ON-Archive for Data Recovery (SAP Library - SAP Database Guide: Informix (BC-DB-INF-DBA))

ON-Archive for Data Recovery

Use

ON-Archive is one of a number of tools for data recovery (that is, database archive, logical-log backup, and restore) with your Informix database. ON-Archive is only available on UNIX platforms. ON-Archive provides the following functions:

Archive database (including archive of selected dbspaces)

Back up logical-log files

Restore data from archives and backups (including restore of selected dbspaces)

You can perform unattended and parallel database archives and logical-log backups with ON-Archive . SAP and Informix provide scripts making it easier to use ON-Archive .

Integration

If you choose ON-Archive as your data recovery tool, you must do all your logical-log backups and database archives with it.

Caution

The archives and backups written by ON-Bar , ON-Archive , and ontape are not compatible. You cannot mix tapes from these tools. Do not use one tool to back up the logical log and the other to archive the database.

Compared to the other tools available, ON-Archive offers a wide range of functions but is complex. For the latest Informix tool, allowing you to use third-party storage managers, choose ON-Bar. For a data recovery tool that is easier to use but with reduced functionality, choose ontape. For more information about the differences between the Informix data recovery tools, see Comparison of ON-Bar, ON-Archive, and ontape for Data Recovery.

When using ON-Archive , SAP recommends that you use the following tools:

SAP scripts

These make it easier to set up and use ON-Archive .

The DBA Planning Calendar

This is part of the Computing Center Management System (CCMS) in the SAP System and helps you to easily schedule database archives and logical-log backups.

Prerequisites

If you are new to ON-Archive , see Getting Started with ON-Archive. Before you start using ON-Archive for data recovery, you must:

Work out your approach to data recovery with ON-Archive . Refer to Approach to Archive (ON-Archive) and Approach to Logical-Log Backup (ON-Archive).

Configure ON-Archive according to the requirements of your chosen approach. Refer to Configuration of ON-Archive.

Features

Some of the important features of ON-Archive are:

Database archive and logical-log backup to either tape or disk

Parallel operation in both archive and recovery mode

Unattended mode (that is, operator-free)

Tracking database archive and logical-log backup events in sysmaster database

Access control for data recovery operations

See also:

Informix documentation at http://www.informix.com