How to set up, maintain, and bring online a standby server (Enterprise Manager)

Setting up a standby server generally involves creating database backup and periodic transaction log backups at the primary server, and then applying those backups, in sequence, to the standby server. The standby server is left in a read-only state between restores. When the standby server needs to be made available for use, any outstanding transaction log backups, including the backup of the active transaction log, from the primary server are applied to the standby server and the database is recovered.

To create backups on the primary server

To set up and maintain a backup (standby) server

1. Expand a server group; then expand a server.
2. Expand Databases, right-click the database, point to All Tasks, and then click Restore Database....
3. In Restore as database, enter or select the name of the database to restore if different from the default displayed. To restore the database with a new name, enter the new name of the database.
4. On the General tab, select From device.
5. Select Select devices....
6. Click Add... to specify each backup device containing the backup from which you need to restore. The backup device needs to reference the backup device files created at the primary server.

   In the Choose Restore Destination dialog box, specify either the name of the file or the backup device containing the backup.

7. In the Restore Database dialog box, click View contents.... Select the backup set to restore.

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   Note This option scans the backup set for the backup content information and can be time consuming, especially when using tape devices. If you already know the backup set to restore, enter the backup set number in Backup number instead.

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8. Under Restore backup set, select:
   • Database - complete to restore the initial database backup created on the primary server. The initial database backup must be restored before any transaction log backups can be applied.
   • Transaction log to apply a transaction log backup created on the primary server.
9. On the Options tab, select Leave database read-only and able to restore additional transaction logs. Specify the name of the undo file that contains the contents of data pages before uncommitted transactions affecting those pages were rolled back.
10. Repeat this procedure for each transaction log backup applied to the standby server.

To bring the standby server online (primary server failed)

1. Back up the active transaction log on the primary server if possible. For more information, see How to create a backup of the currently active transaction log.
2. Apply all transaction log backups, including the active transaction log backup created in Step 1, that have not yet been applied to the standby server. For more information, see How to apply a transaction log backup.
3. Recover the database. For more information, see How to recover a database without restoring.

See Also