Backing Up the Logical Log in the DBA Planning Calendar (Informix) 

Use

You can use the DBA Planning Calendar in the Computing Center Management System (CCMS) to schedule logical-log backups for the Informix database. You can follow this procedure if you use the Informix data recovery tools ON-Bar or ON-Archive.

You can create a logical-log backup for the Informix database with the DBA Planning Calendar in the Computing Center Management System (CCMS) by using the following methods:

·        Normal scheduled logical-log backup

With this you can back up the logical log including the currently used log file at the scheduled time. This is the method described in this section.

·        Automatic logical-log backup

With ON-Archive you can use this method to trigger logical-log backup. This works by detecting the fill level of the logical log. When a pre-defined level is reached, the backup job triggered to run. Therefore, you must make sure that the correct tape volume is always mounted. This method offers you an extra level of security to avoid the logical log filling up.

For more information, see Backing Up the Logical Log (Automatic) in the DBA Planning Calendar (Informix).

SAP recommends that you use both methods for extra security. Always keep a dedicated tape drive free when backing up logs automatically.

If the logical logs are not backed up before they completely fill, you need to perform an emergency backup. This is complex, time-consuming and leads to unplanned downtime for your system. You can avoid this by devising a sensible backup schedule with the Calendar. Always make sure that the correct empty tape is loaded in the appropriate tape drive. See Preventing Emergency Logical-Log Backup.

If you need to execute a logical-log backup immediately, see Scheduling Actions in the DBA Planning Calendar.

For more information about logical-log backup, see Logical-Log Backup.

Prerequisites

·         You are ready to use CCMS. Refer to Getting Started in CCMS with DBA Tasks for Informix.

·        You know how to use the DBA Planning Calendar. For more information, see:

For more information about scheduling an action (for example, a logical-log backup) in the DBA Planning Calendar, see Scheduling Actions in the DBA Planning Calendar.

·        Your storage devices are ready and have media loaded with enough available space. For example, if using tape, your tape device is ready to receive data and you have loaded a tape with enough available space.

Procedure

...

       1.      Choose CCMS ® DB Administration ® DBA Planning Calendar.

       2.      Choose the day when you want the logical-log backup to take place.

       3.      Choose Create action.

       4.      Select Logical-Log Backup (ON-Bar) or Logfile Backup (ON-Archive).

For more information about creating a logical-log backup outside CCMS, see:

·   Creation of a Logical-Log Backup (ON-Bar)

·   Creation of a Logical-Log Backup (ON-Archive)

       5.      Enter data as required in the fields Start Time, Period (weeks), and Calendar. For more information, see Scheduling Actions in the DBA Planning Calendar.

       6.      Choose Continue.

If your chosen action requires more parameters, the system prompts for them.

For example, with ON-Archive, you have to select the Vset name (that is, volume set name) for the logical-log backup. SAP recommends that you use volume set LOGTAP for logical-log backups. For more information, see Volume Sets and Volumes for ON-Archive.

       7.      Enter data as required and choose Continue.

Result

The logical-log backup is now scheduled. It will be created at the scheduled date and time. For more information about looking at the results of the logical-log backup, see Using the Archive and Backup Monitor in CCMS (Informix).