[acs] Automate Serco Facility Backup

[Divaldo]

Hi,

 

Does anyone know if there is a way of automating/scripting a Facility backup rather than having to do it manually through the CMIS interface?

 

Is a SQL backup sufficient?

 

Thanks very much.

[robk]

I have a auto-it script that runs from a scheduled task to do this, have you used auto-it before?

 

RobK

[Divaldo]

Thanks,

 

No i haven't used it or heard of it before. I'll take a look...

[mattx]

Just a daily specific cmd to backup ours [ with other stuff ]

 

net use z: /d
net use z: \\10.0.0.175\share /user:admin PASSWORD
net stop mssqlserver
net stop "facility eportal"
net stop "facility data server"
copy "E:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\Data\MSSQL\Data\cmis_admin_data.mdf" \\stjohns01\e$\Dbasebkup\Serco\Thu /Y
copy "E:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\Data\MSSQL\Data\cmis_admin_log.ldf" \\stjohns01\e$\Dbasebkup\Serco\Thu /y
copy "E:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\Data\MSSQL\Data\cmis_admin_data.mdf" "z:\stjohns02\SERCO Database\thursday" /y
copy "E:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\Data\MSSQL\Data\cmis_admin_log.ldf" "z:\stjohns02\SERCO Database\thursday" /y
copy "E:\Junior Librarian Database\Junior Librarian 3\Junior3\Data\*.mdb" "Z:\Stjohns02\Junior Librarian Database\thursday" /y
net start "facility eportal"
net start "facility data server"
net start mssqlserver
net use z: /d

 

Hopefully should give you an idea.....

[mattx]

I have a auto-it script that runs from a scheduled task to do this, have you used auto-it before?

 

RobK

 

Care to share it ? May be worth changing mine.....

[robk]

No problem sharing, don't think it will attach here, so drop me a PM and I will email it back.

 

RobK

[kylewilliamson]

Generally, something like IBM Tivoli or Veritas BackupExec will do this for you..

[robk]

Generally, something like IBM Tivoli or Veritas BackupExec will do this for you..

 

True, backing up the server and database should be safe, though if you run a Serco backup you can just restore them to a access database for testing/DR etc.

 

I didn`t get a straight answer on SQL backup from Serco hence started playing with auto-it.

 

My thoughts? Both can`t hurt!

 

RobK

[michael2k6]

We officially recommend a Facility backup is taken manually every night.

In theory, a SQL backup to a bk file is enough to save your bacon in an emergency.

 

If you need further advice please contact support who will be able to help with this. If you need help specifically with how to set up the backup within SQL, i believe there is a document already produced. If not, perhaps i should produce one?

 

 

Michael Sanderson

Technical Support Engineer

Serco Learning Solutions

[mattx]

We officially recommend a Facility backup is taken manually every night.

 

But that is not much of a solution is it ?

 

Are you looking at automating this procedure at all or possible writing something to sit along side Facility ?

I can't see every school manually backing up their database - specially schools without the technolgy know how.

I am not having a go, just giving a voice to schools who don't have IT Technicans or IT savy staff.

[Facility_Dataserver]

Having spoken my RSDM from Serco, I have advised that they are close to automating facility backups

[Dan_ATR]

Has there been any update to this since 2008?

 

I have to do this manual process every day in the morning and evening for the past 3 years and its starting to do my head in.....

 

The process listed in the script is not very good as it requires the stopping and starting of the services which if not good for us.

 

Also I am very surprised Serco has not constructed an automated procedure for such a simple job as this.

[mattx]

Has there been any update to this since 2008?

 

I have to do this manual process every day in the morning and evening for the past 3 years and its starting to do my head in.....

 

The process listed in the script is not very good as it requires the stopping and starting of the services which if not good for us.

 

Also I am very surprised Serco has not constructed an automated procedure for such a simple job as this.

 

Just set the CMD script I did as a schedule so it runs at 3am in the morning. I don't think the stopping and starting of the services is going to have that much of an effect at that time.......unless you have someone working on the database at stupid o'clock !!

I'm so glad I'm out the education ICT world !!

[Dan_ATR]

Unfortunately we do get users on at stupid o'clock.... Its a nightmare some times when we want downtime for even a day... >.<

 

Take me with you...... lol please....

[michael2k6]

Hi,

 

There is no current plan to automate the backup process. This can be logged as a change request on our forums in the usual manner if you would like to persue it.

 

You can schedule a SQL backup using the SQL Agent as long as you are comfortable with backup and restore of SQL databases in this way. Support would be able to offer very limited advice on this area, and we can't be held lible for this backup process working as it's not our software.

 

Most of the schools I speak to do implement this though and I do know a few who have had to use it *cough* @john.

 

Mic @ Serco

 

 

The above post is my own and does not necessarily represent the views and opinion of my employer or their associates.

[Banjo]

We looked at this some time ago to automate the production of the LA update file. It is possible (and so would automating an internal Facility backup .bdb) if Serco proublished the parameters to pass into the .dll file