Dataflix

The Dataflix application is a specialized data management app that lets you browse snapshots, backups, and point-in-time recovery (PITR) regions for available services, as well as deleted services with retained snapshots. You can also download database backups.

While the Availability Machine focuses on producing data backup components, Dataflix focuses on consuming those components to create non-production environments.

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Prerequisites

Ensure that you have created your SQL Server database service in the Provisioning application under the DB Services app family. For more information, see Provisioning a SQL Server DB service.

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Dataflix dashboard

The Dataflix dashboard displays all available database services across various database engines and cloud providers.

Filter	Description
Search	Find a specific database service by name.
Engine	Filter by database engine: All, Oracle, MySQL, PostgreSQL, or SQL Server.
Cloud	Filter by cloud provider: All, AWS, GCP, or Azure.
Owner	Filter by a specific user to view their database services.
Clear	Reset all filters to default settings.

Figure 1 — Dataflix dashboard

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Dataflix home page

Select any database service from the dashboard to open its home page. Below the database service name, you see the following tabs:

Tab	Description
PITR Region	Create a clone from the available PITR region.
Snapshots	Create a clone from the available snapshots.
Backups	Download available database backups.
Sanitized Snapshots	Create a clone from the available sanitized snapshots.

Note: A tab is enabled only if the corresponding option has been scheduled or configured in the Availability Machine.

Figure 2 — Dataflix home page

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Create a clone

You can create a clone from any of the three clone sources: PITR region, snapshots, or sanitized snapshots. The source selection differs for each tab, but the clone configuration steps are the same.

Step 1: Select a data source

Choose a source tab based on the type of data point you want to clone from.

PITR region

1. On the PITR Region tab, select a date and time from the Select Recovery Time box. This changes the blue line positioning on the continuous data region in the Regions and Availability Zones panel.

   The panel displays:

   • Cloud regions where your database service is deployed.

   • Daily data flow within the region in a 24-hour format.

   • A blue line indicating the selected recovery time.

   • A red line indicating the last available point-in-time restore.

2. Review the data point details — number of databases, cloud details, and number of users the data is shared with.

Note: Next to Number of databases, select the question mark icon to view the list of databases in the service.

1. Select Clone.

Snapshots

1. On the Snapshots tab, browse or search for a specific snapshot by name. You can also filter snapshots by region.

2. Select a snapshot to view its details — creation timestamp, size, number of databases, cloud details, and number of users the data is shared with.

3. Select Clone.

Sanitized snapshots

1. On the Sanitized Snapshots tab, browse or search for a specific sanitized snapshot by name. You can also filter by region.

2. Select a sanitized snapshot to view its details — creation timestamp, size, number of databases, cloud details, and number of users the data is shared with.

3. Select Clone.

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Step 2: Configure the clone

After you select Clone from any source tab, the clone creation form opens. Configure the following options:

Service details: Specify the service name, description, and tags for the cloned service.

Cloud provider settings: Configure the target cloud settings. Cross-region cloning is configured in the Data access policy section of the Availability Machine app. See Availability Machine app.

Compute shape: Review the parent database server configuration. You cannot change the storage in the compute shape for a cloned service.

Database instance configuration: Configure the SQL Server database instance settings.

Additional settings: Configure the maintenance window, performance insights, and Availability Machine settings. You can also set up a clone refresh schedule as described below.

Clone refresh schedule

A refresh schedule keeps your cloned service automatically updated with fresh data from the source database. This is useful for maintaining up-to-date development and test environments without creating new clones.

To configure a refresh schedule:

1. In the Refresh schedule section, select either No schedule or Automatic refresh.

2. For an automatic refresh, select the day and time for the refresh.

3. Select the refresh mode:

   Mode	Behavior
   Snapshot	The database is refreshed to the snapshot available at the selected time on the selected days, based on the snapshot available at the source. If no snapshot is available, the refresh is skipped.
   PITR	The database is refreshed to the latest available data at the selected time on the selected days. If no data is available, the refresh is skipped.

4. In the Custom Scripts for Refresh schedule panel, optionally select pre and post scripts from the dropdown lists.

   To use custom scripts, ensure that you have uploaded them in the Script Library application under the DB Services app family.

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Step 3: Submit the clone

Select + Clone Service at the bottom of the form.

After you submit the request, the following steps are performed automatically:

1. The clone request is submitted.

2. Compute instances are created.

3. The database is configured.

4. The Availability Machine is set up.

5. The first snapshot is triggered.

As an alternative method, use the code to create the clone.

1. Use the Code button at the top-right corner to view the ‘Code for Service Cloning’ window.

2. On the left-hand side of the window, you can view the API, its type and the payload.

3. On the right-hand side of the window, you can view the code for creating the clone in various languages like Shell, Python, Go, Java, JavaScript, and PowerShell that you can run independently.

4. You can copy and download the code using respective buttons.

5. Use the Close button to return to the main window.

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Download backups

On the Backups tab, you can download available native backups. Use the search bar to find a specific backup by name.

Note: Only manually triggered native backups are available for download in Dataflix. Native backups generated through automated RPO schedules are not displayed here.

Download a backup

1. Select a backup to view its details — creation timestamp, size, number of databases, cloud details, and number of users the data is shared with.

2. Select Download. The "Download Backup" dialog box opens.

3. Select a date and time for automatic expiry of the backup URL, and then select Submit. After the URL is created, a "Backup Available" status is displayed below the backup name.

4. Select Download again to view the backup URL. This button is active only during the expiry period.

5. In the "Download Backup" dialog box:

   • On the left side, review the backup size and creation date.

   • Below, copy the shareable URL using the copy icon. The URL expiry date and remaining days are also displayed.

   • On the right side, view and copy or download the shell script for the URL.

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