Using the Data Protection for SAP file manager

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The Data Protection for SAP file manager is a tool that simplifies the Data Protection for SAP inquire, restore, and delete operations.

Before you begin

Before using the file manager review the following details:
  • The file manager completes all operations by using the standard functions that are provided by Data Protection for SAP.
  • The interface consists of a split window that is character-based. In the left-hand window, all backup IDs found on all IBM Storage Protect™ servers that match the backup ID prefix that is configured in the Data Protection for SAP profile are displayed. In the right-hand window, all the files that belong to the selected backup ID are displayed. Individual backup IDs or multiple files can be selected.

About this task

Users with Oracle database restore and recovery experience should use BR*Tools for restore operations.

Procedure

  1. Start the file manager with the path and name of the Data Protection for SAP profile. The user must be a member of the dba group:

    (UNIX™ or Linux™): 

    backfm -p /oracle/SID/dbs/initSID.utl [-o log file directory]

    (Windows™): 

    backfm -p drive:\orant\database\initSID.utl [-o log file directory]
    If the -o parameter is specified at startup, the default directory for log files is changed.
  2. The file manager calls the backint executable file to connect to the IBM Storage Protect server configured in the Data Protection for SAP profile. If this call fails, the file manager shows an error message but does not analyze the cause of the error. Use the backint inquire function to analyze the error.
  3. An automatic inquire operation for all backup IDs is done by the file manager. The following figure displays a set of backup IDs located by an inquiry procedure. If you mark the backup ID you are interested in and then press the Tab key to move the cursor to the right panel, all file names belonging to the marked backup ID is displayed.
    Figure 1. File manager - Result of an inquiry procedure

    This screen capture shows the results of an inquire operation for all backup IDs.
    Figure 2. File manager - Result of an inquiry procedure showing file names

    This screen capture shows the file names that result from the inquire operation.

Results

The following function keys are defined for restore and delete operations:
Up, Down, Left, Right - Move cursor
Move the highlighted cursor in the direction indicated on the key.
Tab - Switch window side
Move the cursor between the left and right sides of the window.
F2 - Restore
Restore all marked files. Before the restore begins, you can specify a common destination path and you are prompted to confirm the restore process. If you specify a destination path, all marked files are restored to that directory. Otherwise, the files are restored to the directory from which they were backed up.
For restore operations, the wanted files first must be marked. This action can be done either with the F3 function key to mark all the files that were found or with the ENTER key to mark only one wanted file. Marked files can be identified by the symbol *in front of the file name. Only the marked files are restored. For every restore operation, a log file is created in the following location,
  • (UNIX or Linux): $SAPDATA_HOME/sapbackup/backfm_timestamp.log
  • (Windows): timestamp>.log
F3 - Mark all
All files that belong to the current backup ID is marked.
F4 - Unmark all
Unmark all files that belong to the current backup ID.
F5 - Refresh
Refresh the list of backup IDs and file names.
F6 - Fileinfo
Opens a separate window to display file information.

For backup IDs, the sequence number is displayed (backup version count). For files, the IBM Storage Protect expiration date and time are displayed.

F7 - Redirected Restore
Restores the selected files to a new location. A new directory structure is created. The new path names are derived from the original paths by replacing the original SID with the target SID. File names are not modified. Redirected restore makes cloning of SAP systems easier. To clone a database, you must restore the database files to a different directory structure. In the path names of the new directory structure, the Oracle SID is replaced by the new SID. The file names are left untouched by this function. You first must mark the files for restore. This requirement can be done either with the F3 function key to mark all files of a backup ID or with the ENTER key to mark only the highlighted file. Marked files can be identified by the symbol * in front of the file name. Press F7 to start the redirected restore.
Figure 3. File manager - Result of a redirected restore procedure

This screen capture shows the result of a redirected restore procedure.
F8 - Delete
Delete the selected backup ID and all corresponding files. The file manager can delete backup IDs with all included files. It is not possible to delete single files within a backup ID. To delete a backup ID, it must be highlighted. After you press F8, you must confirm the deletion operation. The backup ID and all included files are deleted from the IBM Storage Protect server.
F10 - Exit
Exit from Data Protection for SAP file manager
ENTER - Mark/unmark file
Mark or unmark the file below the cursor.