Research database backup strategies

[josecelano]

Overview

Research and document backup strategies for SQLite databases, MySQL databases, and configuration files used in Torrust Tracker deployments. This is a pure research task focused on learning and collecting information about available tools, techniques, and approaches.

Specification

See detailed specification: docs/issues/research-database-backup-strategies.md

(Link will be updated after file rename with issue number)

🏗️ Architecture Requirements

DDD Layer: N/A (Research task - documentation only)
Module Path: docs/research/backup-strategies/
Pattern: Research documentation

Research Scope

This is a pure research and learning task - no code implementation or specific design proposals are required. Focus on understanding and documenting available tools, techniques, and approaches.

Implementation Plan

Phase 1: SQLite Research (4-6 hours)

• Research safe file copy approaches while database is in use
• Investigate compression tools and techniques
• Learn about cloud volume attachment and snapshot strategies
• Analyze Torrust Live Demo backup script implementation
• Document findings in docs/research/backup-strategies/sqlite-backup-strategies.md

Phase 2: MySQL Research (4-6 hours)

• Research mysqldump usage and locking behavior
• Investigate physical backup tools (Percona XtraBackup)
• Learn about Docker volume backup strategies
• Study cloud redundancy options for MySQL backups
• Document findings in docs/research/backup-strategies/mysql-backup-strategies.md

Phase 3: Configuration Research (2-3 hours)

• Identify all configuration files and directories
• Research file copy and archive tools
• Study configuration storage strategies
• Document findings in docs/research/backup-strategies/configuration-backup-strategies.md

Phase 4: Backup Scope Strategies (2-3 hours)

• Research full storage backup approaches
• Compare database-only backup patterns
• Study selective backup strategies
• Document trade-offs in docs/research/backup-strategies/backup-scope-strategies.md

Phase 5: Documentation Review (1 hour)

• Review all research documents for completeness
• Create README in research folder with overview
• Run linters and ensure documentation quality

Total Estimated Time: 12-18 hours

Acceptance Criteria

Note for Contributors: These criteria define what the PR reviewer will check. Use this as your pre-review checklist before submitting the PR.

Quality Checks:

• Pre-commit checks pass: ./scripts/pre-commit.sh

Research Documentation:

• SQLite backup approaches documented (safe copying, compression, redundancy)
• MySQL backup approaches documented (tools, techniques, containerization)
• Configuration backup approaches documented
• Backup scope strategies compared
• Torrust Live Demo implementation analyzed and documented
• Cloud redundancy strategies documented (volumes, S3, snapshots)
• Compression techniques compared
• All findings organized in docs/research/backup-strategies/ folder
• README created in research folder with overview

Documentation Quality:

• Markdown linting passes
• Spell checking passes
• All links valid and properly formatted

Key Research Questions

1. Safety: How to backup databases safely while in production use?
2. Tools: What tools exist for copying, compressing, and storing backups?
3. Redundancy: How to ensure backups are stored redundantly in cloud environments?
4. Scope: What are the trade-offs of different backup scopes (full vs selective)?
5. Current Practice: How does the Torrust Live Demo handle backups today?

Related

• Parent: Add backup support #309 (Epic: Add backup support)
• Roadmap: Roadmap #1 (Project Roadmap)
• Specification: docs/issues/research-database-backup-strategies.md
• Reference: Torrust Live Demo

Context

The Torrust Live Demo currently implements SQLite backups with daily generation, compression, 7-day rotation, and no database locking. This research will analyze that implementation and explore alternatives for both SQLite and MySQL.