SUMMARY: SyBase System 11 Backup Question

From: <aaustin_at_cmr.com>
Date: Wed, 3 Jul 1996 10:30:55 -0500

Sorry for the delay in posting a summary, but I was out of the office last week.

Thanks to all who responded:

Jeff Stelzner <jeffs_at_esca.com>
alan_at_nabeth.cxo.dec.com


My original question:
====================
System: Digital Alpha 8400 running Digital Unix 3.2e

We're looking for information/experiences in backing up SyBase System 11
databases (100gb+) on a Digital UNIX platform. SQL Backtrack, a tool which
allows table level backups/restores, among other features, is not yet
available on Digital UNIX and will not be until 1997. What we need to know
is:

     1) Which tape media is preferable? - we're leaning toward DLT stackers
     2) What tools, if any, can be used to control DLT robotics?
     3) Any other tools which integrate well in a Sybase environment?
     4) Any tips/techniques relating to the process (including scripts)?

We've checked the archive and found nothing specific to our needs, although
there does seem to be consensus that DLT stackers are the way to go for
such a large amount of data.

Any help/suggestions will be appreciated.


Responses:
=========

----------------------------------------------------------------
From: Jeff Stelzner <jeffs_at_esca.com>

What we do on NT is pretty easy:

  1. Use AT to run isql scripts to put Sybase dumps on disk
  2. Use Arcada Backup Exec to copy disk dumps to tape
  3. Keep 2-3 previous dumps online for fast restore

Under DU I would use cron and Polycenter NSR [Legato Networker] to do the
same thing. The reason is that NSR is setup to handle the jukebox
robotics, index tapes, etc., so you don't have to set it all up by hand
for Sybase.

----------------------------------------------------------------
From: alan_at_nabeth.cxo.dec.com

        1) Which ever ones offers the best combination of price,
            performance and reliability? I happen to prefer DLT
            myself since the capacity is relatively high, the
            drive and data reliability are very high and the
            performance is good. On the other hand, the per
            media price may be relatively high.

            For 100 GB of data assuming 2:1 compression a 5 slot
            TZ87 is close to enough. But, whatever backup software
            you have will have to cope with tape changes. The
            7 slot loader will give you space to grow the database
            if the data compresses well enough. The TZ88 based
            loaders provide even more space.

            It is important that you determine how well the data
            compresses to estimate the needed capacity.

        2. Digital DLT loaders, libraries and RDAT loads should
            include a copy of the Media Robot Utility in the
            box(*). This is host software that runs on Digital UNIX
            and OpenVMS to provide control of the robots on these
            tape drives. If a copy isn't included in the partiuclar
            box that you get, then you probably got an older box,
            but the software can be ordered separately. V1.0 provides
            a simple CLI interface, but V1.1 should provide a graphic
            user interface when available.

            (*) Some boxes don't yet, but that will be changing in
            the coming months.

        4. The CLI works well in scripts.



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Received on Wed Jul 03 1996 - 17:15:21 NZST

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