What Is Backup for GKE?
Backup for GKE is Google Cloud’s service for backing up and restoring workloads in GKE clusters. It consists of two parts: a control plane exposed as a Google Cloud API, and an add-on agent deployed in each participating cluster.
Two forms of data are preserved: the config backup containing Kubernetes resource manifests from the API server, and volume backups as snapshots corresponding to PersistentVolumeClaim resources. Together these let you restore both the state of Kubernetes objects and the persistent data.
Core Capabilities
- BackupPlan as the parent resource for a chain of backups, holding source cluster selection and workload filtering
- Backup representing a defined portion of a cluster at a specific point in time
- RestorePlan as a reusable restore template with target cluster, conflict handling, and transformation rules
- Restore for restoring a selected portion of a backup into a cluster
- Config backup of Kubernetes resource manifests from the API server
- Volume backups as snapshots corresponding to PersistentVolumeClaim resources
- Support for Autopilot and Standard clusters
Typical Use Cases
Disaster recovery: Restoring workloads including persistent data after an outage or a faulty rollout.
Cluster migration: Backup and restore move workloads from one cluster to another, with the RestorePlan defining target cluster and transformation rules.
Selective restore: Workload filtering in the BackupPlan and selection at restore time let you recover specific subsets.
Compliance requirements: Demonstrable, regular backup of Kubernetes workloads as part of a backup policy.
Benefits
- Managed service instead of a self-maintained in-cluster backup toolchain
- Kubernetes resources and persistent volumes covered in one workflow
- Reusable templates through BackupPlan and RestorePlan
- Support for Autopilot and Standard clusters
- Clearly documented backup scope and documented exclusions
Working with innFactory
As a certified Google Cloud Partner, innFactory supports you with Backup for GKE:
- Backup design: defining BackupPlans, retention, and workload filters that match your requirements
- Restore strategy: designing RestorePlans for disaster recovery and cluster migrations
- Gap analysis: assessing what is out of scope (cluster configuration, container images, external services) and covering it with complementary measures
- Operations: integration into monitoring, alerting, and regular restore testing
Get in touch for a consultation on Backup for GKE and Kubernetes backup strategies.
Typical Use Cases
Technical Specifications
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Backup for GKE?
Backup for GKE is a service for backing up and restoring workloads in GKE clusters. It comprises a Google Cloud API control plane and a GKE add-on agent deployed in each cluster.
Which resources does Backup for GKE use?
There are four resource types. A BackupPlan is a parent resource for Backup resources that represent a chain of backups, holding source cluster selection and workload filtering. A Backup represents the backup of a particular portion of a GKE cluster at a specific point in time. A RestorePlan provides a reusable restore template. A Restore represents the restore of a selected portion of a specific Backup into a GKE cluster.
What gets backed up?
Backup for GKE preserves two forms of data. First, a config backup with the Kubernetes resource manifests from the API server. Second, volume backups as snapshots corresponding to PersistentVolumeClaim resources.
What is not backed up?
Cluster configuration, container images, external service states, and volume types other than Persistent Disk - such as Filestore NFS and Google Cloud NetApp Volumes - are not backed up.
Does Backup for GKE work with Autopilot clusters?
The documentation lists both Autopilot and Standard clusters as supported cluster types.
What is a RestorePlan for?
A RestorePlan provides a reusable restore template that specifies the target cluster, conflict handling, and transformation rules.
Note: All product information on this page has been compiled with care, but is provided without guarantee and may be outdated or incomplete. Cloud services evolve rapidly — features, pricing, SLAs, and availability change frequently. Authoritative and up-to-date information can only be found on the official product page of Google Cloud (official documentation). This page does not represent an offer by Google Cloud.
