Jira database backup grows 19 MB per day

Question

Hello there,

We use a simple backup script for our Jira instance (on a Windows Server with MS SQL).

The script is just a basic MS SQL backup instruction:

backup database jiradb to disk = @filename with init, compression
go

where `filename` has been declared above.

However, even if nobody use our Jira instance (e.g. during summer holidays), the backup grows every day by approximately 19 MB, until it reaches 1.3 GB. At that moment the next day it starts again from something closer to 22-23 MB (which seems to me the right size of the backup; we have a small Jira instance).

Have you got any suggestion about what could be duplicated everyday in our backups?

Thank you for your time!
Alessandro

EDIT:

Just to add some details, the following screenshot shows the diff of two subsequent backups. As you can see there is almost no difference in rows but there are still 19 MB in size.

Alessandro Tondo · Answer

I've attached a screenshot of two backups diff.

@Alexander Pappert have you got additional hints?

Alessandro Tondo · Answer

Thanks Alexander for the suggestion.

We indeed use Automation for Jira, but I see just few entries in the audit log since August 1st. We have set only one daily cron job, while the other rules are all event triggered.

Since the growing seems really regular of something close to 19 MB (even during the weekend and holidays), it seems something that does not depend on what people do on Jira.

I have not said that we use an older Jira instance v7.11.1. I have not checked yet if there was some related bug resolved later.

Alexander Pappert · Answer

do you use some addons like Automation for jira?
https://docs.automationforjira.com/knowledge-base/expire-audit-log-items.html

or active Directory?
These updates are listed under Administration -> Audit log -> user updated

check if pages unde Audit log are growing fast