Backup with MaxDB 

Purpose

MaxDB offers these types of backup:

·        Complete data backup

·        Incremental data backup

·        Automatic log backup

·        Interactive log backup

Data backups are consistent copies of database instance data.

You can perform MaxDB backups in either ONLINE or ADMIN operational states. Only a backup in ADMIN state causes system downtime.

In SAP Systems, you use the CCMS, otherwise, you use the Database Manager.

Process Flow

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       1.      You work out your backup strategy before you start production operation of your database. Refer to Concepts of the Database System, Periodic Administrative Tasks.

Use the DBA Planning Calendar in the CCMS if possible to schedule data backups.

A data backup does not also back up the log entries.

       2.      You avoid the log area filling up.

To do this, you can activate the automatic log backup to back up the log segments of the log area as soon as they are full. Use the DBA Planning Calendar in the CCMS to enable AutoLog.

       3.      You consider complete data backup and incremental data backup.

If you have decided that a complete data backup takes too long, use an incremental data backup, which only backs up all updated pages starting with the last complete data backup. For example, perform a complete data backup at the weekend and incremental data backups every day.

       4.      You use parallel backup media for complete or incremental data backups where possible, since this takes less time. However, you cannot back up the log area using parallel media.

       5.      You choose the best method for log backup, according to your requirements.

¡        You use the automatic log backup in the CCMS or Database Manager to back up the unsaved log segments. If a log segment is complete, the log backup is started automatically. After the backup, the log segments are released. Therefore, the log fill level decreases.

¡        You use the interactive log backup in the CCMS or Database Manager to back up the entire unsaved portion of the log.

       6.      You keep more than one generation of backups. If a complete data backup is faulty, you then still have an older version available that you can use – together with subsequent incremental data backups and log backups – to fully restore the database.

The time required for backup depends on the machine load and the throughput of the backup devices (for example, disks are faster than tapes).

See also:

Concepts of the Database System, Backup and Recovery