Overview:

DBUtil v1.0 is a Compaq designed utility that allows for the safe quiescing of a SQL Server 2000 database.   DbUtil uses a simple command line interface to perform -pre and -post operations that will pause and resume a SQL 2000 database.  This function is required in order to safely create snapshots or to break off cloned or mirrored copies for subsequent re-mounting. DbUtil uses the supported Microsoft SQL Server interface for Snapshot Backup. 

Installation Instructions:

DbUtil v1.0 must be placed on each node that connects to a SQL server database instance.  DBUtil v1.0 is not cluster aware and must be run from an active node. If the cluster should fail over, scripts which call the DButil v1.0 utility will have to be placed on the failover node and associated schedules recreated. 

To install DBUtil v1.0 simply unzip it into a folder of your choice. DBUtil v1.0 is ready for use as soon as it is unzipped. DBUtil v1.0 uses a simple command line interface.  From a command prompt select into the folder where DBUtil v1.0 is placed.  From there you can run the DBUtil v1.0 commands. You can also use or create *.bat files or scripts to automate the utility and schedules. 

To get the sample parameters simply type 'dbuitl' and return.  DBuitl v1.0 will retrun examples of input parameters.

Usage:

DBUtil v1.0 is intended to be used only with the Compaq StorageWorks Virtualized Storage Management for SQL Server 2000 and Rapid Restore for SQL Server 2000 Solutions, in conjunction with Compaq SANworks software. Compaq has integrated DBUtil v1.0 into pre-defined scripts that allow an administrator to plan and schedule snapshots and the dismounting and mounting of clones. DBUtil uses two commands: The -PRE command and the -POST command. The -PRE command puts a SQL database into a paused state. It commits all transactions sent to cache to prevent torn pages and buffers all other transactions until the -post command is run. During this time users are not effected and active transactions are not lost. The -POST command tells the database that the backup operations have completed and simply resumes normal operation. Within these commands are parameters that must be customized by the user to call out specific server and database names. The user must specify the SQL server and instance name if it applies, the database name, a trusted user name, and a password for that user. A sample -PRE command is listed below:

Dbutil pre <server/instance name> <database name> <user name> <password>

Once the snapshot or dismount process is complete the SQL application must be resumed in order to continue normal database operations. The -post command, shown in the example below, is used to resume the database activity.

Dbutil post <server/instance name> <database name> <user name> <password>

Example scripts are provided, within the associated Compaq Storage Solutions, as simple batch files created to automate these processes. These batch programs can then be scheduled to further automate the snapshot process.
