7 Frequently Asked Questions

This chapter answers frequently asked questions concerning the content described in this book and includes the following information:

How do I check the status of the DIVArchive Backup Service?

Check the DIVArchive Backup Service status using the dbbackup status command from the command-line interface. See DIVArchive Backup Service Status Command for detailed information.

How do I failover to a Backup System when the Main Manager System has failed?

See Failure Scenarios and Recovery Procedures for the complete procedure.

How do I recover when a complex object's Metadata file is corrupted in the Main Manager System?

The DIVArchive Backup Service backs up the Metadata Database file by file. After the file is backed up to the backup systems, any corruption to, or modifications of, the Metadata files are not propagated to the backup systems.

If a complex object Metadata file is corrupted, restore the Metadata file from one of the backup systems.

In the unlikely event of disk corruption due to hardware failure occurring before the Backup Service has backed up the Metadata files, the non-backed up Metadata files can only be restored from a tape or disk. The feature to restore Metadata files from tape or disk is not currently available in this DIVArchive release. Contact Oracle Support for assistance.

How do I recover a complex object's Metadata file when it is corrupted in the Backup Manager System?

Oracle recommends always making backup copies to two separate backup systems to handle these scenarios. Restore the Metadata file from the Secondary Backup System or Main Manager System.

When a Metadata file is manually deleted from Main Manager System, is it also deleted from all backup systems?

Manually deleted Metadata files are not propagated to any backup systems.

How do I recover when a complex object's Metadata file is manually deleted in Main Manager System?

Execute the dbbackup.bat reconcile command to identify which complex object is missing the Metadata file. Restore the Metadata file from one of the backup systems.

How do I recover when a complex object's Metadata File is lost on the Main Manager System and all backup systems?

You can restore Metadata files from tape or disk. The feature to restore Metadata files from tape or disk is not currently available in this DIVArchive release. Contact Oracle Support for assistance.

How do I recover when the backup disk fails, or gets corrupted, on the Main Manager System?

Disk failures, or corruption, requires a failover to the Backup Manager. See Failure Scenarios and Recovery Procedures for the complete procedure.

How do I configure a full backup to start when the Backup Service starts?

The DIVArchive Backup Service automatically determines if a full backup is required when it starts. There is no configuration required.

How do I locate a complex object's Metadata inside the Metadata Database?

Contact Oracle Support for assistance.

How does the Metadata Database maintain its recovery window when a complex object is deleted?

See Database Backup Recovery Window for detailed information.

How do I turn off GUI Backup Service Notifications?

You can turn off notifications by deselecting the check box for the Database Backup Notification parameter under the Manager Setting panel in Configuration Utility.

Can the DIVArchive Manager and Oracle Database be installed on separate servers?

No, they must be installed on the same server because the DIVArchive Backup Service does not support Manager and Oracle installations on separate servers in this DIVArchive release.

Does the recovery window apply to both Oracle Secure Backups and Metadata Backups?

Yes, the recovery window setting applies to both backups.

How do I estimate the size for the Metadata Database location?

See Sizing the Metadata Database for detailed information.

Where do I configure the location of the Metadata Database?

You configure the location of the Metadata Database using the Complex Objects Metadata Location parameter in the Manager Setting panel in Configuration Utility.

What information is stored in the Metadata Database file?

All file details including file names, folder names, location, size, checksums, and so on.

Is the information stored in the Metadata Database irreplaceable or mission critical?

Oracle always recommends having at least two backup copies of the Metadata Database. You use the DIVArchive Backup Service to back up the Metadata Database. In a worst case scenario, use the Oracle Archive eXchange Format Explorer to recover the object from tape if the Metadata Database file of a particular object is lost.

Why is this information not being stored in the existing Oracle Database?

The amount of Metadata information is huge. Complex objects are supported up to 1,000,000 files. Currently, the Oracle Database in use does not have any scalability features to support complex object workflows.

What are the space requirements for the Metadata Database and data? Does it depend on the quantity of objects, the complexity of those objects, or something else?

See Sizing the Metadata Database for detailed information.

What if a customer has, for example, 1,000,000 objects, each with 100,000 files?

The Metadata Database is very scalable and can handle this amount with no issues.

What are the consequences of the Metadata Database becoming inoperable, corrupt, or missing? Will data loss, performance loss, or something else occur?

You will not be able to process complex object requests if the database becomes inoperable. You can restore from one of the backup copies if the database becomes corrupt, or is missing.

What are the consequences of the Metadata Database running out of available storage space? Will data loss, performance loss, or something else occur?

In this case you will not be able to process any complex object requests. See Sizing the Metadata Database for detailed information.

What tools exist for testing or verifying the integrity of the Metadata Database? Are the tools automatic, invoked manually, or can either method be used?

Currently there are no tools that exist to check the database integrity. Contact Oracle Support if you need assistance.

What tools exist for backing up the Metadata Database? Are the tools automatic, invoked manually, or can either method be used?

Always use the DIVArchive Backup Manager Service to back up the Metadata Database.

What tools exist for recovering the Metadata Database if loss or corruption occurs? What is the procedure to execute recovery, and is any of the recovery automatic?

See Failure Scenarios and Recovery Procedures for the complete procedure.

Does the storage location of the live database affect performance or space, and is it critical?

Yes, it is both performance and space critical. See Chapter 2 for installation and configuration procedures.

Can the location of the Metadata Database backups be configured?

Yes, you can configure the backup location. See Chapter 4 for DIVArchive Backup Service installation and configuration procedures.