BRTools Backup

[bharathyp]

Hi,

Currently I am backing up my AIX Oracle DB 11g for system refresh.

These are the steps that I have done so far,

*Few notations that I use are SSID (SourceSID) TSID (TargetSID)

I also taking backup to a shared drive, connected to AIX as CIFS connection.

     in the CIFS connection this is the pattern that I followed.

          shared_drive/Backup        ---> for backup_root_dir & stage_root_dir

          shared_drive/Redologs      ---> for archive_copy_dir & archive_stage_dir

The following steps I am doing in the Source system (which I am taking the backup from)

1) create control file (alter database backup controlfile to TRACE as '/tmp/SSID.ctrl' ; )

2) copy out control file to pc

3) rename system name to TSID , change the line:

CREATE CONTROLFILE REUSE DATABASE ‘SSID’ NORESETLOGS ARCHIVELOG;

as follow

CREATE CONTROLFILE REUSE SET DATABASE ‘TSID’ RESETLOGS ARCHIVELOG;

4) backup and replace initSID.sap in source system to use share drive as backup by changing following parameters:

backup_type = offline

backup_dev_type = disk

backup_root_dir = Create Backup Folder and provide their path like   "shared_drive/Backup"

stage_root_dir = Copy Same Path which you have given to back_root_dir

archive_copy_dir = Create Redologs Folder & Provide their path like  "shared_drive/Redologs"

archive_stage_dir = Copy Same Path which you have given to archive_copy_dir

5) use brtools to backup source database

6) backup and replace initSID.sap in target system to use share drive as restore by changing folllowing parameters:

backup_type = offline

backup_dev_type = disk

backup_root_dir = Create Backup Folder and provide their path like   "shared_drive/Backup"

stage_root_dir = Copy Same Path which you have given to back_root_dir

archive_copy_dir = Create Redologs Folder & Provide their path like  "shared_drive/Redologs"

archive_stage_dir = Copy Same Path which you have given to archive_copy_dir

So in the above steps a few questions,

In step 3 should I change the whole document from SSID to TSID? I mean to say all the files that are pointing to SSID should be changed to TSID or BRTools will take care of that?

Also the backup is going to take 3days?? So does the same steps apply if I am going to do for online backup?

[bharathyp]

I have completed this sucessfully. If anybody looking for a solution let me know.. I can provide u with it.

[bharathyp]

After even trying to start an online backup archive log was growing at exponential rate and we donot have that much storage. But I end up reclaiming some space from other LUN and backed up to the LUN itself. The backup is successful now and on my way to restore.

[former_member182657]

Hi Jack,

From the logs provided

Checking SAP license failed at location BrLicCheck-12

Here i would suggest you to first recheck for valid SAP license and refer SAP Note 912969 and again to follow the process.

If any issues occurs share the log files.

Regards,

Gaurav

[bharathyp]

I  think that is not even the issue.

[former_member182657]

Hi Jack,

Please share the complete backup log and also share alert_<SID>.log file with SM21 system logs for analysis.

Regards,

Gaurav

[bharathyp]

Hi Gaurav,

The system was down as it is a offline backup so there are no logs present at that time (during the backup period).

alert_sid.log is quite huge over 17mb but i noticed that it doesn't contain anything useful.

here is the complete backup log (attached)

Dropbox - beonjbzj.log

[bharathyp]

In this after analyzing further noticed that it is having this problem

over there it is suggested to use dd as my disk type.. so even though as I mentioned that I am using the App server and then an external USB and using CIFS connection in AIX to do the backup I can STILL change it to dd?

[Reagan]

BR0278E Command output of 'LANG=C cp /oracle/6DE/sapdata3/sr3700_5/sr3700.data5 /sapmnt_systemrefresh/Backup/beonjbzj/sr3700.data5':
cp: /sapmnt_systemrefresh/Backup/beonjbzj/sr3700.data5: Value too large to be stored in data type

This is what I see in your log.

Instead of cp command use the dd option and trigger the backup.

Refer this SAP note

20577 - Cpio cannot backup files larger than or equal to 2 GB

Regards

RB

[divyanshu_srivastava3]

Hi Jack,

CPIO has a upper limit of 2gb on AIX platform.

These restrictions are imposed by standard used by AIX OS.

Br*tools uses standard native OS command for backup from volumes.

You can refer IBM Knowledge Center for more.

Also inplace of cpio you should usr dd and start a fresh backup.

Regards,

Divyanshu

[bharathyp]

Hi Regan,

So if I do this I shld manage to resolve this?I can't start this now as the system has to be online for the weekday. I am thinking of claiming additional space and backing it up there itself rather than other storage.

