Section 15.3. The Muck Stops Here: Databases in Plain English

15.3. The Muck Stops Here: Databases in Plain English

This chapter explains all the basics you need to know in order to learn more about database backup and recovery. You then will be prepared to read and understand the vendor-specific database chapters in this book as well as any of the appropriate sections of your favorite DBA book or manual. This chapter assumes no prior knowledge, beginning with some of the very basic elements such as tables and rows, so that even the most junior person can understand everything. However, that does not mean that a seasoned SA or DBA should not read this chapter. It took several experienced DBAs of a number of different types of databases to come up with the information you see here, so almost any DBA should be able to learn something from this chapter.

This chapter includes useful tables that list all of the elements of database storage for each of several databases: DB2, Informix,^[*] MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL, SQL Server, and Sybase. If you're not a DBA, the information here will allow you to discuss backup matters intelligently with your DBA. If you are a DBA for one product, it will help you to discuss backup and storage strategies with DBAs for other productswithout getting confused! The desired result for your organization is that you can all agree on why and how to protect your database data. What a beautiful world that will be!

^[*] Unix Backup & Recovery had an Informix backup chapter. It did not make it into this book for space reasons, but it is still available online at http://www.backupcentral.com.