Re: Archive failure, rtn 256
On 25 May 1995, Special system engineer wrote: > > Hello, Informix Expert: > > We are running informix online 5.01 UD1 on HP-UX 9000. > > The program cancelled at 28'th tape when executing Level 0 archive, > and give us a return code 256 (Transaction not available). > > Our Level 0 archive is running under "QUIESCENT MODE", so there > is no transaction and we are not planning to have any tranaction. Also > I do believe at that time, all user off duty and no user background process > running. > > As I know, our other small site also have this problem, they just do > it again. But in this site, total backup will use 29 tapes (200 MB / tape). > > Any one can explain this or give any comment are wellcom. > > Thanks. > Boy, are you looking for trouble. 29 tapes for a level 0 archive @200MB per tape. That is incredible. You are begging for restoration problems. In addition, you need to use a person (a tape hanger) to change tapes, label them (while keeping the proper order), storage considerations must be incredible, and if you do level 1's or 2's........ Why don't you save yourself major headaches, time, and manpower resources. Buy a real tape drive, one capable of storing either 2GB, 5 GB, 8GB, or 14GB. These are available (hopefully for your OS) and can be justified by the cost savings in manpower by reducing the "tapehanger person". By using these larger tapes, you can automate your level 1 and 2 archives. I don't know if you ever had to do a complete restore of 29 tapes. As an experienced DBA, I have done restores of an 8 GB database (20 - 9 track reels) and everytime, I had to pray that we would be able to read every tape. If doing database schema changes or migrations to new operating systems (or informix versions), we used to make 2 copies of the level 0 (for the 9 track tapes) and still do when using 5GB 8mm tapes. Good luck, I really mean it. You are going to need it if you continue to use those 200MB tapes. Darin +----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | | | | . . | | | ... ... | Darin Melin | | ..... ..... | Software Engineer, DBA | | .. ... .. | Business Systems Integration Group | | . . . | Semiconductor Products Sector - LATG | | | 2200 West Broadway Road, MD M300 | | | Mesa, AZ 85202 | | Motorola, Inc. | rp29560@email.sps.mot.com Phone:(602) 655-3627 | | | melin@hermes1.sps.mot.com FAX: (602) 655-2820 | | | Director - Arizona Informix Users Group | +----------------------------------------------------------------------------+ | 'connectionLESS IS MORE' -- Data Broker | +----------------------------------------------------------------------------+