Test backups regularly to ensure they are valid and available when you need them. Be sure to test the backup before you need it to restore a database. Ideally, you should test the backup immediately after you perform it. Then, if there are problems with the backup, you can make another backup copy. If you wait until you need the backup to test it, the database will no longer be available.
The following table lists the PROREST utility parameters you can use to test backups performed with PROBKUP.
Table 19. PROREST utility verification parameters
Parameter
Description
-vp
Specifies that the restore utility read the backup volumes and compute and compare the backup block cyclic redundancy checks (CRCs) with those in the block headers. To recover any data from a bad block, you must have specified a redundancy factor when you performed the database backup. See CRC codes and redundancy in backup recovery for more information about error correction blocks and data recovery.You can use the Partial Verify parameter with both online and offline backups.
-vf
Specifies that the PROREST utility will compare the backup block-for-block to the database.
The Partial Verify and Full Verify parameters do not restore or alter the database.
If you use an operating system utility to back up the database, with each backup, verify that you have backed up the entire database. The PROBKUP utility automatically backs up the appropriate files; with an operating system utility, you must make sure the files are included in the backup.
