What can MySQL ZRM do?

Backup features

Backup of multiple databases and multiple MySQL servers

MySQL ZRM can backup multiple MySQL databases that are managed by the MySQL server. It can also backup tables in a single database. It can perform hot and cold backups of the databases.

Backup sets

MySQL ZRM can be configured in terms of backup sets. Each backup set consists of the list of databases or tables within a database, backup schedules, backup method and configuration parameters. All configuration parameters can be specified for a backup set. Backup sets allows administrators to specify different policies based on MySQL application or MySQL site.

Support for multiple backup methods

MySQL ZRM can use various MySQL backup methods depending on the storage engine used by MySQL tables. It uses mysqldump, mysqlhotcopy, lvm snapshots and MySQL replication as various backup methods. The tool will use the method that will create consistent backup of the database irrespective of the storage engines used by the databases tables. Backup method can be overridden by user input.

Backup of local MySQL server

In this mode, MySQL ZRM runs on the same machine as the MySQL server. It can use mysqldump, LVM snapshots, mysqlhotcopy to do local MySQL server backups.

Backup of remote MySQL server

In this mode, MySQL ZRM runs on a different machine from the MySQL server. It can use mysqldump or MySQL replication to do backups of remote MySQL servers. SSL authentication is supported between MySQL ZRM and MySQL server which allows for backups over internet or across firewalls. Incremental backups of remote MySQL server is not possible.

Backup Levels

MySQL ZRM does full database backups and incremental database backups.

Disk based backups

All backups are stored on disk (under backup root directory - /var/lib/mysql-zrm)

Backup retention policy

Different retention policies can be specified for each backup set.

Backup verification

Verification can be performed on backed up data.

Backup data compression and encryption

Backup images can be compressed as well as encrypted using any platform tool such as gzip, GPG. Compression and encryption can be configured for each backup set.

Recovery features

Backup index

All information about backup run is stored in a backup index. The backup index can be browsed using MySQL ZRM reporting tool.

Full and incremental database recovery

Database restoration can be done only when the MySQL server is inactive. MySQL server should be stopped.

Selective restoration

Incremental restores can be done based on binary log position. This would permit recovery from database operator errors

Point in time recovery

Database can be recovered to any point in time between two successful backups.

Reporting and Scheduling features

Scheduling

MySQL ZRM backup runs can be scheduled in daily/weekly/monthly intervals. Scheduler can also be used to do backup immediately.

Backup reporting

Status of backup run, backup statistics, backup contents, location of backups can be obtained using backup reporting tool. Backup performance measurements can be used to choose appropriate backup method for a database. There are pre-defined backup reports as well as capability of creating user defined reports. Backup reports are also available in HTML format.

Automatic generation of backup reports

HTML and Text backup reports for last backup run are automatically generate d and can be made accessible from a web server. These HTML reports can be available as RSS feed.

Email notification

MySQL ZRM can send email notification about the backup run status to the MySQL backup administrator.

Logging

All backup and Recovery information is logged in a log file that can be used for auditing as well as debugging.

Custom plugins

MySQL ZRM allows administrators to create configuration or application specific plugins. Plugins allow administrators to tailor the backup process for their environment. ZRM for MySQL provides plugin templates and sample plugins. Custom plugins can be created for:

Pre-backup plugin

List of actions that are performed before a backup run for a backup set.

Post-backup plugin

List of actions that are performed after a backup run for a backup set.

Copy plugin

Plugin that allows files to copied in a secure manner between MySQL server and machine running MySQL ZRM. Sample plugins are available for ssh and socket communication.

Binary log parser plugin

A plugin that allows user to filter information from MySQL binary logs (incremental backups).

Pre-scheduler plugin

Plugin that allows user to determine the start time of backup run based on application or server load.