The CCMS profile maintenance tool archives the profiles as operating system files, and also stores a reference copy in the database. The database copy contains a reference character that is used to create the profiles at the operating system level. This process is called activating a profile. The reverse process is importing a profile into the database at operating system level.

This process has the following advantages:

• Profile data cannot be manipulated without authorization for profile maintenance

• Profile data is saved with database backups

• The history of profile changes is stored in the database

• You can create profiles at operating system level from the profile data in the database (older versions can be restored at any time)

• Profile data in the database forms the basis for the description of application servers for operation mode switching.