Cloning a DB Instance

Scenarios

Cloning a DB instance means cloning the service data of a primary DB instance within about half an hour, so that you can analyze the data without interrupting services.

The primary DB instance is accessible while being cloned. Data inherited by the cloned instance is the same as that of the primary DB instance from when the cloning action began. If you want a cloned instance that has the same data as the original after the cloning completes, disable access to the primary DB instance before starting to clone the instance.

Constraints

• You can clone a DB instance only when your account balance is greater than or equal to $0 USD.
• To clone a DB instance, you need to contact customer service to apply for the required permissions.
• If the primary DB instance is kept accessible while being cloned, data inherited by the cloned instance will match that of the source instance from when the cloning began, not from when it finished.
• The storage type and space of the new instance must be the same as those of the primary DB instance.
• The AZ of the new instance must be the same as that of the primary DB instance.
• The parameter template, DB engine version, and DB instance type of the new instance must be the same as those of the primary DB instance.
• Microsoft SQL Server 2008 R2 Standard Edition and read replicas do not support instance cloning.
• The following operations cannot be performed on a cloning primary DB instance:
  • Changing the instance class
  • Enabling Transparent Data Encryption (TDE)
  • Enabling or disabling FileStream
  • Migrating data
  • Restoring data to the primary DB instance
  • Modifying MSDTC configurations
  • Deleting the primary DB instance
  • Switching over the primary and standby DB instances
  • Resetting a password
  • Changing DB instance type from single to primary/standby
  • Upgrading the version

Procedure

1. Log in to the management console.
2. Click in the upper left corner and select a region.
3. Click in the upper left corner of the page and choose Databases > Relational Database Service.
4. On the Instances page, locate the DB instance to be cloned and choose More > Clone in the Operation column.
5. On the displayed page, keep the configurations the same as the original DB instance or change them as required. Then, click Next.
6. Confirm the instance configurations.
   • For pay-per-use DB instances, click Submit.
   • For yearly/monthly DB instances, click Pay Now.

7. Refresh the DB instance list and check the clone result. If the status of the new instance is Available, the clone was successful.

   You can manage the cloned instance on the Instances page.