Database Copy 

Purpose

You can use a database copy to test new applications, to check the database structures without affecting operation or to set up a new standby database, for example. You also need a database copy to create a system copy of an SAP system.

To copy a database, use a complete data backup.

Original Instance and Copy

Prerequisites

·        Original and target computers are compatible, see Compatible Processor Architectures for Database Copies

To execute a database copy on a non-compatible processor architecture, use the Loader database tool.

·        The target instance uses the same version of the database software as the original instance.

Process Flow

You use the Database Manager database tool.

...

       1.      You create a complete data backup of the original instance on a backup medium; see

¡        Database Manager GUI, Backup Wizard

¡        Database Manager CLI, Backing Up the Database Instance

       2.      You initialize an existing target instance or create a new target instance using the for recovery option:

                            a.      For the database parameters of the target instance, you use the database parameter values of the original instance.

                            b.      In the target instance, you create volumes that are large enough for importing the data backup from the original instance.

                            c.      In the target instance, you define a backup medium that is compatible with the backup medium on which you created the data backup of the original instance.

See:

¡        Database Manager GUI, Initializing an Existing Database Instance and Creating a Database Instance

¡        Database Manager CLI, Initializing an Existing Database Instance and Creating a Database Instance

       3.      Import the complete data backup of the original instance to the target instance.

You must not transfer the target instance into the ONLINE operational state before you import the data backup from the original instance. If the target instance has already been in the ONLINE operational state, reinitialize the target instance.

You can use pipes to transport the data backup.

See:

¡        Database Manager GUI: Restoring Without a Backup History

¡        Database Manager CLI, Restoring a Database Instance with Initialization

       4.      You transfer the target instance to the ONLINE operational state.

       5.      You update the system tables in the target instance. You enter the database system administrator. See:

¡        Database Manager GUI, Updating the System Tables

¡        Database Manager CLI, Loading the System Tables

       6.      If necessary, restore indexes in the target instance that are no longer current (BAD INDEXES). See:

¡        Database Manager GUI, Restoring Indexes After a Database Restore

¡        Database Manager CLI, Restoring a Damaged Index

See also:

Replication and High Availability