Backing up databases for UNIX

Because the data stored in Rational® Synergy databases is critical, you must perform routine backups. If there is ever a major system failure (such as disk crash), your Rational Synergy database backup might be your only means of recovering your data. Use the ccmdb backup command to ensure reliable backups of Rational Synergy databases. This command was designed to ensure that the database metadata and the storage root (st_root) subdirectory in the backup are synchronized.

Before you begin

For InformixIf you did not set up CCM_HOME and PATH for user informix during installation, set these environment variables now.

About this task

The ccmdb backup command also runs the following commands, which improves the speed of database queries:

ccmdb check (UNIX on Informix®) or ccmdb check (UNIX on Oracle)

ccmdb update_statistics (UNIX on Informix)

This synchronization is accomplished by locking the database, dumping the database data, saving the storage root files, and then unlocking the database. While users need not exit their sessions during a backup, the changes they make to their files during a backup might not be backed up.

Information must reside in the database to be successfully backed up. If data is in a user work area, but not in the database, it is not backed up. The ccmdb backup and ccmdb pack commands archive information from the metadata and file systems of the database. They do not back up work areas. Users with copy-based work areas must reconcile changes before the administrator runs the backup. If changes are not reconciled, changes to work areas must be backed up separately.

Use either the ccmdb backup and ccmdb pack command to ensure that the backup contains all required information. Do not rely on file system backup utilities to back up the Rational Synergy database. Ensure successful recovery by using only Rational Synergy backup commands.

You also can use database server archive and restore procedures, or a database dump, but these procedures can require more manual steps. Use ccmdb backup if it is possible and practical for your site.

Procedure

To back up databases for UNIX:

  1. Log on to the database server.
  2. Set user to ccm_root.
    $ su - ccm_root
    Password: *****
  3. Broadcast a message to users.

    Immediately notify users that you are backing up the database so that they know the database will be locked.

    Any changes made to files in a user work area are not backed up by ccmdb backup. Ensure that users reconcile before the backup takes place.

    For example, notify tstgonzo database users that you are backing up the database, as follows:

    $ ccm message -database /vol/hydra/ccmdb/tstgonzo \
    "Backing up database in 5 minutes."
  4. Check the database and create a compressed backup (.sbk) file.

    For example, check the tstgonzo database and back it up, as follows:

    $ ccmdb backup /vol/hydra/ccmdb/tstgonzo -to /vol/sue/backups

    Create the backup file in a directory that is backed up regularly through normal file system backup procedures, or at least in a directory on an independent file system.

  5. Broadcast a message that the backup is complete.

    For example, send a message to all tstgonzo database users:

    $ ccm message -database /vol/hydra/ccmdb/tstgonzo "Back up complete."

  6. Exit from user ccm_root.

Feedback