Connect a database
The three-step dashboard flow — create the datasource, set credentials, pick a policy.
Connecting a database creates a datasource and walks you through the two things it needs to start backing up: credentials and a policy. The dashboard chains the three pages automatically.
Most people should use the guided Protect a database flow instead — it does all of this in one dialog and creates the schedule and managed storage for you. Use the manual steps below when you want to reuse an existing policy or wire up your own storage bucket.
Before you start
- Your database must accept inbound connections on its port from
Backup's egress IP
18.196.207.101— see Network access. - Have a database user ready with read access to everything you want backed up — see read-only roles.
- A backup policy to attach in step 3. If your organization has none yet, that step offers a Create a backup policy link (it opens in a new tab so you don't lose your place) — or create one ahead of time.
Create the datasource
Backup → Datasources → New Datasource:
- Datasource name — a label (
production-db,analytics-replica). - Engine — PostgreSQL or MongoDB. This can't do anything yet — it just decides which dump tool will run.
- Environment — Development / Staging / Testing / Production (filtering tag only).
- Region — currently EU Central 1 (Frankfurt).
Click Create Datasource.
Set credentials
You're redirected to the credentials page. Paste the full connection URI and click Save Credentials — the dashboard runs a connection test immediately after saving and tells you the result. Details and credential formats: Manage credentials.
Pick a backup policy
The last page lists your organization's policies as selectable cards, each showing its cron schedule and the destination it writes to (managed or BYO). Pick the one matching the schedule + retention + destination you want and click Complete Setup. If you have no policies yet, use the Create a backup policy link (opens in a new tab), create one, then come back and pick it.
After Complete Setup you land on the datasource detail page. The first backup fires at the next time matching the policy's cron expression — the Next Backup field shows when. If you skipped a step, the detail page tells you: a "Missing Connection String" warning if credentials aren't set, and an empty Backup policies card with an Add backup policy button if nothing is attached.