Backup of Live Files with SAN/LUN?

[Tompa79]

Hi

One of our customer is doing a backup of the LUN where our Filemaker server is present. Is this ok or might this damage the live files?

I have next to none knowledge about LUN-drives and SAN storage. Normally we have a strict policy of NO BACKUPS on live files - but this technician says it's ok - I have no idea? Anybody who knows?

(BTV - Specs win2003, FMS9, 2gb ram, 50GB HD, Xeon 2.5GHz)

Thanks!

[Steven H. Blackwell]

I would say your policy is correct and that the technician is wrong. And you really cannot afford to gamble on this.

Steven

[Tompa79]

Thanks for your reply!

I should make this more clear I think - they don't actually copy on file level, but on block level. Does it matter?

[Kris M]

The mechanics of the backup method does not matter. The only utility that can safely backup a live FMP file is FileMaker server. Backup of the FM server installation while it is running is also not reccomended.

Edited November 20, 2009 by Guest

[Tompa79]

Thanks!

Not much to discuss then. No external backup of the filemaker catalogue is allowed.

[corn]

For argument's sake, let's presume it was "safe" to do so. What would you then have in the backup? Worthless FMP files.

Since FMS holds some of the data in cache, there is a pretty good chance that the files that are in the backup will be corrupted.

So, even if you could backup these live files, it's not worth doing. And since our initial scenario is not true, and there is some chance of damage when backing up an open FMP file, you're essentially increasing the risk of corruption with zero potential benefit.