MySQL database backups are an essential part of any company's infrastructure but only when required because compared to regular backups, they are not universal. However, if a company stops its databases for a long period, it may paralyze the business, which could lead to loss of income among other nuances. For this reason, many of the companies opt to go for universal MySQL backup systems such as the Bacula MySQL with its Percona module that comes with the shortest Recovery Time Objective (RTO).
The enterprise module for Bacula MySQL backups enables users to perform user-friendly and efficient backups. It also makes working with different MySQL databases possible without knowing about the methods and nuances that come with hard scripts. The Bacula MySQL backup module enterprise's main purpose is to make both the backup and restoration processes faster and easier all at the same time. The module can perform various functions that include automatically backing up vital system data and configuration files. The two primary backup methods are binary and dump.
Comparison Table for Binary and Dump Backup Method
Another benefit of using the Bacula MySQL backup is the ability to choose between the binary and dumb backup methods. The two backup techniques are different, with each one only suitable for some specific cases only. For example, the binary approach provides a broader backup capacity than the dump mode, and it has a much faster process for backing up and restoring files.
The binary technique cannot restore data to either older or newer MySQL versions, while the dump technique enables single object restoration that requires editing the file beforehand. Restoring an SQL dump file to the more recent MySQL version is not easy, especially for users with little or no experience. Moreover, it may also lead to the loss of some of the newest features introduced recently into the system.
The following comparison table gives you an idea of how different the two backup techniques work.
| Capabilities | Binary | Dump |
|---|---|---|
| Backup size | Big | Small |
| Backup speed | Fast | Slow |
| Ability to restore at any time | Yes | Yes |
| Consistency | Yes | Yes |
| Online backup | Yes | Yes |
| Restoring to newer MySQL version | No | Yes |
| Restoring to previous MySQL version | No | Yes |
| Restore speed | Fast | Very Slow |
| Single object restore | No | Yes |
| Incremental and differential types support | Yes | Yes |
How Binary Backup Method Works
The entire binary mode process is much easier than the dump method. It interacts with Percona XtraBackup, an open-source backup utility that can continue with the backup process without stopping the database beforehand. Working in collaboration with Percona XtraBackup also ensures the consistency of the backup. Besides working with all Percona servers with XtraDB, other applicable data sources include MyISAM, XtraDB, InnoDB, and unmodified MySQL.
Pros
- Gets full back up by working independently from the backup method
- The simplest and fastest way to obtain an incremental backup
Cons
- It does not work by just copying it to the right place; therefore, you need to apply it
- It can be extremely large for some workloads because it includes updated and inserted rows that you later delete or update
How Dump Backup Mode Works
Even though the dump backup mode comes with a few nuances, it is the more basic of the two and relevant in some specific cases. The technique relies on log files created during the Bacula MySQL database existence process and utilizing the same logs to perform various functions with your data using the point-in-time recovery system. Some of the feats performed by the logs include protection and replication.
The idea is to dump the databases separately, which leads to inconsistency if you restore databases backed before at different periods without any consistency between them. If you are working with several databases all at once. This default backup method becomes very useful, and Bacula MySQL saves the log files generated during the backup process and play them back, ensuring consistency.
Pros
- Allows only table structure backups
- More flexibility in what you backup
- Easier to restore into any MySQL variant version
- They do not include indexes, making them smaller than other backup modes
Cons
- Much slower and not consistent
- Requires executing queries to restore
- Requires extra work to make a dumb increment
Wrapping it up
Bacula MySQL is an open-source innovative and modern backup solution that offers backup flexibility and efficiency to medium and large companies. It covers various technologies in a data center or IT department, irrespective of whether they are old or new. Bacula MySQL backup has much higher security, low maintenance and comes at much lower costs.