Release 10.1A: OpenEdge Data Management:
Database Administration

Using PROBKUP

Using the OpenEdge Backup utility (PROBKUP) you can perform an online full backup, an online incremental backup, an offline full backup, or an offline incremental backup. Which you use is determined by your backup plan. The syntax below details the parameters to use with PROBKUP:

probkup [ online ] db-name [ incremental ] device-name      [-estimate      | -vs n      | -bf n      | -verbose

online

Performs an online backup.

db-name

Specifies the database you want to back up.

incremental

Performs an incremental backup. If you do not specify this parameter, PROBKUP performs a full backup. Perform a full backup of a database before performing the first incremental backup. Following the first incremental backup, you can perform any number of incremental backups. However, you should perform a full backup at least once a week.

device-name

Identifies a special device (for example, a tape drive) or a standard file. If device-name identifies a special device, PROKUP assumes the device has removable media, such as a tape or a floppy diskette. For Windows, use \\.\tape0 for the device name if you are backing up to a tape drive.

-estimate

Gives a rough estimate of the amount of media required for offline backups.

Note: PROBKUP does not perform a backup when the -estimate parameter is used.

-vs n

Indicates the volume size in database blocks that can be written to each removable volume. Before PROBKUP writes each volume, it displays a message that tells you to prepare the next volume. After writing each volume, a message tells you to remove the volume.

If you use the Volume Size parameter, the value must be greater than the value of the Blocking Factor (-bf) parameter. For example, do not specify a zero value with the Volume Size parameter. See the "Incremental backup example" section for an example of how to use the Volume Size parameter.

If you do not use the Volume Size parameter, PROBKUP assumes there is no limit and writes the backup until completion or until the volume is full. When the volume is full, PROBKUP prompts you for the next volume.

-bf n

Improves the transfer speed to tape-backup devices by specifying that the data is transferred in amounts optimal for the particular backup device. It indicates the blocking factor for blocking data output to the backup device. The blocking factor specifies how many blocks of data are buffered before being transferred to the backup device. Windows uses a variable block size up to 4K. For all other operating systems, each block is the size of one disk block (1K on UNIX). The default for the blocking factor parameter is 34.

-verbose

Directs the PROBKUP utility to display information during the backup. If you specify the Verbose parameter, PROBKUP displays “Backed up n blocks in hh:mm:ss” every 10 seconds. If you do not specify the Verbose parameter, the message appears only once when the backup is complete.

For more information on PROBKUP, see the "PROBKUP utility" section.