Managing NerveCenter - Managing the Database - Restoring the Database -
Backing up the Database      Transferring Data between Databases

Restoring the Database

If you have established a regular backup schedule and make sure you back up the database when you are doing anything that might affect the database (such as an upgrade), you'll be able to restore your data with minimal loss if you have a database problem. Here are some typical examples of situations when you'll want to restore the database:

• The machine on which the database is stored crashes. You install NerveCenter on another machine and restore your database.
• You import new behavior model objects, but discover they are causing some problems. You roll back the database so you can eliminate the problems while you troubleshoot the behavior models.
• To preserve the data in your Microsoft Access database during an upgrade, you back it up. After the upgrade, you restore your data and continue running NerveCenter.

For more information, see:

• Restoring the Database Using the SerializeDB Application
• Restoring the Database from the Command Line

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     We recommend that you use SerializeDB (application or command line) instead of manually copying a backup to the db directory to make sure you import the data correctly and reestablish the connection to the database.

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Restoring the Database Using the SerializeDB Application

SerializeDB imports the data in your database from a text file. When you use the SerializeDB GUI on Windows, you can have SerializeDB import the data from a NerveCenter flat file database or a serialized ASCII file.

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   Before you restore the database, you must shut down the NerveCenter Server. If you don't shut down the NerveCenter Server, you could lose data.

If you are restoring a UNIX flat file database, all of the files that make up the database must be in the db directory. See Database Formats for more information.

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  To restore the database using the SerializeDB application:

1. Do one of the following to start SerializeDB:
   • On Windows, start SerializeDB from the NerveCenter program group in the Start menu.
   • In a UNIX shell, change directories to the NerveCenter bin directory and type ./serializedb &. Then press Enter.

     The SerializeDB window is displayed.

     

2. Select the Import file to database radio button.

   The Format radio buttons are not available because they do not apply to importing data.

3. In the File field, specify the *.asc (UNIX and Windows) or *.ncdb file (Windows) from which you want to import data.

   You can also use the Browse button to select a file. In the Select File dialog box, select the file; then select Open.

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      If you select an *.ncdb file, the file must not have more than one period (.) in the name -- nervecenter.old.ncdb, for example, would not work.

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4. Select Start.

   On UNIX, SerializeDB starts importing the data.

   On Windows, you must specify the data source for the database. The Select Data Source window is displayed.

   

   1. Select the Machine Data Source tab.
   2. Select the data source for your NerveCenter database. Then select OK.

When the data has been imported, SerializeDB displays a message letting you know that the data transfer was successful.

Restoring the Database from the Command Line

When you run SerializeDB from the command line, SerializeDB imports the data into your database from a serialized ASCII file. You can issue SerializeDB commands from a script. For example, on UNIX, you can write a script called restorencdb that shuts down the server, imports the data from backup.asc, and restarts the server.

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   Before you restore the database, you must shut down the NerveCenter Server. If you don't shut down the NerveCenter Server, you could lose data.

If you are restoring a UNIX flat file database, all of the files that make up the database must be in the db directory. See Database Formats for more information.

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  To restore the database using the command line:

1. Enter one of the following:
   • At a DOS prompt:

     serializedb -F backupfile.asc -O FileToDB -R

     or|C "DSN=datasourcename;UID=userID;PWD=password"

     Replace backupfile.asc with the name of the file you want SerializeDB to import. If your current working directory is not the directory in which backupfile.asc is located, specify the path with the name of the file.

     • Use -R to have SerializeDB get the data source name, user ID, and password from the registry. You can use -R with a Microsoft SQL Server database or a Microsoft Access database.
     • Use -C "DSN=datasourcename;UID=userID;PWD=password" instead of -R only if you are restoring a Microsoft SQL Server database. Replace datasourcename with the existing data source name, userID with the appropriate SQL Server user ID, and password with the corresponding password.
   • In a UNIX shell:

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        On UNIX, SerializeDB requires an Xdisplay even when running in command line mode. Therefore, do not run SerializeDB remotely or on a headless server via a TTY.

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     serializedb -F backupfile.asc -O FileToDB -R -D nervecenter.ncdb

     Replace backupfile.asc with the name of the file you want SerializeDB to import. If your current working directory is not the directory in which backupfile.asc is located, specify the path with the name of the file.

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        The *.ncdb file must not have more than one period (.) in the name -- nervecenter.old.ncdb, for example, would not work.

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2. Check to make sure the data was imported.

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      Use the timestamp and the size of the file as an indicator of success. For example, if the timestamp is old or the file size is 0K, you need to investigate further.

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If the SerializeDB does not import the data successfully, check the Event Log on Windows or the system log on UNIX for error messages.