[Reagan]

You can trigger an online backup with that option and see if that helps.

[bharathyp]

Hi Guys,

since it was the weekend I got the backup started and running.

But it failed at 40% with this

0005 Error during processing

Some text from the .afd file

BR0280I BRBACKUP time stamp: 2014-08-16 09.20.57

BR0063I 54 of 106 files processed - 122033.682 of 327774.088 MB done

BR0204I Percentage done: 37.23%, estimated end time: 2014-08-17 08:30

BR0001I *******************_______________________________

BR0202I Saving /oracle/ED6/sapdata4/sr3_47/sr3.data47

BR0203I to /sapmnt_systemrefresh/Backup/beonjbzj/sr3.data47 ...

#FILE..... /oracle/ED6/sapdata1/sr3_9/sr3.data9

#SAVED.... /sapmnt_systemrefresh/Backup/beonjbzj/sr3.data9  #5/11

BR0280I BRBACKUP time stamp: 2014-08-16 09.40.36

BR0063I 55 of 106 files processed - 125733.689 of 327774.088 MB done

BR0204I Percentage done: 38.36%, estimated end time: 2014-08-17 08:16

BR0001I *******************_______________________________

#FILE..... /oracle/ED6/sapdata4/sr3_47/sr3.data47

#SAVED.... /sapmnt_systemrefresh/Backup/beonjbzj/sr3.data47  #7/16

BR0280I BRBACKUP time stamp: 2014-08-16 09.43.04

BR0063I 56 of 106 files processed - 128373.697 of 327774.088 MB done

BR0204I Percentage done: 39.17%, estimated end time: 2014-08-17 07:37

BR0001I ********************______________________________

BR0280I BRBACKUP time stamp: 2014-08-16 09.43.06

BR0304I Starting and opening database instance ED6 ...

BR0280I BRBACKUP time stamp: 2014-08-16 09.43.19

BR0305I Start and open of database instance ED6 successful

BR0280I BRBACKUP time stamp: 2014-08-16 09.43.21

BR0307I Shutting down database instance ED6 ...

BR0280I BRBACKUP time stamp: 2014-08-16 09.43.27

BR0308I Shutdown of database instance ED6 successful

BR0056I End of database backup: beonjbzj.afd 2014-08-16 09.43.04

BR0280I BRBACKUP time stamp: 2014-08-16 09.43.27

BR0054I BRBACKUP terminated with errors

Where do I go and see what exactly is the error?

[divyanshu_srivastava3]

Hi jack,

Goto sapbackup directory and check for  b<timestamp>.afd and alert logs.

[bharathyp]

Hi,

There is only this file.

beonj.afd

WHere are the other files located. From this file I am not able to see anything.

Where are these alertlogs that you are reffering to?

[yrk_tkm]

Hi,

A couple of years ago I had a db of 500GB, whose backup lasted 1,5 hrs with compression. So it's not normal.

What are the CPU & RAM specs of your machine? Maybe it's a CIFS issue?

Also you may try online backup first.

[former_member182657]

HI Jack,

I mean to say all the files that are pointing to SSID should be changed to TSID or BRTools will take care of that?

You need to change all the files pointing to SSID to TSID under the control file which you created for your target system from the source .If using Linux than use command

:%SSID/TSID/g  . This will change SSID with TSID.

Regards,

Gaurav

[bharathyp]

Tks for that.

I do understand that usually backup time depends on various factors like server speed , backup storage speed and DB Size. But it is going to take like 3 days!! is that ok? or can I do something to speed up the process?

[former_member182657]

Hi Jack,

Backup completely depends on the size,network bandwidth,Hardware using and on the storage device configurations/specifications.

But it is going to take like 3 days!! is that ok?

Could you please share the size of database and the percentage of backup done .If possible also share backup logs (performing online or offline).

Regards,

Gaurav

[bharathyp]

Size is 300gb (exactly).

I was looking at the earlier backup log and it did not take that long, it took like half a day(12-hrs).

But I guess the br-tools is giving wrong estimation. Currently the backup is not running though, as I was doing offline backup and have to get the SSID up and running for users to use. So was wondering if I can run the backup tonight ad it can finish it by 2mrw morning before users come to office.

[former_member182657]

Hi Jack,

Size is 300gb (exactly).

If resources at your end are with good configurations,than to take backup of data size 300 GB than it would not take more than 2-3 hrs.So here i suggest you to look for the resources to complete the process as fast as possible.

Also if your query get answered,kindly close the thread.

