Full Restore Steps

In this topic:

System Administrator (SA) Login Only

There are two steps to a Full Database Restore. When you select a Backup (from Backup and Restore Management) and request Restore Backup, a dialog box appears asking whether you want to allow user access during the restore. The options are:

Yes - Allow Dashboard users to access the database after step 1 of the restore operation completes. The restore commences immediately when you select this option.
No - Block Dashboard users' access to the database through the entire restore operation (step 1 and step 2). The restore commences immediately when you select this option.
Cancel - Cancel out of the request and do not perform the restore. You exit back to Backup and Restore Management.

Step 1 of Restore

During the first step of a restore job, the restore operation overwrites all data in the current database. While this happens, the database is not available— regardless of whether you select either Yes or No on the dialog box. Users who attempt to access the data receive the message "The database restore operation is running. The Dashboard must be shut down." Their Dashboard application then shuts down.

This is why it is important to inform all users when a restore operation will take place, or run the restore when users will not be using the Dashboard.

If you chose not to copy snapshots and attachment files as part of the backup job (as set in Options: Backup & Archive), step 2 of the restore process does not apply.

Step 2 of Restore

During the second step of a restore job, the restore operation overwrites all screen snapshot and email attachment files. The database has been fully restored, and has all pointers to the files, but the files are now being overwritten with restored data. This step can take a long time, and so you are offered a choice:

If you select Yes on the dialog box, users regain access to the newly restored database during this step. They can access Quick View, User Explorer, and so on. However, if a Dashboard user attempts to access a screen snapshot or attachment, a "File not found" error message appears. The file is not available.
If you select No on the dialog box, users are blocked from using the Dashboard until the restore procedure is completely finished. As in step 1 of the process, any attempt to access data causes the Dashboard to shut down.

If Dashboard users are having frequent "File not found" errors, and you have selected Yes for access during the restore operation, make sure the restore operation is completely finished. A restore in progress could be causing this problem.

Check the Restore Progress

After you launch a restore, wait for a period time for the first part of the restore to complete, and then check on the restore using these steps.

To check the progress of the restore:

Select the Jobs Management folder in Management.
Click the Refresh button on the Dashboard toolbar. Wait several moments for the display to update.
Check the Archive/Restore job. If the job status says it is currently executing, the restore is not finished. If the job status shows an updated "Last Run Time" and says that the job is currently idle, the restore operation has completed.