While the process of backing up and recovering a central site is similar to backing up and restoring any primary site, there are requirements to consider when backing up and restoring central sites that make them unique to central sites.
Recovering the central site is unique in the following ways:
- On the central site, many configuration
changes can be constantly made, and it might be impossible to
repeat all of them.
- The central site does not have a parent site
from which to obtain a copy of the site control file.
To resolve these issues, and to ensure that it is possible to recover all the data of the central site, follow these recommendations:
- Back up the central site frequently.
- Have a reference site for the central site,
so that recovery tools can recover packages and advertisements
created after the site is backed up.
- Have a copy of the central site control file
that is as recent as possible.
- Between site backup cycles, back up the
central site control file frequently. You can use system tools or
batch files to automatically back up the site control file
frequently. To back up site control files, you can use the
Hierarchy Maintenance tool (PreInst.exe). For more information
about PreInst.exe, see Hierarchy Maintenance
Tool (Preinst.exe).
- Store the site control file backup at the
designated reference site.
- Store the site control file with a *.CT0
format so that during recovery it is sufficient to rename the file,
and drop it on the recovering central site.
- Between site backup cycles, back up the
central site control file frequently. You can use system tools or
batch files to automatically back up the site control file
frequently. To back up site control files, you can use the
Hierarchy Maintenance tool (PreInst.exe). For more information
about PreInst.exe, see Hierarchy Maintenance
Tool (Preinst.exe).
If you follow these recommendations, then you will be able to recover most of the configuration when recovering the central site. You will be able to recover configuration data and software distribution objects definition from the reference site. The administrative data that is lost if the central site fails is less critical, and is regenerated after the central site regains functionality.