Continuing from my last blog, Caboodle - Part 13 - iPad MOBI - Install & Config
I have departed from the norm here as, this demo, had not been performed on my Caboodle VM environment, not that it matters in any sense, it's just the host name here is different.
It's about time I looked at backing up and restoring BI Content. For this, we use the Lifecycle Manager (LCM), shipped with the BI Platform.
In this blog I will be performing the following steps to demonstrate how the LCM is used to backup and restore, to and from a BI platform.
- Backup Job
- Delete Object
- Restore Job
- Rollback Job
Note: If any of the processes looks like it is taking for ever, and just sits there doing nothing, as it has done many times for me, I found the only way to proceed was to restart the Web Server !
Backup Object
Using the BI Launch Pad I copied a WebI document named here as "Flights Date[1]" which is the object I will work with.
Now, I logged on to the LCM.
All Programs->SAP BusinessObjects BI platform 4.0->SAP BusinessObjects BI Platform -> SAP BusinessObjects BI platform Lifecycle Management Console
I was presented with an initial tab "Promotion Jobs tiger:6400" where tiger is my BI host name.
I proceeded to create a "New Job"
I entered values for
- "Name"
- "Save Job in" using "Promotion Jobs" directory
- "Source" using "tiger:6400", my logged on BI platform
- "Destination" using "Output to a LCMBIAR File"
"Create"
Then I added my WebI "Flights Date[1]" objectt
"Add & Close"
I was presented with a tab containing the Job Definition, and Objects within. Notice how the folder in which the Object existed, has also been added.
I took a look at the "Job Properties"
Not much interesting here
An important piece of functionality in the LCM is the ability to recognize and append any dependent objects. As you may imagine this could be a headache if performed manually, not to mention the possibility of a dependent object being missed, rendering a backup incomplete.
"Manage Dependencies"
Next it displays the list of dependencies over on the right.
As you can see there is an OLAP Connection, and an unidentified object which may be the folder it exists under. I don't know, if anyone can explain, please do.
Having shown you that, I chose not to add any dependents for the sake of this blog.
I then chose "Save"
You know it is saved, when the "Save" icon is disabled (See below). I then closed the Job tab.
I was now back at the "Promotion Jobs tiger:6400" tab, with my Job ready for running. Notice there is no Destination just yet. This will be populated once the Job has run.
If I wish to modify to the Job, I can select it and choose "Edit".
I used the "Promote" functionality to run the Job. This can be performed from the Job Definition tab, seen here
or from the main tab "Promotion Jobs tiger:6400", seen here
Within the Promote functionality, there are five sections, each with further parameters that can be modified. I chose to modify none,
Summary
Security Settings
Test Promote
Note: The "Test Promote" functionality is disabled. It is used when restoring, not backing up.
Schedule Job
I have tried this but, I cannot get it to work. I think it is because the destination is a file and not some other system.
LCMBiar File Destination
As I said, I kept the defaults as is, and selected "Export".
A prompt from the browser to save the file will occur, "Save".
After saving from the browser prompt, the Job is finished and the folder can be opened to check the file does exist.
So all is good, and the object is now backed up
"Cancel" to return
The Job Destination can now been seen. The status remains as "Created", and the "Last Run" remains blank.
Delete Object
In the BI Launch Pad, I chose the object which I just backed up, and deleted it.
The "Flights Date[1]" object no longer exists
Restore Object
Back in the LCM, on the "Promotion Jobs tiger:6400" tab, I began to import my LCMBIAR file, by selecting the "Import" then "Import LCMBIAR" options.
I navigated and selected my LCMBIAR, file just previously create, and "OK"
I now have a new Job Definition "New Job 1", from which I need to complete some remaining fields.
- "Save Job in" using "Promotion Jobs" directory
- "Destination" using "tiger:6400"
I chose to "Save Job in" the same folder "Promotion Jobs", and my Destination, was the BI platform I was currently logged on to (when accessing the LCM).
Because I am saving the Job in the same location as it was created and I had no choice in changing the name (it was disabled, see above), I received a replacement message, which I was happy to confirm.
Now, my restore Job is ready to run (Promote). Notice there are no editing functions available.
I exited out the Job Definition tab, and selected the Job "back up test", from the "Promotion Jobs tiger:6400" tab, and then "Promote"
This time, I now have four sections with further parameter changes, in necessary.
Again, I kept all the defaults.
Summary
Security Settings
Test Promote
This was now available to me, so I executed "Test Promote"
Schedule Job
"Promote" to finally run
Be patient here, as it took about 120 seconds for me to see the "Running" status
Upon completion, I can see a "Success" status, with a Last Run timestamp
That ends the restore, so now to check the object had actually been restored.
Back in the BI Launch Pad, I could see my object "Flights Date[1]" now present it it's rightful folder.
Rollback Job
If there is any need to perform a rollback, then select the Job, and press the "RollBack" button.
"Rollback"
We are presented with the history of the Job, and in this case, there is only one. So only one instance to rollback.
Pressing the "Success" link on the right hand side, displays the Job's Object's individual Promotion statuses.
Back to the RollBack screen, be careful with the buttons. Only a small area between the icons and the descriptions actually display a hotspot, but it you click the icon or description, it will execute. It caught me out a few times.
So, having decided to RollBack, this is the reponse
Back on the "Promotion Jobs tiger:6400" tab, the "Last Run" has been removed
and not only that, so has the "Flights Date[1]" object, as expected
The "Flights Date[1]" object is no longer.
As I was playing around with this, I looked for a way to restore an individual object amongst other objects, in a Job. However, it seems there is no option for doing this. Nothing where you can select a specific object from a Job to restore. When restoring you can only select the Job, and perform the "Promote" (restore) in it's entirety. HOWEVER, after looking into the Partial Rollback funtionality, you can always roll back the objects you never wanted to restore in the first place, thus, restoring the objects you originally only wanted to restore. Make sense ? of course!
That concludes this blog about using the LCM to backup and restore BI Content objects.
Continue on to my next blog (TBD)
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