Regards,

Gaurav

[bharathyp]

Hi Gaurav,

Yes would close this thread once I am done with the system refresh as I might have a few questions along the way, i am planning to start the backup today.

So as I was saying is it possible for BRTools to give wrong estimation?

[former_member182657]

Hi Jack,

Please share the brtools release or kernel version at your end.If possible try to patch the older one with latest available.

Regards,

Gaurav

[bharathyp]

Well I have

BR*Tools 7.20 patch 23

[former_member182657]

Hi Jack,

Kindly check for latest patch available at SMP and update the same and recheck the size.

Regards,

Gaurav

[divyanshu_srivastava3]

Yes, you can do.

There is a parameter for parallel process which you can add to initsid.sap profile.

The value depends on the number of CPU cores and other system resources.

exec_parallel

Refer: https://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw04/helpdata/en/0d/d30a024a0c11d182b80000e829fbfe/content.htm

Also, you can use compression with "compress = no|yes|hardware|only|brtools"

Divyanshu

[bharathyp]

yes! I think you might be on to something.. parallel processing might be the answer, but I always tot that parallel processing is for only if SAP related process. Where as BRTools is happening on AIX OS, do correct me if I am wrong. TKs

[divyanshu_srivastava3]

Hi Jack,

These are BR/backup processes which depends on the number of drives that can be used for taking backup.

The parallel process who are thing are for client copy, but those are parallel RFC processes.

Refer this link again:

https://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw04/helpdata/en/0d/d30a024a0c11d182b80000e829fbfe/content.htm

Divyanshu

[divyanshu_srivastava3]

Also, you have these note:

842240 - FAQ: Backup strategy of large and highly-available databases

1317033 - Restrictions in the use of BR*Tools options/parameter

1235952 - Minor functional enhancements in BR*Tools (2)

23234 - Backup of large databases with BRBACKUP

Divyanshu

[divyanshu_srivastava3]

I think you have got the answers.

You can mark and close this thread.

Regards,

Divyanshu

[Reagan]

You can check the .utl file for the MAX SESSIONS parameters for the restore.

I believe this is the one for having multiple sessions for the restore.

[bharathyp]

I am checking this link.

And it doesn't mention anywhere regarding parallel options.

What should I put in the DBSID.sap file?

Even in the note:

1317033 - Restrictions in the use of BR*Tools options/parameter

Partially supported options/parameter:

* -e|-execute / exec_parallel - applies only for the verification phase after the restore

Nothing regarding for backup

[divyanshu_srivastava3]

Hi Jack,

Have a look at this page:

https://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw70ehp1/helpdata/en/31/72d2442fbc0b4294fee03d2babd5d3/content.htm

and https://help.sap.com/saphelp_nw70ehp1/helpdata/en/34/5a2d7db3d0304e8a1bc555b3e5fe63/content.htm?fram...

As far as I think, it does this job.

Hope this will help.

Divyanshu

[bharathyp]

All these are talking about if I have multiple devices, but I am only  backing up to one device.. as I have only one.

EDIT:

I think I get it, let me give it a try tonight.

[divyanshu_srivastava3]

Try compression

[bharathyp]

OK, I started with parallel process 8 and all it does different from the previous time was create 8 files rather than one, but the time is still taking 3days.. so i estimated for 6hrs - 7hrs or so it managed to complete about 75GB, and surprsingly that is only 15% out of my total 300GB!

Will try again this weekend as the system have to be up.

[Former Member]

Can you provide vmstat output during backup operation? What is the reason to use CIFS connection? Where you plan to refresh system? What is the backup performance when to back up on local disk? What kind of disk subsystem you use to store the data files?

[bharathyp]

Since this is a dev system, I am backing the DB to external HDD.

This is a distributed setup, DB on AIX and APP on WS2003 so the external HDD connected to APP server and created a CIFS connection.

The system that I will be restoring is actually on AIX as well in the same HMC i mean in the same network, so later I will be connecting the ext HDD to the APP server of the target system and also create a CIFS connection and restore.

How and where to can I get the vmstat output?

[divyanshu_srivastava3]

How to edit control file:

1. Replaced SSID with TSID

2. Delete all the lines from top to the line before STARTUP NOMOUNT

3. CREATE CONTROLFILE REUSE SET DATABASE ‘TSID’ RESETLOGS ARCHIVELOG

4. Delete the line RECOVER DATABASE USING BACKUP CONTROLFILE

5. Replace No Resetlog to Resetlog

6. Replace REUSE with SET

[divyanshu_srivastava3]

These are general steps. However, there are more ways to edit add make changes depends of your strategy.