The initial backup files might not be in a consistent state, because data could be changed while the backup is running. These initial files are known as the raw backup. The next step is to update the backup files so that they reflect the state of the database corresponding to a specific InnoDB log sequence number. (The same kind of operation as crash recovery. When this step is complete, these final files are known as the prepared backup.

During the backup, ibbackup copies the accumulated InnoDB log to a file called ibbackup_logfile. This log file is used to “roll forward” the backed-up data files, so that every page in the data files corresponds to the same log sequence number of the InnoDB log.

The option for applying the log is --apply-log. In the prior InnoDB Hot Backup Product, this option was called --restore, but that option was renamed because it prepares the data to be restored, rather than actually restoring it.

This phase also creates new ib_logfiles that correspond to the data files.