Backup for AyaNova network Firebird Server configuration

Never make a direct copy of the AyaNova database file with the Firebird Server services running.

Do not use external proprietary backup utilities or file-copying tools such as WinZip, tar, copy, xcopy, etc., to make a copy of the actual database file. Not only will the backup be unreliable, but the disk-level blocking used by these tools can corrupt a running database.

Only use the gbak utility as outlined in the snapshot batch file example it is the approved Firebird utility for making a snapshot of the Firebird database.

Below are the steps to backup the AyaNova network Firebird Server database. To avoid disappointment to read through all instructions first before proceeding.

4. Confirm that the snapshot creation file creates the Firebird Server database backup file

When you installed AyaNova onto your server selecting the network installation (which you would have selected to install the network Generator, etc), it installs a number of example config files and the example snapshot batch file to the folder C:\Program Files\Ground Zero Tech-Works Inc\AyaNova\examples. This snapshot batch file is to be edited so that it creates a "snapshot" of your AyaNova database, and it is this snapshot file that is actually backed up and restored from - never the AYANOVA.FDB database file itself.

1.	Make a copy of the networkFirebirdsnapshot.bat from the C:\Program Files\Ground Zero Tech-Works Inc\AyaNova\examples folder and place it in your C:\Program Files\Ground Zero Tech-Works Inc\AyaNova folder.

•	You should rename this copy with your company name prefixed so that you know it is the edited file - such as mycompanyname_networkFirebirdsnapshot

2.	Using NotePad, open your copy of the networkFirebirdsnapshot.bat file from the C:\Program Files\Ground Zero Tech-Works Inc\AyaNova for editing

3.	Replace the default SYSDBA password “masterkey” with the password you set in the configuration of the network Firebird server if applicable

4.	The example networkFirebirdsnapshot.bat file defaults to referring to the path of the database file as C:\Data\AyaNova\AYANOVA.FDB

a.	If this is NOT where your networked AyaNova database file is – then you need to edit the path of where it actually is throughout this batch file

b.	Refer to your aliases.conf file (from the Firebird folder) for the location of your networked Firebird Server AYANOVA.FDB database file

5.	The networkFirebirdsnapshot.bat file defaults to referring to the path where the snapshot files will be created as C:\Data\AyaNova\backups

a.	If this is NOT where you want the snapshot files created at – then you need to edit the path of each line that refers to C:\Data\AyaNova\backups to the actual path where you want these files created

b.	It is recommended that the snapshot files be created to a separate folder than the live AyaNova database file so no confusion for the backup process – no accidental backup of the actual live database file.

6.	The networkFirebirdsnapshot.bat file defaults to referring to the Firebird bin files in C:\Program Files\Firebird\Firebird_2_1\bin

a.	If this is NOT the folder where your Firebird bin files are – then you need to edit the path of each line that refers to C:\Program Files\Firebird\Firebird_2_1\bin to the actual path where your Firebird bin files are

The first time the snapshot batch file is run, it creates a snapshot file AYANOVA.FBK

The second time it is run, it renames the first to AYANOVA02.FBK and creates a new snapshot file AYANOVA.FBK

The third time it is run, it renames AYANOVA02.FBK to AYANOVA03.FBK, renames the AYANOVA.FBK to AYANOVA02.FBK, and creates a new snapshot file AYANOVA.FBK and so on

Once 10 snapshots have been created, it will delete the oldest snapshot, shuffle renaming the existing and create a new snapshot, and so on.

There is no need to have users out of the AyaNova database to create this snapshot. The provided batch file (once edited with your information) takes a snapshot of the state of the database at the moment it starts, so users can continue working while a backup runs, allowing 24x7 operation.

NOTE: Only this utility can be used to create a snapshot of the live AyaNova database. And it’s the snapshot file that is to be backed up – never the actual live database file.

2.	Move to AyaNova program directory where the snapshot batch file is located - for example:

5.	If a message occurs stating an issue and the snapshot does not run, check your editing of your snapshot file as you may have incorrectly entered the location of the database, or incorrectly missed putting quotation marks around paths. Then repeat the above steps until snapshot is successful

7.	Open Windows Explorer and move to the location where you specified the snapshots to be created

8.	Confirm that the snapshot file AYANOVA.FBK was created.

1.	Once you have confirmed that the edited batch file successfully creates a snapshot of the AyaNova database file, open Control Panel and open Scheduled Tasks

4.	Browse to the location of the networkFirebirdsnapshot.bat file and select it

6.	Select a time of day prior to your backup process; select Next

7.	Enter the username and password for the administrator of this computer; select Next

4. Confirm that the snapshot creation file creates the Firebird Server database backup file

As with any backup, it is recommended that you confirm on a regular basis that the snapshots are actually being created

5. Backup the snapshot file to your backup device (i.e. FTP, CD, REV, backup tape, etc)

As with any backup, it is recommended that you confirm on a regular basis that your backup process is backing up the snapshots