ArcGIS Help 10.1 - Database backup and recovery

A database backup is a copy of the database. This copy is used to recover the database or individual datasets in the case of database failure or corruption.

Since much time, effort, and money are usually invested in an organization's data, it is critical that you have a tested recovery plan in place for your geodatabase. A recovery plan includes database backups and a tested recovery strategy.

Backup and recovery strategy needs vary in accordance with your specific situation. The type of backups you use, where the backups should be stored, when the backups should be performed, and when and how restoration can be done can be affected by the following interrelated factors:

How often does the data change?
The more frequently the geodatabase and its contents are edited, the more frequently backups should be performed.
How important is the data to the organization?
Is the data mission critical? If so, recovery time and currency of the recovered data are important. Is retention of the data of legal importance? If so, you should consider storing backups off-site.
How much time is acceptable for recovery?
Certain data might be needed right away, whereas the need for other data isn't as pressing. If there isn't much data in the database, compare how much time it would take to perform a database recovery versus manually reentering data.
How much downtime can be tolerated?
This affects whether or not you can take the database offline to perform backups or recover the data. If the data must be available 24 hours a day, be sure to schedule backups to occur during off-peak hours.
How big is the database?
This affects storage space and location as well as the amount of time it takes to back up and recover the database.
What are the system resources with which you have to work?
Is there ample storage space—both virtual and physical—for backups? Could you possibly set up a mirror or copy of your database? Is the network able to handle a backup or restore procedure taking place while users are still connected to the database? Would it make sense to have off-site consultants provide your database backup, storage, and recovery management?
What type of database management system (DBMS) are you using?
Most DBMSs have their own administrative utility to perform backup and recovery management, but there are also many third-party software products available.

See the following topics for information on creating backups and restoring databases for each DBMS:

4/2/2015