ORACLE APPLICATIONS ARCHIVES

Topicwise collection of
Postings on Mail Lists
ON
DBA - Data Archive/Purge/Backup



Archiving data from Apps

Date: Tue, 15 Jun 1999 17:06:08 -0400
From: "Keeling, John" JKeeling@subaru.com
Subject: Re: Managing applications environment

How do you archive info from your apps? We are beginning to develop an archiving strategy for the information contained/generated by our Oracle applications. I am seeking to make the various key monthly financial reports (FSGs) and key year end applications reports such as vendor masters, vendor payments, 1099 reports forms, etc indexed by report and available on CD for future reference. I have begun to make some initial contacts with a vendor that transfer the data to a CD and or make the information available from a server side solution. A couple of questions that I have started to formulate in this area are:

Are there preferred vendors that specialize in doing this for Oracle apps? Is there any synergy to doing this with any of the vendors that supply extensions for scanning and indexing records that relate to your accounts payable or accounts receivable apps (say scanned invoices that are on a server). And on a somewhat loosely related topic, does anyone have an effective strategy for maintaining the reporting relationships that existed at points in time for your financial reports. A problem that we have is changing reports or relationships or reclassing accounts makes it difficult to recreate year's earlier reports when questions or audit comes up. (This presumes that you overlay your FSGs from time to time and when you do that you lose the original or previous reporting relationships from your GL). I suppose we could keep the old reports (FSGs) and clone newer reports from them, but this happens frequently and I am a bit leery of having an unwieldy list of financial reports in the FSG LOV that tends to grow over time. I would be very greatly for any input that anyone is willing to share!

John keeling Subaru of America, Inc.


Archiving of Financials data

Date: Fri, 18 Jun 1999 14:13:48 -0400
From: ddicondina@SUNGARDRS.COM
Subject: Archiving

Hello All,

How are people handling archiving of financials? We are 10.7 Character (GL, AP, AR)/currently migrating to NCA, database 7.3.4 running on Sun Solaris. I am interested in 3rd party tools/software, hardware and philosophy.

Dominic DiCondina
SunGard Recovery Services Inc.
610-341-8016


selective/time based archiving/ refresh dev from prod

Date: Fri, 18 Jun 1999 16:47:14 -0700
From: Phil_Palmer@Playstation.sony.com
Subject: Archiving Oracle Apps Data

Currently, we copy our production Oracle Applications Database to create a development environment on an as-needed-basis. Our database size is not that large (15GB) at this point, but we are anticipating its continued growth (1.5GB/Month) to begin to hamper our ability to quickly create a development environment in the future. Additionally, we need to think about archiving data over the long haul to improve I/O performance, etc.

So my question is this:

Can anyone recommend a tool, utility or set of contributed library scripts that allow for selective/time based database archiving and/or the ability to partially refresh a development environment from production?

Phil Palmer
Sony Computer Entertainment America
http://www.playstation.com


Date: Fri, 18 Jun 1999 18:11:24 -0700
From: "Brais, Paul" BraisP@sybrondental.com
Subject: RE: Archiving Oracle Apps Data

I don't know about doing a partial refresh but we have a 100gig production database and we routinely refresh 3 development environments using SQLBacktrack from BMC software. The refresh including renaming the database and other miscellaneous tasks takes about 7 hours. The only problems we run into is the current tape not having all of the archive logs and we have to get them from the current production or from another backup tape. We are running on EMC disks subsystem and are negotiating to get TIMEFINDER which will cut the refresh time in half or better, but for a smaller database you should be able to get the job done with omniback or sqlbacktrack.

Good Luck


Date: Mon, 21 Jun 1999 11:17:34 -0700
From: "Binh Pham" Binh.Pham@jpl.nasa.gov
Subject: Re: Archiving Oracle Apps Data

We have developed a set of scripts that do database refresh everynight from our Production environment to another server for query only purposes. The scripts are also used to help us refresh any other development or testing environment as required.

It does take some efforts for us to develop these scripts and ironed out all of the kinks. So far, it has been working pretty good and our database size is 70 gigs and growing.

We can not give out the scripts since it belongs to our client.



Archiving Payroll results on CD

Date: Mon, 21 Jun 1999 17:04:08 +0200
From: Bert Vandenbussche Bert.Vandenbussche@argus-is.com
Subject: PAYROLL : Archiving Payroll results on CD

Hi,

I'm looking for information on prooven archiving strategies with respect to Oracle Payroll. I understood Oracle itself has no standard functionality for Archiving Oracle Applications data ( correct me if I'm wrong).

Does there exist any third-party products for archiving data on CD? Or better does there exist any such product for archiving Oracle Payroll Data on CD?

Any feedback on archiving strategies or reasons why we wouldn't need archiving at all are welcome.

