Backing up database information only

This feature enables you to back up and restore database information only.

As an alternative to Directory Server complete backup and restore mechanisms, there are two other methods that you can use to back up and restore only the Directory Server instance data that is stored in the DB2® database. These methods back up the DB2 data but not Directory Server-specific configurations such as the schema. One method also preserves DB2 configurations. The two methods are described in the following list:

• You can use the LDAP LDIF export and import commands, idsdb2ldif and idsldif2db, to export the data into an LDIF file and restore it from the LDIF file. See the section Importing LDIF data with the Configuration Tool in the Installing section of the IBM® Security Directory Suite documentation for information about using the Configuration Tool, or the Command Reference section of the IBM Security Directory Suite documentation for information about the commands. These commands do not preserve DB2 configurations. They work across all dissimilar hardware platforms, but they are relatively slow.
• You can use DB2 backup and restore commands to back up and restore the data. This method preserves the DB2 configurations and is fast. This method works across some dissimilar hardware and platforms, depending on whetherDB2 supports it. See Directory Server backup and restore for more information.

For best results, use either the basic or enhanced method described in Backing up to complete Directory Server instance information unless there are special circumstances you must address, such as backing up and restoring data across dissimilar hardware platforms.