# 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. *** ## 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](https://docs.tessell.com/tessell/tessell-for-sqlserver/db-services/provisioning-ms-sql-server). *** ## 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** ![](https://3421475909-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FXNKiIctERJykfezXfUU2%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-a53f8de592ba5ff7110e17df062532547b8346a6%2Fdataflix-dashboard.png?alt=media) *** ## 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** ![](https://3421475909-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FXNKiIctERJykfezXfUU2%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-96d572e6e409b97ef4680868365ceae67f35be35%2Fdataflix-homepage.png?alt=media) *** ## 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. 3. 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**. *** ### 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](https://docs.tessell.com/tessell/tessell-for-sqlserver/db-services/am-sqlserver-doc). **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. *** ### 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. *** ## 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. ***