Navision backups - 145Gb database

beetlestone

A technical question now regarding performance and Navision Client Backups.
I have a 145Gb database on the server. There is no free space on any disk that will allow me to store a Navision backup. Therefore, the backup files - totalling 40Gb - need to be stored on a different machine. I need advice on the most efficient way to carry out this task.

1. Log in to the database using a client on the DESTINATION computer, and then carry out the backup.
2. Log in to the databse from a client on the SERVER and set the destination of the backup files to be the other machine.
3. Use HOTCOPY to create a working copy on the DESTINATION computer, and then carry out the Navision Backup from a Client on the DESTINATION computer.

Which would allow for the backup to finish in the fastest possible time.
I know a hotcopy database works, but for my own piece of mind, I would like to be able to use FBK's. 40Gb unzipped, is easier to move about than 145GB.

Thanks.

kriki

How about HOTCOPY + zipping? 8)
This is the fastest in case you have to restore a DB from the backup. (Restoring a backup is fast, but then Navision has to recreate the indexes....)


Otherwise I think no. 2 is the fastest. But you can always test the different possibilities to be sure.

beetlestone

HOTCOPY is the fastest, but I feel safe knowing that an FBK has been created, and can also be restored.
As for the keys, I have created an object set with all secondary keys disabled. Then, after restoring the database, we can import the correct master objects and wait for the secondary keys to be created. This gives us a bit more control, and it also allows us to withold certain secondary keys until a request, or error, is made known to us.

Thanks for the comment on creating the fbk's too.

kine

Of course you can use Compress on the folder, where you will store the backup. it will help you, because the Navision DB and Navision backup can be compressed to 10% of original size.

kriki

kine wrote:

Of course you can use Compress on the folder, where you will store the backup. it will help you, because the Navision DB and Navision backup can be compressed to 10% of original size.

Yes, but not by compressing the folder. The compressing of Windows is not so strong. Winzip is a lot better and 7-zip is even better (and free).

fruz

Yes, but not by compressing the folder. The compressing of Windows is not so strong. Winzip is a lot better and 7-zip is even better (and free).

<noflame>But zip/7z can not be used at runtime. I have many databases in compressed folders (its free too). For backup's it's sure better to use zip/7z.</noflame>

Is it a SQL Server database? There are nice and fast utilities for SQL Server backup ...

kriki

fruz wrote:

Is it a SQL Server database? There are nice and fast utilities for SQL Server backup ...

True, but they are bigger and Navision-integrity is no tested.