Stay organized with collections
Save and categorize content based on your preferences.
The MariaDB Backup API used by Backup and DR includes the following
endpoints:
Linux CBT and LVM snapshot: MariaDB Flush tables with read lockUnlock tables API.
File-based backups: MariaDB mysqldump API. This provides the full
backup of the database in backup format. On recovery, the restore db API
recovers the database by physically overwriting the data area.
MariaDB log backup: During a log backup, Backup and DR physically copies
all the MariaDB binary logs. The MariaDB Purge binary logs before
API is used to purge the binary logs.
How it works: Backup and DR volume-based backup with Linux CBT
Only changed blocks are tracked in the bitmap, there are no copy-on-writes or
I/O-intensive operations.
The following steps describe the process for how to perform data backup and
recovery with volume-based backup images and CBT:
The Backup and DR agent has CBT to track changed blocks in the database data
area.
The agent calls the database API to freeze or pause database for data backup.
Agent creates LVM snapshot of database data area and synthesizes a bitmap.
Agent call to database API to unfreeze database.
Agent copies changed blocks to backup/recovery appliance, which then deletes
the snapshot and catalogs the backup.
The appliance issues an internal snapshot and synthesizes a point-in-time
virtual full backup.
For data recovery, Backup and DR instantly mounts a rewritable staging disk
and brings the database online.
How it works: file-based backup
The following steps describe the process for how to perform data backup and
recovery with file-based backup images:
Backup and DR agent is deployed in the database server.
Mount staging disk on the database server.
Invoke full backup using the dump backup command, writing the backup
to the mounted disk.
Backup and DR takes an internal snapshot.
Log backups are done in a similar fashion directly from the file-system at
any schedule that you configure.
For data recovery, Backup and DR instantly mounts the staging disk to the
database server and initiates the database restore operation.
Logs can be played to any point in time after the database is restored.
This page is one in a series of pages specific to protecting and recovering
MariaDB databases with Backup and DR.
You can find additional information in the following pages:
[[["Easy to understand","easyToUnderstand","thumb-up"],["Solved my problem","solvedMyProblem","thumb-up"],["Other","otherUp","thumb-up"]],[["Hard to understand","hardToUnderstand","thumb-down"],["Incorrect information or sample code","incorrectInformationOrSampleCode","thumb-down"],["Missing the information/samples I need","missingTheInformationSamplesINeed","thumb-down"],["Other","otherDown","thumb-down"]],["Last updated 2025-08-25 UTC."],[[["\u003cp\u003eBackup and DR uses MariaDB APIs like \u003ccode\u003eFlush tables with read lock\u003c/code\u003e, \u003ccode\u003eUnlock tables\u003c/code\u003e, and \u003ccode\u003emysqldump\u003c/code\u003e for Linux CBT, LVM snapshot, and file-based backups.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eVolume-based backups with Linux CBT track changed blocks without copy-on-writes, utilizing LVM snapshots and database APIs to pause/unpause during the backup process.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eFile-based backups employ a staging disk mounted on the database server, where \u003ccode\u003emysqldump\u003c/code\u003e writes the full backup, and log backups are performed directly from the file system.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eRecovery for both volume-based and file-based methods involves instant mounting of a staging disk, with the option to play logs to any point in time after the file-based database is restored.\u003c/p\u003e\n"],["\u003cp\u003eBackup and DR provides comprehensive documentation on protecting and recovering MariaDB databases, including preparation, policy creation, application settings, and workflow creation.\u003c/p\u003e\n"]]],[],null,["# Backup and DR Service for MariaDB\n\nThe MariaDB Backup API used by Backup and DR includes the following\nendpoints:\n\n- **Linux CBT and LVM snapshot** : MariaDB `Flush tables with read lock`\n `Unlock tables` API.\n\n- **File-based backups** : MariaDB `mysqldump` API. This provides the full\n backup of the database in backup format. On recovery, the `restore db` API\n recovers the database by physically overwriting the data area.\n\n- **MariaDB log backup** : During a log backup, Backup and DR physically copies\n all the MariaDB binary logs. The MariaDB `Purge binary logs before`\n API is used to purge the binary logs.\n\nHow it works: Backup and DR volume-based backup with Linux CBT\n--------------------------------------------------------------\n\nOnly changed blocks are tracked in the bitmap, there are no copy-on-writes or\nI/O-intensive operations.\n\nThe following steps describe the process for how to perform data backup and\nrecovery with volume-based backup images and CBT:\n\n1. The Backup and DR agent has CBT to track changed blocks in the database data\n area.\n\n2. The agent calls the database API to freeze or pause database for data backup.\n\n3. Agent creates LVM snapshot of database data area and synthesizes a bitmap.\n\n4. Agent call to database API to unfreeze database.\n\n5. Agent copies changed blocks to backup/recovery appliance, which then deletes\n the snapshot and catalogs the backup.\n\n6. The appliance issues an internal snapshot and synthesizes a point-in-time\n virtual full backup.\n\n7. For data recovery, Backup and DR instantly mounts a rewritable staging disk\n and brings the database online.\n\nHow it works: file-based backup\n-------------------------------\n\nThe following steps describe the process for how to perform data backup and\nrecovery with file-based backup images:\n\n1. Backup and DR agent is deployed in the database server.\n\n2. Mount staging disk on the database server.\n\n3. Invoke full backup using the dump backup command, writing the backup\n to the mounted disk.\n\n4. Backup and DR takes an internal snapshot.\n Log backups are done in a similar fashion directly from the file-system at\n any schedule that you configure.\n\n5. For data recovery, Backup and DR instantly mounts the staging disk to the\n database server and initiates the database restore operation.\n Logs can be played to any point in time after the database is restored.\n\nWhat's next\n-----------\n\n[Prepare the database for Backup and DR](/backup-disaster-recovery/docs/configuration/otherdb-prep-database)\n\nOther documentation for Backup and DR for MariaDB\n-------------------------------------------------\n\nThis page is one in a series of pages specific to protecting and recovering\nMariaDB databases with Backup and DR.\nYou can find additional information in the following pages:\n\n- [Backup and DR for MariaDB](/backup-disaster-recovery/docs/concepts/mariadb-intro)\n- [Prepare the database for Backup and DR](/backup-disaster-recovery/docs/configuration/otherdb-prep-database)\n- [Add a MariaDB database host and discover databases](/backup-disaster-recovery/docs/configuration/otherdb-add-host)\n- [Define policy templates and resource profiles](/backup-disaster-recovery/docs/create-plan/create-template)\n- [Set application details and settings](/backup-disaster-recovery/docs/backup/app-details-settings-otherdb)\n- [Check staging disk format and backup method](/backup-disaster-recovery/docs/backup/backup-method-staging-disk-otherdb)\n- [Protect the MariaDB database and its logs](/backup-disaster-recovery/docs/backup/otherdb-protect)\n- [Mount a MariaDB database](/backup-disaster-recovery/docs/access-data/otherdb-mounts)\n- [Recover MariaDB Backups](/backup-disaster-recovery/docs/restore-data/otherdb-restore)\n- [Create a MariaDB Backup and DR Workflow](/backup-disaster-recovery/docs/access-data/otherdb-workflow)"]]
