I have a large database 6 Gig+ and will need a better backup solution in
the near future. This database is composed of all of the properties in Los
Angeles county and is read only for our customers. Between 1000 and 4000
records per day are changed or added depending on county recordings.

Customers now can access this database daily between 7am and 7pm. This
gives us plenty of time for maintenance evenings and weekends. Within a
year this database will have to be available 24/7, this is where my problem
comes in. Doing a backup with GBAK as it is will not be an option because
for the 4+ hours it runs no one can use the database because GBAK hogs the
processor. I suppose the best solution will be replication as this will
give me a backup database that can be used within minutes.

I am also wondering about a solution involving GBAK. Would it be possible
to have GBAK yield to other database use? For example when GBAK is running
and someone runs a query or is connecting to the database have GBAK pause
this would allow the fastest possible backup without blocking database use.
Another option might be to throttle GBAK down so it takes far longer to
backup but it affects users minimally.


At 06:43 PM 6/16/00 -0700, you wrote:

>> First the problem, then the solution.
>
>I thought I had made the problem sufficiently clear. I'll recap and extend
>it some to clarify.
>
>Requirements:
>Huge database. (many GB worth of data)
>Database needs to stay on-line 24X7.
>98% static & generally inserts only.
>In case of failure, downtime needs to be minimized.
>Immediate failover isn't critical.
>Cannot lose over one day's work but up to that is tolerable.
>All input sources are available for two days to be re-entered if necessary.
>
>Problem.
>Obtaining an efficient backup on a regular basis.
>Efficient meaning the total I/O and CPU toasted in the process, among other
>things.
>
>Problem extension #1:
>Same huge database.
>Needing to be sync'd with many remote copies on a daily basis.
>Real-time is not necessary.
>Remote copies are for inquiry only.
>Potentially low and/or expensive bandwidth constraints.
>New base versions are express-mailed via DVD media or DAT.
>
>Problem extension #2:
>Same huge database.
>DBA needs to cancel out an entire days work due to certain problems
>encountered.
>Database needs to stay on-line.
>
>Have at it. That should cover most of it.
>
>Jason Wharton
>CPS - Mesa AZ
>http://www.ibobjects.com
>
>Now, I would like to share a comment or two from my perspective regarding
>the content of this list.
>
>What I would really appreciate is this list not be mandated to operate on
>the strictly professional software engineering practices as I'm being jammed
>into here. You guys that are actually responsible for what goes into the
>source code of InterBase and shipped out on the CD with your reputation on
>the line can do whatever you want in your own private meetings and
>discussions. That's all well and expected. But, if someone like me who is
>curious to know something about the architecture of InterBase in an area
>where they have some ideas, let's explore them without running them through
>the ringer making them dot their I's and cross their T's.
>
>This is a community forum designed to attract people into contributing all
>sorts of crazy ideas and for learning. Jim, your arrogance is really
>distasteful and it will not bind a community together. You constantly
>insinuate that I'm sharing stupid ideas without having first given them some
>real thought and you don't hesitate to belittle and twist the material that
>I am presenting. If you continue to dish out that kind of treatment I don't
>think it is going to do any ultimate good for this open source/open
>community endeavor. I may be sharing some stupid ideas and thank God a lot
>of them will probably never be implemented. But, come on, I don't have to
>feel like I'm an inch tall for doing it. And moreso, I don't want anyone
>else involved with the IBDI to experience this either. I appreciate Chris'
>more empathetic and suggesting tone. That's what will build a community.
>
>My humble $0.02 worth.
>
>Jason Wharton
>InterBase Developer Initiative
>http://www.interbase2000.org
>
>InterBase will be the database of the new millennium
>
>
>
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