Protect against data loss and corruption

As with any resource that contains a large amount of valuable information that would be difficult to re-create, it is essential to store adequate backups and employ the necessary maintenance activities to keep the database operating smoothly. The tools available for database maintenance and backups will vary depending on the type of database.

Enterprise Databases (SQL Server or Oracle)

When you choose to store analysis information in an enterprise database, a database administrator must perform backups and database maintenance activities using the data management tools that are packaged with and/or designed for the database platform (e.g., SQL Server Enterprise Manager for SQL Server). Each individual organization typically establishes its own procedures for protecting the data stored in the Oracle or SQL Server databases. As a convenience for users who wish to explore the possibilities of an enterprise database implementation without making a large investment of time and resources, instructions on how to perform ReliaSoft’s minimum database maintenance recommendations are posted on the ReliaSoft website:

• See http://www.reliasoft.com//content/hbkworld/global/en/migration/reliasoft/en/using-sql-enterprise-databases.html for SQL Server.
• See http://www.reliasoft.com//content/hbkworld/global/en/migration/reliasoft/en/using-oracle-enterprise-databases.html for Oracle.

Standard Databases or Synthesis Files

When you choose to store analysis information in a standard database or Synthesis file (available only in Versions 10, 11 and 2018), you can use tools that are built in to the ReliaSoft applications to back up and compact/repair the database when needed. It is important to note that each standard database will be subject to the same limitations and vulnerabilities as any other file that uses the Microsoft Access database file format. Therefore, we recommend that you:

1. Create backups regularly.
2. Compact and repair regularly.
3. Do not store the database in a shared network location if you suspect that your network connection and/or hardware may be unreliable.
4. Do not allow the file size of the database to grow too large.

For more details and specific instructions for using the standard database maintenance tools that are built in to ReliaSoft applications, open any of the application help files and navigate to Databases and Projects > Managing and Restoring Data > Backups & Database Maintenance. (Or click here to see the topic in the Weibull++ help file...)