Database Backup Software to Take DB Snapshots in Windows and Linux

List of Supported Databases

Our software has an advanced modular architecture in which access to data is provided by plug-ins of different types. There are five database-specific plug-ins and one general plug-in suitable for all ODBC-compatible databases.

Database backup plug-ins: MySQL, MS SQL, Oracle, IBM DB2, Lotus Notes and ODBC

• MySQL Backup. This plug-in connects to MySQL instance like a common client application and exports DB data into SQL dump files. Restoration of the backup is performed by consecutive execution of all SQL statements, i.e. the database is recreated from scratch. Read more about MySQL Backup...
• MS SQL Backup. Microsoft-recommended method of backing up MSSQL Server is to use the combination of Window’s Volume Shadow Copy Service (VSS) and backup-related API provided by the DBMS, and that’s exactly how the plug-in works. To learn more, please see MSSQL Backup.
• Oracle Backup. This plug-in is designed for backing up and restoring Oracle DBMS through native Oracle’s interfaces, which ensures accuracy and consistency of the backup. More about Oracle Backup...
• DB2 Backup. The plug-in uses API provided by DB2 to store and retrieve data and log files. Read more about DB2 Backup...
• Lotus Notes Backup. This plug-in creates recoverable backups of Lotus Notes databases by combining common copying of database files with advanced tracking of changes made during the copying. To learn more, please refer to Lotus Notes Backup.
• ODBC Database Backup. Most databases used today (MySQL, PostgreSQL, MS SQL, MS Access, Oracle, FoxPro, DB2, etc.) comply with the ODBC standard which allows accessing DB via a set of standard functions. The plug-in uses ODBC connectors (drivers) installed on your system to export and import database tables. To learn about its advantages and restrictions, please see ODBC Backup.

Cold and Hot Database Backup

There are two principal approaches to backing up databases:

• Cold backup requires you to stop your DBMS and let it dump all data from the memory to hard disk, after which you can back it up via usual file system copying. While this method results in server downtime, there are situations in which it can work exceptionally well. For example, if you have a Master-to-Slave replication configuration, then you can safely turn off the Slave, back up its files, and then start it again.

• Hot backup (also referred to as “logical backup”) is a type of copying that is made through the use of database’s APIs. It is slower than cold backup, but doesn’t require stopping the DBMS server and allows making transaction-safe database snapshots while preserving business activities. Learn more about hot backup...

All database backup plug-ins in Handy Backup are designed to retrieve data without interrupting database services, i.e. perform hot backup. The program can be used on both physical and virtual servers, and all operations can be scheduled to run daily, weekly, monthly, or in your own period of time. Schedule backups, enable e-mail notifications – and always know that your data is adequately protected.

To learn about other features of our software and for instructions on planning database backups, please see Database Backup Features.

Backup vs. Replication vs. Clustering

Replication enables you to distribute the database across several servers and assign each server its own role, so that one server interacts with applications in a common way, while the others are used as read-only copies. Failure of one server doesn’t cause complete loss of service of your applications, and at any time you can reconfigure a Slave Server to act as a Master and vice versa.

Though replication configuration provides higher uptime and accessibility of your databases, it cannot be considered a replacement for backups. If your Master database accidentally gets corrupted (due to an SQL injection or a user mistake), all the changes will be automatically replicated to Slave databases. Sometimes you can react fast and stop the replication procedure (which doesn’t require being made synchronously), and then use your Slave as a backup, but in most cases it is too late.

The same is true for clustering configuration where multiple servers (SQL nodes) act as one, without any specific roles. Clusters are usually based on distributed storage engines in which failure of any node doesn’t result in any loss of data. Unlike replication configuration, they don’t allow for long-distance database distribution, but provide higher I/O speed and better response times.

As a general rule, it is always recommended to take the best of both worlds, and combine replication or clustering configuration and database backups.

Licensing Information

There are two business editions of Handy Backup, both come with a full line of database backup plug-ins:

Download

To back up databases, try Small Server or Network Server editions. Free trial!

• If you have only one database server, then you need Handy Backup Small Server
• If you need to back up multiple servers, check out our enterprise backup solution that can back up up to 5 computers on a client-server scheme. See product page of Handy Backup Network Server

You can find pricing information on these and other editions in the Order section.

Video Example

In the next video you can see an example of database backup made with the MySQL Backup plug-in.

Note: To follow the instructions in the above video, you need to download our software.

Handy Backup for Hosting Providers

We are a very open company, and look forward to partnership opportunities with businesses from all fields of IT, including OEM, service providers, integrators, and other. Our solutions are already used by several web hosting providers who use it to back up databases of their clients. If you would like to join our partner network, or discuss details of potential co-operation, please refer to the Partners section.

See Also

• MySQL Backup Features – learn about different features of our software and how they can facilitate backups of MySQL DB
• PostgreSQL Backup
• Microsoft Exchange Server Backup

Enjoy one of the best software for database backup and recovery!