DIRT and what does it do with the MS-SQL Database

[dolah]

I'm trying to create the procedure for the Bare Metal Restore for our Telco servers. And I'm wondering if DIRT backs-up the MS-SQL databases.

We have 4.0(4) SR1 and use DIRT 1.0 Build 122

Thanks

Debbie

[lindborg]

DiRT backs up the entire UnityDB database and, optionally, the ReportDb database.

[dolah]

Will it also create the DB when performing the repair? Or does it just re-populate the data in an created database?

[lindborg · Accepted solution]

DiRT restore requires that Unity (same version backed up) is up and running before it'll do a restore - as such the UnityDB and ReportDb databases must be present - the restore pulls some data out of the local DBs first before replacing them with the backed up tables (things like local server name, which GC/DCs we're connected to, switch configuration etc...). So no, it wont create it on the fly because the restore can't work without a running Unity server first. This is not just a backup and restore but also a migration type tool.

[dolah]

Thanks, that confirms the information that I found yesterday as well. As a back up and restoration tool, it works, but the process to restore is quite lengthy -- it is a complete rebuild of the server, from OS (plus patches) to Application. I'm guessing that is why Cisco recommends Veritas as the preferred back up tool.

Thanks again.