FlexusL Backup Overview

Backup is a common method for server maintenance. FlexusL instances can back up data using multiple services, such as Cloud Backup and Recovery (CBR) and Image Management Service (IMS).

Cloud Backup and Recovery (CBR) enables you to back up cloud servers and disks with ease. In the event of a virus attack, accidental deletion, or software or hardware fault, you can restore data to any point in the past when the data was backed up.
You can associate a backup vault with your cloud server when you purchase it on the FlexusL console. You can also enable CBR on the CBR console after the FlexusL instance is purchased.
An image is a cloud server or disk template that contains an OS, service data, or necessary software. IMS allows you to manage the lifecycle of images.
You create a system disk image for a FlexusL instance on the IMS console and use this image to restore the FlexusL instance. FlexusL instances can only be restored using system disk images, but not data disk images or full-server images.
Data on FlexusL instances cannot be restored using snapshots.

For the differences between backup and images, see What Are the Differences Between Backup, Snapshot, and Image?

This section describes how to back up FlexusL instance data using CBR.

How to Use CBR

Scenario 1
CBR is associated with FlexusL. You can associate a backup vault with your FlexusL instance when you purchase it on the FlexusL console. After a FlexusL instance is created with a CBR vault associated, CBR automatically backs up the entire FlexusL instance based on the default backup policy. Also, you can perform a manual backup at any time.

Scenario 2
If you do not associate a vault with the FlexusL instance during the purchase, you can buy a vault afterwards on the CBR console. For details, see Creating a Cloud Server Backup.

The comparison of the two scenarios is described in the following table. You can select one as required.

**Table 1** Differences between cloud backup in the two scenarios
Scenario	Billing Mode	Lifecycle	Cloud Backup Types	Vault Capacity	Advantage
Scenario 1	Yearly/Monthly (The validity period is the same as that of the FlexusL instance.)	For the CBR vault purchased along with the FlexusL instance on the FlexusL console, its lifecycle is the same as the FlexusL instance. It cannot be renewed or unsubscribed from separately, and cannot be disassociated from the FlexusL instance.	Cloud server backup	10 to 2,048, in GiB	More cost-effective than the yearly/monthly backup vault with the same duration purchased on the CBR console
Scenario 2	Yearly/monthly and pay-per-use	For the CBR vault purchased on the CBR console, it has its own lifecycle. You can disassociate it from the FlexusL instance at any time.	Cloud server backup	10–10,485,760, in GiB	More flexible

Constraints

You can associate one CBR vault at most when you purchase a FlexusL instance on the FlexusL console. The CBR vault cannot be disassociated from the FlexusL instance after being purchased.

CBR Functions

**Table 2** CBR functions
Function	Description
Backing Up a FlexusL Instance	After a CBR vault is associated with your FlexusL instance, you can apply a default backup policy to enable automatic backup or manually back up data.
Expanding the Backup Vault Associated with a FlexusL Instance	If the capacity of a cloud backup vault no longer meets your needs, you can expand the vault capacity.