Backup archive directory

The IBM® Netezza® system maintains a backup archive directory that records the backup activity for each database.

For example, if you performed a full backup and then a differential backup on the database Orders, the directory structure would look as follows:

Netezza/NPSProduction/Orders/20061120120000/1/FULL
Netezza/NPSProduction/Orders/20061121120000/2/DIFF

Backup and restore both use this directory structure. Backup uses it to find backup sets with which to associate an incremental. Restore uses it to derive incremental restore sequences.

The backup process finds the most recent backup set for a database for incremental backup (unless you override the backup set). The restore process finds the most recent backup set for -db or -sourcedb, and current host or -npshost. You can override the most recent backup set by using the nzrestore command options -sourcedb, -npshost, or -backupset.

The most recent backup set for backup or restore is the most recently begun backup set, or the most recent full backup.

If you move the backup archives from one storage location to another, you must maintain the directory structure. If you want to be able to run an automated restore, all the backup increments must be accessible.