This chapter covers the saving and reloading of metadata repository objects. The backup section describes the methods for backing up the metadata repository. It can also be backed up via normal database backup procedures. The restore section covers the metadata restoration functions available.

QAD Data Warehouse Designer provides two different methods for backing up and restoring metadata:

The backup of the metadata repository can be undertaken as a separate exercise from the general backup of the data warehouse. The metadata backup does not backup any of the actual data warehouse tables. It only saves the table definitions, index definitions, procedures etc., so is not normally large.

The backup includes any tables that begin with "dss_". In this way key metadata tables such as dss_parameter, dss_source_system and dss_fact_table are included in the backup. These tables are required if the restored metadata is to function correctly.

It is recommended that the metadata is backed up at least daily when possible. There are two methods for backing up the meta repository. These are through a scheduled UNIX task, and through the main QAD Data Warehouse Designer tool.