What is the difference between RDS snapshots, RDS Automated Backups, and RDS Auto Replicated Backups?

Thank you for your questions about RDS backups and snapshots. I'll address each of your points:

1. The differences between RDS snapshots, RDS Automated Backups, and RDS Auto Replicated Backups for PostgreSQL databases are:

RDS Snapshots:

• User-initiated manual backups
• Retained until manually deleted
• Capture the entire DB instance state at a specific point in time
• Can be used to restore the DB instance to that exact state

RDS Automated Backups:

• Automatically taken by RDS daily during a specified backup window
• Retained for a set period (default 7 days, up to 35 days)
• Include daily snapshots and transaction logs
• Allow point-in-time recovery within the retention period

RDS Auto Replicated Backups:

• Automated backups replicated to another AWS region
• Provide cross-region disaster recovery capabilities
• Use the same retention period as the source region's automated backups

2. Replicated backups are different from snapshots and automated backups in that they:

• Are copies of your automated backups in another AWS region
• Provide an additional layer of data protection and disaster recovery
• Allow you to restore your database in a different region if needed
• Use a separate process from regular snapshots or automated backups

Based on your screenshots, it appears you have snapshots and automated backups in place, but haven't yet set up replicated backups. Enabling replicated backups would copy your automated backups to another region, enhancing your disaster recovery capabilities.

Remember that while snapshots and automated backups are stored in the same region as your DB instance, replicated backups provide cross-region protection. This can be crucial for business continuity in case of a region-wide outage.

Sources
AWS RDS Postgres Snapshot questions | AWS re:Post
RDS Snapshot vs Automated Backups | AWS re:Post
RDS Continuous backup solution | AWS re:Post