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MongoDB - Create Backup

In this chapter, we will see how to create a backup in MongoDB.

Dump MongoDB Data​

To create a backup of a database in MongoDB, use the mongodump command. This command dumps the entire data of your server into the dump directory. There are many options available to limit the amount of data or create a backup of your remote server.

Syntax​

The basic syntax of the mongodump command is as follows:

mongodump

Example​

Start your mongod server. Assuming that your mongod server is running on localhost and port 27017, open a command prompt, go to the bin directory of your MongoDB instance, and type the command mongodump.

Consider the mycol collection has the following data.

mongodump

The command will connect to the server running at 127.0.0.1 and port 27017 and back up all data of the server to the directory /bin/dump/. Following is the output of the command:

2023-06-10T12:34:56.789+0000    writing mydb.mycol to /bin/dump/mydb/mycol.bson
2023-06-10T12:34:56.789+0000    done

Available Options for mongodump​

SyntaxDescriptionExample
mongodump --host HOST_NAME --port PORT_NUMBERThis command will back up all databases of the specified mongod instance.mongodump --host tutorialspoint.com --port 27017
mongodump --dbpath DB_PATH --out BACKUP_DIRECTORYThis command will back up only the specified database at the specified path.mongodump --dbpath /data/db/ --out /data/backup/
mongodump --collection COLLECTION --db DB_NAMEThis command will back up only the specified collection of the specified database.mongodump --collection mycol --db test

Restore Data​

To restore backup data, use MongoDB's mongorestore command. This command restores all of the data from the backup directory.

Syntax​

The basic syntax of the mongorestore command is:

mongorestore

Example​

Following is the output of the command:

2023-06-10T12:34:56.789+0000    preparing to restore mydb.mycol from /bin/dump/mydb/mycol.bson
2023-06-10T12:34:56.789+0000    done

Diagram​

note
  • Ensure the mongod server is running before executing the mongodump or mongorestore commands.
  • Use appropriate options with mongodump to back up specific databases or collections.
  • The backup directory should be accessible and writable by the MongoDB instance.

Creating backups regularly ensures that you have a recovery option in case of data loss or corruption.