Understanding Database and Application Backup

Create database backup configurations to back up databases, electronic mail, and other applications—even when the database or application is running, its files are open, and users are actively modifying the data.

If you use database backup configurations and a database or application gets corrupted on your computer, you can use MyLiveVault to roll back the data to a point prior to the data corruption event. Further, the need to run repair utilities on the restored files, such as re-indexing the database, is greatly reduced.

When to create database backup configurations

LiveVault Online Backup and Recovery Service uses technology that works with all databases and applications. Create a database backup configuration when you need to back up multiple files that make up a single database or application.

For example, multi-file databases typically have a set of files that must be updated simultaneously by the database application so that they maintain a proper relationship to each other. Data files and their index files are in this category.

Use database backup configurations to back up:

Databases, such as SQL Server and Oracle.
Messaging applications, such as Microsoft Exchange and Domino/Notes.
E-mail applications, such as cc:Mail.
Applications, such as Goldmine and ACT!.
Other files which must remain synchronized.

To back up Microsoft Exchange, LiveVault Online Backup and Recovery Service prompts you to create a special database backup configuration. To help ensure that your Exchange data is appropriately protected, LiveVault Online Backup and Recovery Service provides special management for this configuration.

Important: Use the Files and Directories backup configuration for your general files and directories; use a database backup configuration only for files and directories that must remain consistent. Do not create a database backup configuration to back up an entire volume unless all files and directories on the entire volume must remain consistent.

Provides data consistency across multiple files

A database backup configuration ensures that a consistent image of the data is maintained across the files backed up by that configuration.

If the files for a database or application are closed when that backup configuration runs, the consistency of the data across the files is not an issue.

However, if any of the database or application files are open and actively changing, the files must be backed up at those times when data is consistent across the files. Otherwise, for example, incomplete transactions may be backed up, leaving a database's files internally inconsistent and resulting in the data being unusable if restored. A database backup configuration ensures the backed up data is consistent.

Specifying the files on a database backup configuration

When you create a database backup configuration, ensure that you select all the files associated with that application or database.

Before setting up the backup configuration, examine your database or application and the files that it uses. Determine the complete list of the files required to run the database or application and that must be backed up in concert to preserve their relationship to each other. For example, include data files, data table files, index files, user files, templates, .ini files, log files, and .exe files.

When creating the backup configuration for the database or application, be sure to select all the files on the list.

If you are unsure about which files need to be backed up for the database or application, it is safest to include all the directories and files associated with that database or application. For example, if you are backing up Microsoft Exchange, specify its highest-level directory, \exchsrvr. The \exchsrvr and all subdirectories and files under that directory are backed up.

Database and application specific notes

Refer to Configuring Your Backup: Guidelines for additional information about backing up specific databases and applications.

Impact of a database backup configuration on your computer's resources

Using a database backup configuration does not noticeably affect system resource usage on your computer.

Related Information

Backing Up Your Data: An Overview
Protecting Open Files and Databases
Configuring Backup
Modifying Backup: An Overview
Restoring Databases or Applications: Key Considerations