MySQL InnoDB Backup: are dump files enough?

Question

What exactly does the default ibdata1 file store that does not exist in a mysqldump?

I've got a backup/rsync job that stores dump files of a MySQL 5.5 database on a remote server for rotating daily/weekly backups.

However, I am not currently backing up the ibdata1 file itself -- is this a nightmare waiting to happen or are dump files enough?

Thanks

score 2 · Accepted Answer · edited Jan 26 '13 at 15:23

2

No, if you are doing proper mysqldumps the information necessary to rebuild the database will be present. You don't have to backup the ibdata1 file.

edited Jan 26 '13 at 15:23

virtualeyes

answered Jan 26 '13 at 01:47

mdpc

1

Proper mysqldumps are comprised of SQL code and all the data necessary to recreate all the tables and their relationships in the database they were made from. – Fiasco Labs Jan 26 '13 at 02:18

1 Answers1