical databases. It involves automatically sending transaction log backups from a primary database to one or more secondary databases, which are then restored to keep them up-to-date with the primary database.

The process starts with setting up a primary database, a secondary database, and a monitor server that tracks the status of the backup and restore operations. The primary database is configured to create transaction log backups at regular intervals, which are then copied to the secondary database and restored.

The restored transaction logs bring the secondary database up-to-date with the primary database. In case of a failure or disaster on the primary database, the secondary database can be promoted to become the new primary database, ensuring that business operations can continue with minimal disruption.

Log shipping is a cost-effective and efficient way to provide disaster recovery capabilities for critical databases, as it requires minimal administrative effort and can be automated using various tools and scripts.

Thank you

M. Nishitha (Intern)

Guard Innovators,

Data Guard Team,

Enterprise Minds.