InfluxDB provides multiple approaches for migrating time-series data between systems or performing backups.

Exporting Data

Command-Line Query Export

The influx command-line interface allows direct querying and exporting of measurements to external files.

influx -database 'target_db' -execute 'SELECT * FROM sensor_data' -format 'csv' > backup.csv

Binary Data Export

The inspection utility can create snapshots of the database storage in text format.

influx_inspect export -datadir /var/lib/influxdb/data -waldir /var/lib/influxdb/wal -out /backup/location/snapshot.txt

REST API Queries

Database contents can be retrieved through HTTP endpoints and stored locally.

curl -G 'http://localhost:8086/query?pretty=true' \
     --data-urlencode "db=target_db" \
     --data-urlencode "q=SELECT * FROM sensor_data" > results.json

Importing Data

CSV File Loading

Load structured data from comma-separated values files into the database.

influx -import -path=data/input.csv -precision=ms

Batch Text Import

Process large volumes of line protocol formatted data through file input.

influx -import -path=/data/readings.txt -precision=ns

HTTP Write Operations

Insert records programmatically using the write endpoint.

curl -i -XPOST 'http://localhost:8086/write?db=target_db' \
     --data-binary @readings.txt

Snapshot Restoration

Restore previously exported binary snapshots back into the system.

influx_inspect import -compressed /backup/snapshot.txt

Supporting Tools

Administrative Interface

Chronograf offers graphical capabilities for managing database migrations through its web dashboard.

Visualization Platform

Grafena integrates with InfluxDB to provide query interfaces that facilitate data extraction workflows.

Collection Agent

Telegraf serves as a collection daemon that can route data streams botth into and out of InfluxDB through configurable plugins.