Elmar,

> > Copying (backing up via some backup-tool) up a life database
> > (meaning: that's in use by the server process) can cause database
> > corruption.
>
> The corruption should occur only at restore (since the copy is not
> ok), copying the file does not modify it. That makes this more
> dangerous since the restore is usually never done but in the case of
> emergency...

Copying a life data file CAN corrupt the file. The OS can
lock (parts of) the file so that the server process can't write
anymore - hence, database corruption.

With regards,

Martijn Tonies
Database Workbench - developer tool for InterBase, Firebird, MySQL & MS SQL
Server.
Upscene Productions
http://www.upscene.com