W7A Back-up and Recovery Plan in Data Warehousing - Essay Example

Back-Up and Recovery Plan in Data Warehousing al Affiliation Back-Up and Recovery Plan in Data Warehousing You are a data warehouse administrator, prepare a back-up and recovery plan. Indicate the back-up methods and schedules. The back-up methods would depend on the amount of historical data and the frequency within which data is to be backed-up. According to Ponniah (2010), the back-up strategy or method should contain the following elements: (1) a division of data according to static and active data; (2) the establishment of specific schedules of backing up static data and active data; (3) more frequent back-up schedules for active data in conjunction with less frequent back-up schedules for static data; (4) a back-up scheme which incorporates differential backups and log file backups; (5) “synchronization of the backups with the daily incremental loads; (and finally, (6) saving of the incremental load files to be included as part of recovery if applicable” (p. 507).Explore the recovery options.

For the recovery options, Ponniah (2010) provided suggestions that would assist data warehouse administrators in designing which options would cater to the organization’s requirements. One of the recovery options would be to use best practices through an examination of various disaster scenarios and how the organization managed to recover the information. The recovery procedure would thereby be adjusted according to the needs of the organization, as well as the time required to recover crucial data.

From the strategies recommended for back-ups (separating schedules for static and active data, as well as differential and log file back-ups with daily incremental loads), the data warehouse administrator should be able to recover the needed information within clearly stipulated time frames.Describe the scope of back-up functions. The scope of back-up functions actually depends on the volume and kind of data that requires backing-up. As noted, there are active and static data where the frequency of back-up schedules would differ (more frequent back-up schedules for active data in conjunction with less frequent back-up schedules for static data) (Ponniah, 2010).

Likewise, depending on the incremental data that the organization puts in on a daily basis, the scope of the back-up function follows accordingly.How will you ensure the readiness to recover from disasters? To ensure readiness to recover from disasters, the back-up files must be stored in strategic areas that are safe and secure. Likewise, point persons who could be authorized and assigned to perform relevant functions pertinent to back-up and recovery should be aware of their respective roles and responsibilities in the process.

As emphasized, the data warehouse administration should be prepared in addressing the following questions and concerns: (1) downtime that users could tolerate during the recovery process; (2) data that users are willing to lose in a worst case scenario; and (3) whether data warehouse could effectively function until lost data has been recovered (Ponniah, 2010). Only then could the data warehouse administrator be assured that the organization is ready to recover from unexpected disasters.ReferencePonniah, P. (2010). Data Warehousing Fundamentals for it Professionals.

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