Full DB Vs Snapshot DB Backup

[LarryB]

Hi all,

Just a quick question...
For a DR, which is the better to recover from Full or Snapshot? Or it does not matter!

regards

 

[cfhoffmann]

I wouldn't say either is "better" since both backups contain the same TSM "information". The choice would be based on the effect the two types of backups have on the recovery log. As the manual says:
"Although snapshot database backups cannot restore a database or a database volume to its most current state, you can use them to restore a database to a specific point-in-time."

 

[LarryB]

Also, when a DB backup is started, where is the point of consistency. At the beginning of the Backup or End of the Backup?

 

[Mita201]

For the question about full or Snapshot:
It is better to have full database backups onsite for database recovery purposes (in case of database corruption, admin or other human error...) and to use snapshot backups for DR purposes, taking them offsite.
With full backups you can do roll-forward, so have them onsite. You can also utilize incremental backups for having them onsite - faster, smaller.

 

[chad_small]

Typically with DR tests I recommend DBSnapshots since you can only do a PIT restore of the TSM DB. Also if you use DB backups for the DRM process you can create a DBSnapshot and not affect the DB rotation process. We would send our offsite tapes but preferred sending a DBSnapshot for the test just in case something went wrong and we needed a copy for ourselves.