In this task you will perform the first phase of your daily backup procedures, which is to use the Backup Manager to schedule backups for your registered databases and system database.
The Backup Manager is accessed from the server
The Backup Manager is accessed from the server by clicking Windows Start – DBA Manufacturing – Utilities – Backup Manager.
Backup Phase 1 - Schedule daily database backups
The first phase of your daily backup process is to schedule daily database backup file creation for all of your registered databases. The second phase will be handled in the next task.
The Firebird database requires special backup files
Unlike standard data files, DBA’s Firebird database is not designed for directly backing up and restoring using Windows copy and paste functions. Instead, phase one of database backup is to create a special *.fbk file that deconstructs the data into a backup file format that enables proper and optimal restoration. Phase two of daily database backup is to use a standard backup program or service to back up the *.fbk file to an off-site location.
Create a backup schedule for each of your databases
Use the Backup Manager - Schedule Backup process to create a daily backup schedule for each of the following registered databases.
•Create a daily backup schedule for your Main Company database, which is identified by the registered company name.
•Create a daily backup schedule for your System Database, which stores various system settings.
•Create a daily backup schedule for any secondary companies, which are identified by the registered company name.
Schedule backups to occur off hours
Schedule database backup file creation to occur off hours when the system is not in full use. It is ok to assign the same start time to multiple databases.
Schedule all seven days of the week
Schedule each database backup for all seven days of the week. Even if your plant is closed on the weekend, your DBA system is capable of being can be accessed remotely
Database backup files are stored in the DBABackup folder
Each scheduled backup creates an *.fbk database backup file that can be used to restore your data if ever needed. Database backup files are stored in the DBABackup folder in this location:
(drive letter)\ProgramData\DBABackup
NOTE1: If the ProgramData folder is not visible, use Windows Help to determine how to show hidden files, folders, and drives on your particular version of Windows.
Database backup is only the first phase of daily backup
The process described here, which is to schedule backup file creation for each of your registered database, is only the first phase of your daily backup process. It is vitally important that you also perform the second phase, which is to schedule a daily server backup. The daily server backup will include the DBABackup folder so that your database backup files get safely backed up to an off-site location.
