Saving the Database

This procedure enables you to save the database to tape. Before performing the save, tlmenu switches the clean log, if Transaction logging is active, and gives you the option of archiving it to tape.

Note

  • Three backup methods are available to tlmenu: the single-deck FILE-SAVE procedure, the multi-deck save and restore utility dbsave, and physical save (realdump). Which of these is used is set up using the Configure backup method command on the Configuration and Setup menu.
  • Where available, the q option aborts the operation and returns you to the host prompt.
  • If you are using Data Encryption, before saving the database you must use the SAVE-REK command to take a copy of your REK file, encrypted with a temporary key. This must be saved separately from the database; see Copying Encrypted Data to another Host for details.

Procedure

  1. Select the Save the Database  option from the Routine Maintenance menu. A message is then displayed describing the purpose of the procedure and asking you to confirm that you wish to continue. If you enter y  at the confirmation prompt, tlmenu continues as follows:

  2. If Transaction Logging is inactive, tlmenu asks if you want to continue with the save. You may wish to start logging before continuing with the save, in which case, enter n  to return to the Routine Maintenance menu. You can then start logging by selecting option 2 on the Configuration and Setup menu.

    If you wish to continue with Transaction Logging inactive, enter y. Then confirm by entering y  a second time. Go to step 6.

  3. If Transaction Logging is active, you are asked to specify the clean log to switch to, before performing the save. A menu similar to the following  is displayed:

    Switching to:
1.  Another Clean Log for today (CLOG990731-01)
2.  Next day's Clean Log (CLOG990801-01)
3.  Clean Log for named day or date
4.  A named Clean Log
Enter option (1-4) : _

    Select the option you require. See Clean Log Menu Options for an explanation of menu options.

  4. Having selected the clean log name, you are asked for confirmation that you want to switch to the specified clean log. Enter y  to confirm that you want to continue with the switch.

  5. You are then asked:

    Do you want to archive previous Clean Log (y/n/q) :
    • Enter y  to archive the clean log. A list of tape units currently configured on the database is displayed, showing their status. You are then prompted to select one to carry out the archive - enter the number of an available tape device to archive the clean log.
    • If you enter n, the archive procedure is omitted. You should archive the log at a later time.

  6. You are then asked:

    Do you want to suppress the VERIFY-SAVE following 
    the Save (y/n/q) ? :

    Caution

    The integrity of the save tape cannot be guaranteed if you suppress VERIFY-SAVE.

    Enter n to verify the save, or y to omit verification. If you enter y, a warning prompt is displayed asking you to confirm that you wish to carry out the save without verifying it.

  7. If the FILE-SAVE/Physical Save (Choose at time of save) option was selected when defining the backup method used by tlmenu, you will be prompted to select the save method to be used:

    Select save method
        1. FILE-SAVE
        2. Physical Save
        Enter option (1-2) :

    Enter 1 or 2  as required.

    The prompts that follow depend on the save method that is selected (either in step 7 above or defined as the backup method used by tlmenu):

    • For FILE-SAVE, continue at step 8.
    • For Physical save, continue at step 14.
    • For dbsave, continue at step 17.

FILE-SAVE

If the FILE-SAVE method is selected you will see the following prompts:

  1. Will FILE-SAVE be multi-reel, if unsure select yes (y/n/q) ? :

    Enter y  or n  as appropriate. If you are not sure whether the FILE-SAVE will fit on one tape, enter y.

  2. Enter tape record block length (if other than 16000) :

    Enter the required record size. Press RETURN to accept the default value (16000).

  3. The tapes that are available on the local database are then listed and you are prompted to select the one or ones you wish to use.

    • If you entered y  in step 8, enter a comma-separated list of tape numbers.
    • If you entered n  in step 8, enter a single tape number.

  4. Enter tape density (if other than Device Default) :

    Possible values may be 800, 1600, 3200 and 6250 bpi, depending on your system. A density of 1600 or 3200 may be required for compatibility with other systems. A density of 6250 bpi reduces the number of tapes.

    Pressing just RETURN results in the default density, as configured in the database config file.

  5. Enter tape label if desired :

    Enter up 42 characters of text.

  6. Enter start time for save (hh:mm) or return for immediate start :

    Enter the time at which you want the save to start in the format hh:mm. If you just press RETURN, the save will start when you confirm that you are ready (step 22).

    Now go to step 19.

Physical Save

If the Physical Save method is selected you will see the following prompts:

  1. If you selected Physical Save  from the Select save method  menu (step 7), you will be prompted:
    Use default tape unit list [tapeList] (y/n/q) ? : n
    • Enter y  to use the tape list (tapeList) that was selected when defining the backup method used by tlmenu.
    • Enter n  to select different tape units. The tapes that are available on the local database will be listed and you are prompted to select the one or ones you wish to use. Multiple tape numbers must be comma-separated.

  2. Enter start time for save (hh:mm) or return for immediate start :

    Enter the time in the format hh:mm at which you want the save to start. If you just press RETURN, the save will start when you confirm that you are ready (step 22).

  3. Do you wish to execute a CLAIM before the physical save (y/n/q) ? :

    CLAIMcollects blocks of linked space and returns them to contiguous space. If you want to do this before saving, enter y.

    Now go to step 19.

dbsave

If the dbsave method is selected you will see the following prompts:

  1. Enter start time for save (hh:mm) or return for immediate start :

    Enter the time in the format hh:mm at which you want the save to start. If you just press RETURN, the save will start when you confirm that you are ready (step 22).

  2. Do you wish to execute a CLAIM after the dbsave (y/n/q) ? :

    CLAIM collects blocks of linked space and returns them to contiguous space. If you want to do this after saving, enter y.

Clean Log

  1. If Transaction Logging is active, a new clean log is created and logging is switched to the new clean log. Once the clean log switch is completed, if you chose not to archive the previous clean log (step 5), tlmenu continues with the save. Go to step 22.

  2. If you chose to archive the previous clean log, you are prompted to mount the tape for the archive.

    Mount write enabled tape on LOCAL tape unit n for Clean Log archive.
Are you ready to continue (y/n/q) ?

    Ensure that the tape is loaded and the tape unit is on-line and then enter y. tlmenu will archive the clean log to tape and verify the save.

    Note

    An error condition occurring during the save or verification of the clean log, will display the message:

    Warning : Clean Log archive / verify failed.

    Do you want to retry (y/n/q)?:

    Enter y  to retry the archive/verify procedure, or n  to return to the Routine Maintenance menu.

    Once the archive tape has been verified you are asked if you want to remove the clean log from disk.

    Delete Clean Log clog_name from Disk (y/n/q) ? :

    Enter y  to remove the archived clean log from disk.

  3. The save parameters are then listed and you are asked if you are ready to start the save:

    • Enter y  to continue with the save. If you have specified a start time, the save will not start until that time.
    • If you enter n, you will be returned to the start time prompt.

    Note

    If the dbsave method is selected, but the database has not been calibrated, the save will fail. If this occurs, you are asked if you want to calibrate the database. Once this has been done, you can continue with the save.

  4. On completion of the save, if the FILE-SAVE method is selected and you have chosen to verify the save (step 6), you will be asked to confirm that you are ready to verify:

    Are you ready to start the Verify (y/n/q) ? :

    Ensure that the correct tapes are loaded and then enter y  to continue. If you enter n or q, the save will not be verified.