Bnkr

What Bnkr is

Bnkr is a Kubernetes backup and migration application for data inside a cluster, rather than a tool for backing up the entire cluster. It can back up files in Pods, Deployments, and StatefulSets, as well as databases in MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, and MongoDB. Schedules can run hourly, daily, weekly, monthly, yearly, or according to a cron formula, and manual backup and restore are supported. Bnkr can send email notices about successful or failed backups and migrations to multiple recipients. Its bidirectional migration feature moves files and supported databases between Kubernetes, servers, and S3. The project describes Bnkr as a single-binary web server that can run as a Kubernetes deployment with a service account able to access the data being backed up. Its README recommends the official image because some backup dependencies are external tools. Bnkr is available on the web and for self-hosting, is MIT licensed, and lists a free plan at no cost with no usage limit stated.

Who it suits

Bnkr suits teams that need scheduled or manual backups of files and supported databases inside Kubernetes, or migration between Kubernetes, servers, and S3. It targets cluster data rather than whole-cluster backup.

Getting started

1. Visit the Bnkr website to get started.
2. Choose web access or self-host Bnkr.
3. For Kubernetes deployment, use a service account with sufficient access to the data being backed up.
4. Consider the official image, which the README recommends because some backup dependencies are external tools.
5. Configure a manual or scheduled backup and, if needed, email notifications.

Verdict

Bnkr combines file and database backups with restore, notifications, and migration. Its stated scope is valuable data inside Kubernetes, so it is not presented as a whole-cluster backup solution.