Mastering MariaDB

Physical backups

A physical backup is a copy of all the files in which MariaDB stores the database definitions, the data and index files, the configuration files, and the logs. Since data is usually stored in a compact way, a physical backup is usually the most convenient form of backup. Also, only physical backups include the configuration files and the logs.

However, while performing a physical backup, a lock must be acquired so that the server does not use the files. As an alternative, we can stop the server.

Which files should be copied?

A complete backup consists of all the following groups of files: table files, trigger files, logs, and configuration files.

Table files

Table files are stored in the data directory. The storage engine, and sometimes ...