Every database needs a backup plan
When archiving a database, one of the critical questions that must be answered is how to take a snapshot backup of the database without having users change the data in the process. If data changes in the midst of the backup, it results in an inconsistent backup and compromises the integrity of the archive. There are two strategic determinants for backing up a database system:
Offline backups
Live backups
Which you use depends on the dynamics of the system in question and the import of the data being stored. In this chapter, we will look at each in turn and the way to implement them.
Offline backups
Offline backups are done by shutting down the server so the records can be archived without the fear of them being changed by the user. It also helps to ensure the server shut down gracefully and that errors were avoided. The problem with using this method on most production systems is that it necessitates a temporary loss of access to the service. For most service...
