How to Back Up Databases

Use the BACKUP command to back up your IQ database.

Backup includes both the Sybase IQ data (the IQ store) and the underlying SQL Anywhere database (the catalog store).

Backup runs concurrently with read and write operations in the database. By contrast, during a restore no other operations are allowed on that database.

You must be connected to a database to back it up. The BACKUP command has no way to specify another database.

For information about backing up multiplex databases, see Using Sybase IQ Multiplex > Backup and Restore Operations in Multiplex Environments.

• Types of Data Stores
  Sybase IQ data stores consist of one or more files.
• Types of Backups
  There are four ways to back up Sybase IQ data.
• Select Archive Devices
  You can back up any IQ database onto magnetic tape or disk, including WORM devices.
• Preparing for Backup
  In order to run BACKUP, you must meet the requirements described in the sections that follow.
• Running Backups
  Use the BACKUP statement to run backups.
• Specify Operator Presence
  ATTENDED ON or OFF controls whether or not human intervention is expected when new tapes or disk files are needed.
• Specify the Type of Backup
  FULL | INCREMENTAL | INCREMENTAL SINCE FULL specifies the type of backup.
• Specifying Virtual Backup
  The VIRTUAL DECOUPLED | VIRTUAL ENCAPSUATED 'shell-command' options specify the type of virtual backup.
• Specifying Archive Devices
  The TO archive_device clause indicates the destination disk file(s) or system tape drive(s) for the backup and controls the number of archive devices.
• Other Backup Options
  You may want to set a number of other BACKUP command options to customize your backup.
• Wait for Tape Devices
  During backup and restore operations, if Sybase IQ cannot open the archive device (for example, when it needs the media loaded), the server waits for ten seconds and tries again.
• Backup and Restore Using Read-Only Hardware
  Sybase IQ supports read-only hardware for both backup and restore operations.
• Backup Examples
  Example topics demonstrate backup options.
• Recovery from Errors During Backup
  There are two likely reasons for a failed backup: insufficient space, or hardware failure.
• After you Complete a Backup
  In the event that you ever need to move a database or one of its dbspaces, you need to know the name of every dbspace in the database when the backup was made.
• Performing Backups with Non-Sybase Products
  Sybase IQ supports backup and restore using a number of third-party products. The package you use must conform to the Adaptive Server Enterprise Backup Interface. Check the documentation for your product to be sure that it supports Sybase databases.