Database Backup Schedules

> From: 15SAS133.HQAMC@MHS.SAFB.AF.MIL (Davis, SrA Jeff) > To: informix-list@rmy.emory.edu > > We are taking responsibility for a turn-key system and are in the initial > phases of setting up maintenance schedules. One of our first tasks is to > come up with a Informix database backup schedule. Our database will > initially be about 18 to 20 gigs large and will grow about 1 to 1.5 gigs > a year. We have read a couple backup schedule recommendations from > Informix literature, but, we gather, these are just general > recommendations and not meant for every system. One recommendation was > to do 0 level backups every 3 days; 1 level backups every day and to not > use 2 level backups at all. Another was to do 0 level backups once a > month; 1 level backups once a week and 2 level backups every day. > [...] First, RTFM. OnLine Administrator's Guide (v5.0) pg3-40. Joe Lumbley's book probably has good things to say (though I don't yet have a copy.) Now that we have a clue, here's the real deal... We got a big digital linear tape (DLT) drive that holds 20GB, and we do a level 0 every day. There are several things to beware of, though: Informix won't support tape-drive level compression more than 1 archive per tape (of course that doesn't mean you can't do it...) There are bugs on the DEC Alpha & 7.1 when restoring from >1 tape (I don't know about other platforms) You have to do real-life testing of your archives to be SURE they work the way you think they do. BTW, are you just going to keep growing, or have you thought about a way to purge off old records? __________________________________________________________________ | Clem Akins Standard Disclaimers Apply | |Reynolds Metals Co, Alloys Plant "Climb High, Cave Deep!" | | Muscle Shoals, Alabama USA cwakins@leia.alloys.rmc.com | |________________________________________________________________|