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PostgreSQL cluster backups

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In PostgreSQL Managed Databases, cluster backups are created automatically — you do not need to configure them yourself or keep track of backup creation.

The WAL-G tool is used to create cluster backups. WAL files are used to perform point-in-time recovery (Point-in-Time Recovery).

Backups are stored in isolation from other users' backups.

Backups cannot be downloaded. Automatic backup creation cannot be disabled.

Backup schedule

  • full cluster backups are created once a week;
  • incremental (delta) backups are created once a day. Such backups contain all changes since the previous backup;
  • WAL files are created every 10 minutes or when a certain volume of changes accumulates.

Backup retention period

Backups are kept for 7 days, after which they are deleted.

Backups of deleted clusters are stored for 7 days from the moment of backup creation. From a backup, you can restore a cluster.

Restore a cluster

You can restore an existing or deleted cluster from a backup. Restoration is available for any point in time during the last 7 days. When restoring, a new database cluster is created — you can change the name, configuration (with the same or larger disk size), number of nodes, network, and DBMS settings. You cannot change the DBMS type or version.

  1. In the Dashboard, click Products in the top menu and select Managed Databases.
  2. Open the Active tab.
  3. In the cluster menu, select Restore.
  4. Choose how to restore the cluster: from the last available backup or to a specific point in time within the last 7 days.
  5. Click Continue.
  6. You will be redirected to the new cluster creation page. If necessary, change the cluster settings — see the Create a Cluster instructions for more details.
  7. Click Create Cluster.
  8. After the cluster is restored, the node addresses will change — update them in the application connecting to the cluster.