User Guide

Practical Theory: Understanding Polling, Extraction and Backup
9-3
9.4. Automatic and Manual Backup
Within this section, a backup is defined as a file that is generated by the BMDM program
automatically or upon user request. Backup file generation is available only when using an
Access database.
The BMDM program stores data from the MPM or BDS in a Microsoft Access or SQL
compatible file. As defined in File Types, an MDB file is an Access database file that stores
cell and battery readings and setup data. An MDF file is equivalent to an MDB, but for an
SQL database. A WinZip

ZIP file is a compressed file for backup of an Access MDB
database file.
When using Access, the working database is automatically saved as a ZIP file at midnight.
The number 1 is appended to the file name and the extension becomes ZIP. Backups are
made for three days, appended with 1, 2 or 3. On the fourth day, the oldest backup is
overwritten. On the first of the month, another backup is created, with the month and year
appended to the file name. On subsequent first days of each month, another file is created,
again with the month and year appended.
The BMDM program cannot back up an SQL database MDF file nor its associated LDF file.
The system administrator should institute a process that ensures regular backups of both these
SQL database file types.
At any time, to save an Access database as an MDB database file, select File|Save As. To
save the MDB file as a ZIP backup file, select File|Backup Database.
To open a backup file, select File|Open Backup. When the BMDM opens a backup file, it
converts it from a ZIP to an MDB Access database file. Backup does not apply to SQL.
To copy an SQL database to the server, attach the database files to the SQL server by typing
the following commands at the command prompt:
osql -U sa
password
sp_attach_db @dbname = 'BMDMdatabasename',
@filename1 = 'databasepath/BMDMdatabasename.mdf',
@filename2 = 'databasepath/BMDMdatabasename_log.ldf'
go
exit
exit
Where password is the password for the system administrator account, which is alber by
default.
Where databasename is the name of the database being copied.
Where databasepath is the path under which the database being copied resides.