You can clone a database in VMware Data Services Manager. When cloning a database, you can create an identical database cluster. Cloning is equivalent to PITR to latest available time.

Any service data residing in the original database VM is also cloned. You can also choose to change database settings. The cloned database VM is owned by the user who clones the original database VM. The owner can perform typical database management operations on the cloned database. The owner also receives email notifications for status change of the cloned database VM and failure of operations on the cloned database VM.

Prerequisites

Make sure that the version of the ESXi host of the primary database is not later than the version of the ESXi host of the cloned target database VM.

Procedure

  1. Select Databases from the left navigation pane.
    This action displays the Databases view, a table that lists the provisioned database VMs.
  2. Examine the database VMs listed in the table, identify the database VM that you wish to clone, and navigate to that table row.
  3. Click in the Actions column, and select Clone from the pop-up menu.

    The Clone Database form displays.

  4. Set the following properties for the new database VM:
    Property Name Value
    Database Version Use the dropdown menu to select from the available template versions of the database.
    Note: Availability of template versions depends on whether your data service is enabled in full or limited preview mode. For more information, see Activate Data Services in VMware Data Services Manager.
    Instance Name (PostgreSQL) or Group Name (MySQL) Enter a unique instance name.
    Replica Mode Configure the number of nodes to create for this cluster. Select one of the following:
    • Single Server - One node with no replicas. You can use vSphere HA.
    • Single vSphere Cluster - Multiple nodes co-located on a single vSphere cluster providing node resiliency.

      A three-node topology (1 replica) is supported for all database engines.
    Topology Specify configuration for the database nodes appropriate for the type of database and the replica mode you selected.
    Database Name (PostgreSQL) Enter a unique name for this database, or retain the default name.
    Admin Username (PostgreSQL) Enter a unique username for this database, or retain the default username.
    Enable User Directory Authentication If you configured user directories, activate user directory authentication. For information, see Configuring a Directory Service in VMware Data Services Manager.
    DNS Names Enter comma separated FQDNs. The DNS names are used in the Subject Alternative Name (SAN) and Common Name (CN) fields of the TLS certificate.
  5. Click CLONE NOW or NEXT is you want to continue changing parameters. Set the following items on the Infrastructure pane.
    Property Name Value
    Infrastructure Policy Select an infrastructure policy from the list of preconfigured policies.
    Storage Policy From the list of storage policies associated with the infrastructure policy, select a storage policy for the database VM storage placement.
    VM Class Depending on your database resource requirements for vCPU and memory, select an appropriate VM class.
    Disk Size Set the disk size.
  6. Click NEXT to continue and to expand the Backup and Maintenance pane.

    Set the following properties for the new database VM

    Property Name Value
    Enable Backups Use the slider to opt-in for automated backups. If you opt-in for automated backups, you have to set Backup Retention.
    Backup Retention Specify the number of days to retain a backup on the selected storage location.
    Daily Backup Time Use the dropdown menus to select the time of day to backup the database.
    Backup Schedule Specify if you want to use default or customized backup schedule:
    • Use Default Backup Schedule - Use the schedule provided by the system and set the start time.
    • Add Customized Backup Schedule - Specify whether you want the backup to be full or incremental. Set up the start time and the frequency of the backup.
    Enable Maintenance Window Use the slider to opt-in for automatic upgrade to the next minor versions during the maintenance window that you configure.
    Day of the Week Use the dropdown menu to select the maintenance window's day of the week.
    Start Time Use the dropdown menus to select the time of day in which to start the maintenance window.
    New Duration Use the dropdown menu to specify the duration of the maintenance window (hours).
  7. Click CLONE DATABASE.
    VMware Data Services Manager initiates a management operation of type CREATE DATABASE CLUSTER FROM EXISTING CLUSTER, and adds an entry for the new cloned VM in the Databases view table.
    Note: Cloning a database can take some time.
  8. Monitor the progress of the operation in the Operations tab or in the Operations view.
    When the operation completes, the new cloned database displays the READY or ERROR status.