Database cloning
The database cloning process creates an exact copy of a database to provide near-production data.
IBM Spectrum Protect™ Snapshot uses the
FlashCopy® or snapshot function for database
cloning. Choose to clone a database to create one of the following scenarios:
- To create a test system before you introduce a new product release or new functions into a production environment.
- To create an education system from a master training system. You can reset the cloned database before you start a new course.
- To create a dedicated reporting system to offload the workload away from the production environment.
Traditionally, the database cloning process redirected a restore operation to create the clone. This method has disadvantages, including system downtime and degraded system performance. IBM Spectrum Protect Snapshot clones a database by using the storage system FlashCopy or snapshot capabilities to minimize the impact on the production database. A clone server or clone system is required by IBM Spectrum Protect Snapshot to mount a cloned database.
The following figure shows how IBM Spectrum
Protect Snapshot
creates and stores a cloned database on a clone server.
Figure 1. IBM Spectrum
Protect Snapshot and database
cloning