Overview
Prior to ASE version 15.7 ESD#2, ASE did not provide any structured information about backup/restore operations performed on databases. Delphix relied on the backup server log file to find information about any backups performed using a particular backup server. The Delphix Engine parsed this log file, read each backup file to find which database the backup belonged to and restored the ones required for linked databases. As backup information is not very structured in this log file, getting backup history from this file resulted in collection and parsing of unnecessary data. Starting with ASE 15.7 ESD#2, users can enable an option at the ASE instance level to record all backup and restore operations in a particular file, known as the Dump History file. Backup and restore operation information is stored in this file in a structured way and can be reliably used to get information about backups performed on a given database. When Dump History is enabled for a linked source, Delphix will use this feature to get information about backups for all sync operations including validated sync.
Prerequisites
To use this feature, Dump history needs to be enabled at the ASE Source instance level.
Linking A Database with Dump History Enabled
By default, Delphix uses the backup server log file to discover backup information. Users can switch to Dump History by explicitly enabling it for the dSource. Before linking a database with Dump History enabled, make sure that Dump History is enabled on the source ASE instance. To enable Dump History for the database being linked, go through the linking wizard and on the Data Management page, check the box marked "Use Dump History".
Enabling Dump History after dSource is created
If a dSource was created without enabling Dump History, it can be enabled at any time provided Dump History is enabled on the source ASE instance. To enable Dump History for the dSource, go to Configuration > Data Management and check the box labeled Use Dump History. From this point onward, any sync operation (including validated sync) will use Dump History file to find next backups to be ingested. If Dump History is not enabled for the source ASE instance or Dump History file is not accessible by Delphix, an error will be displayed.
To disable Dump History, uncheck the box Use Dump History. From this point, Delphix will use the backup server log file to find backup information.
Configuring a non-default Dump History File
Delphix, by default, uses the Dump History file that is configured for the source ASE instance. Delphix will query the source ASE instance to find this file name and use this file to find dump history. However, users can specify any other file on the source host to be used for querying the backup history. In that case, Delphix will not use the file configured for the source ASE instance but will use the file specified to get backup information. To specify a custom Dump History file, go to the source environment > Databases. Click the pencil button in front of Installation Details for the desired instance. Enter the fully qualified name of the Dump History file to be used in the text box next to Dump History File.
Delphix does not support rolled over Dump History Files.