Re: backup - openVMS 7.3-1 and Oracle 8.1.7

I completely agree with the cost, perceived vs real. But not everybody here counts the same way.

It's like they wouldn't pay for insurance because it's too expensive.

Actually, restoring this db is between 3 and 4 hours. They can live with that.

Thanks for your comments

-- 
Syltrem

OpenVMS 7.3-1 + Oracle 8.1.7.4
http://pages.infinit.net/syltrem (OpenVMS related web site, en français)
---zulu is not in my email address---
"Michael Austin" <maustin_at_firstdbasource.com> a écrit dans le message de
news:2muLc.16522$N66.7484_at_newssvr23.news.prodigy.com...


> Syltrem wrote:

> > Hi

> >

> > My problem with RMAN is cost.

> >

> > It needs a full blown tape library to run, AFAIK (unless you're willing

to


> > first copy to disk using RMAN, then manually backup to tape).

>

> Not true!! As I said we did RMAN disk-to-disk and then had another cluster

> member move it to 2 copies of the tape (one for onsite and one for offsite

> storage.)  The tape is the last ditch effort should something happen to

the 2


> full copies plus incrementals.

>

> The details of the backup strategy were actually a LOT more complicated.

We


> used the HP Storage Works EVA technology to create snapshots (logical

pointer in


> the storage system) that pointed to the actual data.  It was from this

snapshot


> that the backups were moved to tape.  When you have over 200 databases

with the


> smallest in the 3-400GB range, your "cost" perspective is dramatically

> different. :)  This particular data center is approaching ~350TB of SAN

storage.


>    95% OpenVMS, 5% AIX.

>

>

> >

> > Pls correct me if I'm wrong, because if I could, I sure would use RMAN.

> > At this time I backup to my tape drive. DB size (prod) is 100GB so I can

> > still handle it. I do full backups every day.

> >

>

> If you haven't had to do a full restore, you should try it to a test

system and


> see if the cost of downtime can be tolerated for the duration of reading

it back


> from tape. The way they were able to justify the configuration was by

handing


> the technical staff a stack of tapes and told "system is completely

toast - here


> are the tapes - restore the environment."  After 30 hrs the test was

aborted.


> They then did disk-to-disk backups, ran the same test and had the

environment


> completely restored and operational in 6-8 hours.  With a hourly cost of

> approximately $250K-300K/hr you can justify an additional $850K for a

fully


> loaded EVA5000 (240 * 146GB drives)and still save money.

>

> Now, how important do you think a fast recovery would be to those shops

whose


> downtime cost in excess of $1MM/hr.  That is why those guys use redundant

data


> centers using active-active clusters and have everything mirrored.

>

> -- 

> Michael Austin.

> Consultant - Available.

> Donations welcomed. http://www.firstdbasource.com/donations.html

> :)