Hot Backup

This is an advanced topic and is intended for experienced IT personnel.

This document explains how to put RDM Server into Hot Backup mode. Hot Backup mode permits the database administrator to carry out a backup without denying access to Collect! users, and without significant degeneration of system performance.

While RDM Server is in Hot Backup mode, all changes to the database are stored in a "Hot File" in the CV11\syslog folder. When Hot Backup mode is ended, the changes are written to the database from the stored logs.

Please be aware that this process does NOT actually perform a backup of your database. It simply puts RDM Server into Hot Backup mode so that you can perform your normal backup routine while users are signed into the system.

Hot Backup Batch Files

CV11 ships with two batch files which can be used to enable and disable Hot Backup mode. Each of these files uses the commands listed in a text file and passes them to the administration tools. The startbackup.bat reads the hoton.txtand the endbackup.bat reads the hotoff.txt.

Start Backup Mode

Using the startbackup.bat utility, you can set Hot Backup mode. It may take a minute or two to prepare the database and put in it Hot Backup mode. When the RDS displays the "Hot backup mode started" notification, as illustrated below, carry out your backup as you normally do, backing up all critical files needed to restore your Collect! database.

Hot Backup Mode Started

The CV11\catalog\rdm.chi file, and the contents of theCV11\syslog folder should NOT be included in this backup.

When backup is complete, the endbackup.bat utility is used to end hot backup mode and resume normal procedures.

Hot Backup Batch Script

For a better understanding of what the batch files are doing, here is a summary of how to follow the same steps that the batch file follows, manually.

1. Sign into the CV11 Admin tool by running CV11\bin\rdsadm.exe, and using the RDM Server Name RDS, Userid admin and Passwordsecret

2. Enter the "Hot Backup" menu by entering selection 7.

3. Put the Server in Hot Backup mode by entering selection 1.

4. Re-enter the "Hot Backup" menu by entering selection 7.

5. Detach the Hot Backup session by selecting 4. This means that the Server will stay in Hot Backup mode when you exit the rdsadm tool.

6. Exit the rdsadm tool by entering selection 9. (The batch file does not require this step.)

7. Backup necessary files. Collect! has no way of knowing that you have actually done this, so it is important to ensure that it gets done.

8. Access the Server menu once again and choose "End Backup." The server system log will display a message saying "hot backup mode ended."

9. Again, sign into the CV11 Admin tool by running CV11\bin\rdsadm.exe, using the RDM Server Name RDS, Userid admin and Passwordsecret

10. Enter the "Hot Backup" menu by entering selection 7.

11. Take the Server out of Hot Backup mode by entering selection 6.

12. Select 9 to exit the RDS Administration utility. (The batch file does not require this step.)

You may alternatively run this procedure from graphical admin tool, as follows:

1. Sign into the CV11 Admin utility

2. From the Server menu, choose Start Backup. The server system log will display a message, such as "Hot backup mode started."

3. From the Server menu, choose Detach Backup. The admin tool will display a message, such as "Successful Backup Detach, backup handle = 2."

4. Close the admin tool.

5. Backup necessary files. Collect! has no way of knowing that you have actually done this, so it is important to ensure that it gets done.

6. Sign back into the CV11 Admin tool.

7. From the Server menu, choose End Backup. The server system log will display a message, such as "Hot Backup mode started."

8. Close the admin tool.

If you are going to do your backups this way, it is a good idea to have the backup routine copy the folders you want to back up, to another hard drive on the same system. This is usually much faster than waiting for the time it takes to save it to a tape, or to another box on your network. Once you have returned the database to normal mode, you can back up the copied folder instead. This means you are in hot backup mode for a much shorter time.

Summary

This document outlined the steps for setting Hot Backup Mode so that you can backup your database while enabling workers to continue working in Collect!. For more information, please refer to the Installation/Administration Guide.

See Also

- Backup Database Topics