I’ve seen postings about how large mail files can get but I would be interested in knowing how these large databases (> 1Gig) get backed up!
Our problem is that our backup server (TSM) can’t get exclusive access to those files (usually over 800Mb) long enough to successfully back them up. Tivoli for Domino would work but our backup server currently wouldn’t handle it. What’s your backup strategy for large files? What backup application are you using?
Thanks,
Dennis
Subject: Backing Up Large Databases - My perfect solution !!!
We have our Domino data file system on a IBM ESS. Every night I stop Domino, FlashCopy the Domino data file system, restart Domino, and use TSM to backup the remounted FlashCopy of the data (>90Gig). Domino is only down for about 2 minutes and is back up and running while TSM is doing it’s backup. Works GREAT!
Subject: RE: Backing Up Large Databases - My perfect solution !!!
We use Tivoli Data protection for Domino - the live backup version of TSM. We have several databases in the 20 - 30Gb range - no issues
Subject: Backing up large databases - divide into old and new
Another way of doing it is to divide the content into old and new content. For example, an archiving application like ReduceMail Pro divides the user mailfiles into old and new stuff. The old stuff is added to once every month and needs only a monthly backup. Then the server can be taken down since users do not need immediate access to old mail at all times. The new stuff is small and is easy to back up. The end user does not see the division - it is only for the Administrator to know.
Subject: RE: Backing Up Large Databases
Sorry, we use “Tovoli for Domino”. Our biggest file (as far as I know) is 20GB. Many applications are over 5GB.
Assuming you won’t find another solution, could you perform a scheduled replication to another server? It would give you a snapshot of the database at that time.
Of course there are a million reasons why this is not an optimal solutions (deletes, edits, etc.), but it is better than nothing (slightly). 
Good luck!
Subject: RE: Backing Up Large Databases
Yes, that is my last resort. Have a scheduled replication to another server and back those files from there.
Thanks for the info.
Subject: Backing Up Large Databases
We’ve been using Syncsort’s Backup Express. We regularly backup 8-30GB databases, and have successfully restored them in our disaster recovery test scenarios. We don’t use transaction logging in Notes, but we’ve used it in MSSQL and with backup express it allows for easy point in time recovery.
Subject: Backing Up Large Databases
Hi,
It’s a good idea to use a backup system for domino. 800Meg is not a big file. I have a few with some gig’s and no system can back them up for sure.
Daniel
Subject: RE: Backing Up Large Databases
Thanks for replying. What backup system do you use?
DD