Categories of MySQL Backup Software
The Three Categories of MySQL Backups
While there are a number of MySQL Backup Applications available they all use just one of several methods available for backing up MySQL. There are three types of MySQL backup methods: Legacy, Online, and Continuous Data Protection.
1. Legacy Backup Applications
Examples: mysqldump, mysqlhotcopy, Zmanda Enterprise
Legacy Backup Application Performance
|
|
Backup Method Used
|
Dump / Lock and Copy / Binary Log
|
Hot / Online (Zero Business Interruption)
|
No |
| Backup Type |
Full (incremental with binary log) |
Backup Window Length
|
Hours on Larger Databases
|
Granular Restore
|
No (transactional restore with binary logs)
|
Server Disk I/O & Load Impact
|
Heavy
|
2. Online Backup Applications
Examples: InnoDB commercial ibbackup, Linux LVM Snapshots, Zmanda Enterprise CDP (misleading - really means LVM Snapshots)
Online Backup Application Performance
|
|
Backup Method Used
|
ibbackup (binary log) / Linux LVM (Lock and Snapshot) |
| Hot / Online (Zero Business Interruption) |
Yes |
| Backup Type |
Full |
Backup Window Length
|
Hours on Larger Databases |
| Granular Restore |
No |
| Server Disk I/O & Load Impact |
Heavy
|
3. CDP Backup Applications
Examples: R1Soft is only CDP Backup for MySQL
R1Soft CDP
|
|
Backup Method Used
|
Continuous Data Protection |
| Hot / Online (Zero Business Interruption) |
Yes |
| Backup Type |
Virtual Full
|
Backup Window Length
|
Minutes when CDP is in Sync
|
| Granular Restore |
Yes Table Level for InnoDB and MyISAM
|
| Server Disk I/O & Load Impact |
Minimal = Only Time to Read Deltas
|