Update Auto Backup MongoDB Database with NodeJS on server

This tutorial describes the process for Auto Backup MongoDB Database with NodeJS on server.

Prerequisites:

• Fs and lodash npm modules are installed.
• Make sure that your mongodb is protected with username and password, if not than follow steps from below link.

Key Summary

• Overview: The article explains how to implement an automated backup system for MongoDB databases using Node.js, ensuring data safety and recovery on servers.
• Key Features:
  • Automation Script: Uses Node.js to schedule and automate MongoDB backups with tools like mongodump.
  • Scheduling: Integrates with libraries like node-cron to run backups at specified intervals (e.g., daily, weekly).
  • Storage Options: Saves backups to local servers, cloud storage (e.g., AWS S3, Google Cloud Storage), or other remote locations.
  • Compression: Compresses backup files to save storage space using tools like tar or zip.
  • Error Handling: Implements logging and notifications (e.g., via email or Slack) to alert administrators of backup failures.
• Implementation Steps:
  • Install Node.js, MongoDB tools, and dependencies (e.g., node-cron, aws-sdk).
  • Write a Node.js script to execute mongodump for database exports.
  • Configure cron jobs for scheduling and cloud storage for saving backups.
  • Add error handling and logging for reliability.
• Use Cases:
  • Ensuring data recovery for web applications using MongoDB.
  • Automating backups for production environments in startups or enterprises.
  • Maintaining compliance with data retention policies in regulated industries.
• Benefits:
  • Reduces risk of data loss with regular, automated backups.
  • Saves time and effort compared to manual backup processes.
  • Flexible storage options support scalability and accessibility.
• Challenges:
  • Requires secure handling of credentials for MongoDB and cloud storage.
  • Managing large databases may increase backup time and storage costs.
  • Needs monitoring to ensure consistent backup success.
• Conclusion: Automating MongoDB backups with Node.js provides a reliable, scalable solution for data protection, streamlining operations and ensuring business continuity with minimal manual effort.

Step 1

Create a js file in your project folder called mongodb_backup.js and add below code.

Replace variables < databaseUsername >, < databasePassword >, < databaseName > , < serverPath > with the values of your database.

var fs = require('fs');
var _ = require('lodash');
var exec = require('child_process').exec;

var dbOptions =  {
user: '<databaseUsername>',
pass: '<databasePassword>',
host: 'localhost',
port: 27017,
database: '<databaseName>',
autoBackup: true, 
removeOldBackup: true,
keepLastDaysBackup: 2,
autoBackupPath: '<serverPath>' // i.e. /var/database-backup/
};

	/* return date object */
exports.stringToDate = function (dateString) {
    return new Date(dateString);
}
	
	/* return if variable is empty or not. */
export.empty = function(mixedVar) {
    var undef, key, i, len;
    var emptyValues = [undef, null, false, 0, '', '0'];
    for (i = 0, len = emptyValues.length; i < len; i++) {
        if (mixedVar === emptyValues[i]) {
        return true;
        }
    }
    if (typeof mixedVar === 'object') {
        for (key in mixedVar) {
return false;
        }
        return true;
    }
    return false;
};


	// Auto backup script

dbAutoBackUp: function () {
// check for auto backup is enabled or disabled
    if (dbOptions.autoBackup == true) {
        var date = new Date();
        var beforeDate, oldBackupDir, oldBackupPath;
        currentDate = this.stringToDate(date); // Current date
        var newBackupDir = currentDate.getFullYear() + '-' + (currentDate.getMonth() + 1) + '-' + currentDate.getDate();
        var newBackupPath = dbOptions.autoBackupPath + 'mongodump-' + newBackupDir; // New backup path for current backup process
        // check for remove old backup after keeping # of days given in configuration
        if (dbOptions.removeOldBackup == true) {
            beforeDate = _.clone(currentDate);
            beforeDate.setDate(beforeDate.getDate() - dbOptions.keepLastDaysBackup); // Substract number of days to keep backup and remove old backup
            oldBackupDir = beforeDate.getFullYear() + '-' + (beforeDate.getMonth() + 1) + '-' + beforeDate.getDate();
            oldBackupPath = dbOptions.autoBackupPath + 'mongodump-' + oldBackupDir; // old backup(after keeping # of days)
        }
        var cmd = 'mongodump --host ' + dbOptions.host + ' --port ' + dbOptions.port + ' --db ' + dbOptions.database + ' --username ' + dbOptions.user + ' --password ' + dbOptions.pass + ' --out ' + newBackupPath; // Command for mongodb dump process

        exec(cmd, function (error, stdout, stderr) {
            if (this.empty(error)) {
                // check for remove old backup after keeping # of days given in configuration
              	if (dbOptions.removeOldBackup == true) {
                    if (fs.existsSync(oldBackupPath)) {
                        exec("rm -rf " + oldBackupPath, function (err) { });
                    }
                }
            }
        });
    }
}

Step 2

To create cron install cron module from NPM package manager https://www.npmjs.com/package/cron using below command

npm install cron –save

Add below code into your server.js / main.js / index.js

global.CronJob = require(‘Your path to cron.js file’); 

Now create cron.js file in your project and paste below code in it.

var CronJob = require('cron').CronJob;
	var Cron = require('./mongodb_backup.js');

	new CronJob('0 0 0 * * *', function() {
    Cron.dbAutoBackUp();
}, null, true, 'America/New_York');

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