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During data or log backups, the data or log entries are saved to a data carrier, such as a tape or a file in the file system.

Data carrier types

Type

Suitable for the Following Backup Types

Comments

FILE

  • Data backups

  • Log backups

  • Automatic log backups

Do not create backups on data carriers of the FILE type that are located on the same hard disk as the volumes of the database. Always back up to a separate hard disk.

If your data carriers are located on the same computer as the database, regularly copy the backups to other computers or data carriers using operating system commands.

TAPE

  • Data backups

You can use autoloaders.

Do not use tapes more often than is recommended by the manufacturer.

Unix:

  • Make sure you address the correct device driver.

  • Use a rewind tape.

PIPE

  • Data backups

  • Manual log backups

    Note that automatic log backups to pipes are not possible.

On Microsoft Windows, the pipes are created by the database kernel.

On Unix, the pipes are not created by the database kernel:

  • For backups without third-party backup tools, you must create the pipe explicitly before you start the backup.

  • For backups using third-party backup tools that are not directly supported by SAP MaxDB, you must create the pipe explicitly before you start the backup.

  • For backups using third-party backup tools that are directly supported by SAP MaxDB, the pipe is created by the database system during the backup. The pipe must not exist beforehand.

Before you carry out a log backup to a pipe without a third-party backup tool or with a third-party backup tool not directly supported by SAP MaxDB, first set the value of the special database parameter EnableLogBackupToPipe to YES. This ensures that the system can overwrite the log entries in the log area that have already been written to the pipe. Note that the system does not check whether the log backup to the pipe was successful. More information: Database Administration, Special Database Parameters

More Information

Database Administration, Backup Templates and Data Carriers

Database Administration in CCMS, Backup Templates