How do you perform the compressed back of the InnoDB Cluster?

Performing a compressed backup of an InnoDB Cluster involves using tools that are compatible with MySQL's Group Replication feature and support backup compression. One widely used tool for this purpose is Percona XtraBackup. Here's how to perform a compressed backup of an InnoDB Cluster using XtraBackup:

1. Install Percona XtraBackup

• Ensure Percona XtraBackup is installed on the node where you want to take the backup. It can be installed via package managers or downloaded from the Percona website.
  

  sudo apt-get install percona-xtrabackup-80
  
  

2. Choose a Node for Backup

• Select a node from the InnoDB Cluster to perform the backup. It's typically recommended to perform the backup on a secondary node to avoid impacting the performance of the primary node.

3. Perform the Backup

• Run Percona XtraBackup with compression enabled. You can use the -compress option for this:
  

  xtrabackup --backup --compress --target-dir=/path/to/compressed_backup
  
  

• This command creates a compressed backup in the specified -target-dir directory.

4. Prepare the Backup

• Before the backup can be restored, it must be prepared:
  

  xtrabackup --prepare --compress --target-dir=/path/to/compressed_backup
  
  

• Preparing the backup applies the log file to the data files, making them consistent and ready for use.

5. Verify the Backup

• It’s crucial to verify that the backup was successful and the data is consistent:
  

  xtrabackup --decompress --remove-original --target-dir=/path/to/compressed_backup
  xtrabackup --prepare --target-dir=/path/to/compressed_backup
  
  

6. Backup Binary Logs (Optional)

• In addition to the data backup, consider backing up the binary logs if point-in-time recovery is needed.

7. Automate Backup Process

• Automate the backup process through a cron job or a script to regularly take backups.

8. Secure Your Backups

• Ensure your backups are stored securely, preferably in a different physical location from your database servers.
• Use -encrypt option for encryption if sensitive data is involved.

9. Test Backup Restoration

• Regularly test the restoration of your backups to ensure they are reliable and can be used in case of an emergency.

Conclusion

Compressed backups of an InnoDB Cluster using tools like Percona XtraBackup are essential for efficient, space-saving backups that are consistent and reliable. Regular backups, coupled with thorough testing of the restore process, are critical components of a robust disaster recovery plan.

Also Read: https://minervadb.xyz/understanding-innodb-cluster-internal-mechanics-for-mysql-horizontal-scaling/