Database Copy 

Purpose

You can use a database copy to test new applications, to check the database structures without affecting operation or to set up a new standby database, for example. You also need a database copy to create a system copy of an SAP system.

To create a copy of a database, use a complete data backup.

Original Instance and Copy

Prerequisites

●     Original and target computers are compatible, see Compatible Processor Architectures for Database Copies

To execute a database copy on a non-compatible processor architecture, use the Loader database tool.

●     The target instance uses the same version of the database software as the original instance.

You can, however, use a copy of a source instance of an older version as a target instance of a more recent version, as long as the versions only differ by the build number.

Version of the source instance: 7.6.00.09

Version of the target instance:   7.6.00.12

●     The database parameters of the target instance were defined with the same values as those of the original instance, but each instance has its own working directory.

Process Flow

You use the Database Manager database tool.

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       1.      Make a complete data backup of the original instance.

       2.      Either create a new target instance, or Initialize an existing database instance. Define the same values for the database parameters in the target instance as in the original instance (exception: working directory of the database instance). Then define a backup template for a data backup that refers to the data carrier on which you backed up the original instance.

       3.      Then transfer the complete data backup to the target instance, transfer it to the ONLINE operating state, and finally load the system tables. Any existing database user data in the target instance is overwritten with the database user data of the source instance.

See also:

Replication and High Availability

Database Administration Tutorial, Creating a Database Copy