# Selective Backup Using Percona Operator

**URL:** <https://forums.percona.com/t/selective-backup-using-percona-operator/39034>\
**Category:** Percona Operator for MongoDB\
**Created:** [August 8, 2025, 4:01pm UTC](https://forums.percona.com/t/selective-backup-using-percona-operator/39034 "2025-08-08T16:01:47Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Stateros](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forums.percona.com/stateros/32/2490_2.png) [@Stateros](https://forums.percona.com/u/Stateros)\
**Post date:** [August 8, 2025, 4:01pm UTC](https://forums.percona.com/t/selective-backup-using-percona-operator/39034/1 "2025-08-08T16:01:47Z")

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Hi folks,

I’m working on implementing a selective logical backup for a relatively small collection in our MongoDB cluster managed by the Operator.

### **Context:**

- We have a cluster with two collections:

- We already run daily physical backups of the entire cluster using the Operator.

- Now, I need to set up an hourly backup for just the small collection to support a more frequent recovery point.

### **What I’ve Found:**

- **Percona Backup for MongoDB (PBM)** supports logical backups with namespace filtering (`--ns`), which seems perfect for backing up specific collections. [Make a selective backup - Percona Backup for MongoDB](https://docs.percona.com/percona-backup-mongodb/usage/backup-selective.html)

- However, I’m unclear on how to trigger this kind of selective backup via the Operator’s Custom Resource (CR).

### **Questions:**

1. Is it possible to define a `PerconaBackup` CR that targets only specific collections using the `ns` field or `selective` instruction (like restore)?

2. Are there any examples or best practices for scheduling such backups other way?

Any guidance, examples, or caveats would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks in advance 🙌

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**Author:** ![Ivan\_Groenewold](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forums.percona.com/ivan_groenewold/32/6299_2.png) [@Ivan\_Groenewold](https://forums.percona.com/u/Ivan_Groenewold)\
**Post date:** [August 8, 2025, 5:42pm UTC](https://forums.percona.com/t/selective-backup-using-percona-operator/39034/2 "2025-08-08T17:42:31Z")

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Hi, selective restore is possible but only full backups are supported at this time when using the Operator. Please check out [Restore from a previously saved backup - Percona Operator for MongoDB](https://docs.percona.com/percona-operator-for-mongodb/backups-restore.html#selective-restore) for instructions.

For selective backup I suggest you open a FR if you think it’s also valuable to have in Operator.

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Stateros](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forums.percona.com/stateros/32/2490_2.png) [@Stateros](https://forums.percona.com/u/Stateros)\
**Post date:** [August 8, 2025, 6:21pm UTC](https://forums.percona.com/t/selective-backup-using-percona-operator/39034/3 "2025-08-08T18:21:40Z")

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Thanks @Ivan_Groenewold I’ve created the FR [Jira](https://perconadev.atlassian.net/browse/K8SPSMDB-1432)