Virtual Backups

A virtual backup, sometimes called a NULL backup, backs up all of an IQ database except the IQ store table data.

You must make a separate operating system-level copy of the corresponding IQ store. To restore from a virtual backup, you must first restore the corresponding system-level copy of the IQ store and then proceed with the IQ full restore of the virtual backup.

A virtual backup does not back up data or metadata from tables other than those mentioned above.

To make a virtual backup, specify either the VIRTUAL DECOUPLED or VIRTUAL ENCAPSULATED parameter in the BACKUP command when performing a full IQ Backup. The VIRTUAL parameters prevent IQ from copying table data and metadata in the IQ store to the backup file.

• Types of Virtual Backups
  There are two types of virtual backup.
• Virtual Backup with SAN Snapshot or Shadow Hardware
  Storage Area Network (SAN) snapshot or shadow hardware provides more flexibility in the backup process by allowing the system-level backup to take place on the shadow copy rather than on the main database.