Re: 7x24 database backup - unix

> audd_at_nmti.com (karlene audd) writes:
>
> Our production data base is a 7x24 system that can never be shutdown
> (on purpose). In order to back it up I know that a cold backup is
> needed. From then on a hot backup will need to be done at some
> regular interval. My question is do we need to keep all these
> backups in order to restore the data base? Over time (months, years)
> this could really add up. I hope I am missing something very basic!
> Any light you can shed on this subject will be greatly appreciated.
>
> Thanks,
>
> Karlene Audd
> Bailey Network Management
> Houston, TX
> audd_at_nmti.com
>
>>>>

To restore a database that was backed up using the "warm" or "archivelog" method, you do not need a cold backup. You will need the following:

1. A good control file.
2. The .dbf files from the warm backup
3. All archive log files created since the warm backup started
4. Any redo log files that haven't been archived yet.

Before considering a database "production", you should simulate several crashes to make sure you have everything you need to restore the database.

I also like to do an export at the same time backups run. In some situations, exports are not pratical, though. It is a lot easier to restore a single table from an export than from a complete backup.

Will Kooiman Received on Sun Aug 20 1995 - 00:00:00 CEST