We do the same thing. The DBAs dump in a native DB format and in some cases tar or zip the dump. Then use a TSM client to back it up.
Thomas, There is one other thing to consider when attempting to keep hardware around for 25 years. Will there be someone in the organization with the know how to bring it back up and get the DB installed ? In my experience, that is usually the hardest part. Do you have a PA-RISC system available to perform a native Oracle dump then try to load that native dump on an Itanium server ? Might be worth a try. The other process that you could try is leasing a PA-RISC system restoring each DB and migrating to Itanium and then backing it up again. Yes, it is very time consuming, but if the data is required... you may not have any other option. -----Original Message----- From: ADSM: Dist Stor Manager [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Huebner,Andy,FORT WORTH,IT Sent: Tuesday, July 27, 2010 3:59 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: PA-RISC system shelf life We make the DBA's dump the data to a format readable by other versions and other software, then archive it to TSM. Also read about Tin Whiskers. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whisker_(metallurgy) We have a 20+ year old Digital server. Replacement hard drives are very hard to find and not cheap. The last one that failed took over a month to locate a replacement. Andy Huebner -----Original Message----- From: ADSM: Dist Stor Manager [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of Thomas Denier Sent: Tuesday, July 27, 2010 2:41 PM To: [email protected] Subject: [ADSM-L] PA-RISC system shelf life I have a strange data retention question somewhat related to TSM. We have an Oracle application running under HP-UX and using TSM for Databases (or whatever the API-based add on is called this week) to provide backup coverage. Over its history the application has migrated from PA-RISC systems to Itanium systems. The application is now subject to regulatory requirements not considered in the original design. The currently favored approach to cobbling up a solution for the requirements involves retaining the TSM API backups for up to 25 years. Recent tests seem to indicate that an Oracle backup from a PA-RISC system cannot be successfully restored to an Itanium system. The restore process reports successful completion, but the Oracle software will not open the restored database. This raises the possibility that we will be asked to keep a PA-RISC system on hand for the next 25 years. I gather from what I have read about computer component service life that a system kept in active service for 25 years would need at least one set of replacement power supplies, several sets of replacement internal disks, and an appalling number of service calls to replace logic circuitry. Would a PA-RISC system last 25 years if it were kept powered down and stored in a controlled climate for most of that time? This e-mail (including any attachments) is confidential and may be legally privileged. If you are not an intended recipient or an authorized representative of an intended recipient, you are prohibited from using, copying or distributing the information in this e-mail or its attachments. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail and delete all copies of this message and any attachments. Thank you.