Regards,
Bert


Date: Mon, 21 Jun 1999 10:48:32 -0500
From: "Ken Conway" ken.conway@bosscorporation.com
Subject: Re: PAYROLL : Archiving Payroll results on CD

Bert:

You are correct. There is no current functionality to support archiving of Oracle Payroll information.

It is possible to safely archive and delete all of your PayMIX and Batch Element Entry tables unless Oracle Time Management or another third party product has a specific reporting requirement that requires you retain PayMIX data. We have deleted the information in these tables before. However, you must be careful based on your specific situation before determining that this is safe for your implementation.

Unfortunately, it is very risky to attempt the same approach with some of the "large" tables such as pay_run_results, pay_run_result_values, pay_payroll_actions, pay_element_entries_f, pay_element_entry_values_f, etc. Oracle has to be careful with purging this data since it is clearly needed for producing Quarterly Wage Listings and Year End Processing. Also, these tables are used for Retro Pay processing. Finally, with Date Tracking, the user can go back in time and review an employee's Statement of Earnings from past years. If the data from the tables were purged and archived, this could become a real mess.

I do have further thoughts and strategies on archiving payroll data. Please feel free to call me at (214) 495-7654.

Hope this helps,
Ken
Ken Conway
BOSS Corporation
Better Organization Service Solutions
214-495-7654 (Voice)
214-495-7653 (Fax)
770-622-5500 (Headquarters)
Email: ken.conway@bosscorporation.com
http://www.bosscorporation.com



Purging data within OraApps

Date: Mon, 28 Jun 1999 10:56:13 +0000
From: Gary Wright gary.wright@experian.com
Subject: Purging Data within Oracle Apps ????????????

Does anyone know of any procedures/techniques/3rd party tools which can be used to purge data within an Oracle Applications database.

We have cloned our live database to create a new database. The new database is to have a new set of books for a new company. We really need to clear our customers/suppliers/old transactions etc for the new database as these transactions will simply not be used and will only clog up the system. We created the new database from the old so we could retain the original configuration.

Any Ideas anyone ???
Regards,
Gary.


Date: Mon, 28 Jun 1999 07:43:53 -0300
From: Melanie Perry Melanie.Perry@moncton.org
Subject: RE: Purging Data within Oracle Apps ????????????

Hi Gary

We have a similar situation here. We are going through the process right now of purging at least 6 or 7 years of data for AP\PO and then we will purge GL. This is currently only from our TEST system. Once we know the procedure, then we will aply it to PROD.

We are using the AP\PO submit purge screen to initiate and confirm the processes. Oracle Apps provides a process to do this for you. I musy say though, we have had a few problems with it thus far but we have had successful purges.

I can give you more info if you require it.
Melanie Perry
SSA \ DBA
The City of Moncton


Date: Mon, 28 Jun 1999 13:31:00 +0000
From: Gary Wright gary.wright@experian.com
Subject: RE: Purging Data within Oracle Apps ???????????? -Reply

Melanie,

Many thanks for replying, It would be great if you would provide any information at all on the purging work you've been looking at. Especially information on problems encountered and any patches you've had to apply.

Thanks Again,
Gary.


Date: Mon, 28 Jun 1999 09:52:36 -0300
From: Melanie Perry Melanie.Perry@moncton.org
Subject: RE: Purging Data within Oracle Apps ???????????? -Reply

Hi Gary

The documentation is in the Oracle Apps manuals on purging. I suggest you give it a read before starting anything because there is a procedure you must follow.

As far as the process goes, it is fairly straightforward but we ran into some problems.

I have a TAR opened now with Oracle - TAR 11981033.600. Give it a read on the oracle website and if you need anything else, let me know. I could go into details but everything is written in the TAR.

Oh, we are getting a signal 11 on the confirm category of the purge and oracle can't seem to figure it out.....I applied a patch but it didn't make any difference.

Melanie Perry


Date: Mon, 28 Jun 1999 08:43:31 -0500
From: "Marcia Michalik" marcia_michalik@edisonday.com
Subject: RE: Purging Data within Oracle Apps ????????????

As part of the leadership group for the Twin Cities Financial SIG, we have been looking into third party software for purge/archive in order to present alternatives to our members at our August meeting. The two companies we have lined up are Kernel Tweaks and Bitbybit. Both have web sites. I got these names off this server and both have received good reviews in the recent past.

Regards,
Marcia Michalik
Edison Day & Associates, Ltd.
612.943.3981
marcia_michalik@edisonday.com


From: "Wagner, Brent" Brent_Wagner@StandardAero.ca
Subject: RE: Purging Data within Oracle Apps ????????
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 1999 09:41:56 -0500

Hi Gary / Melanie,

We have been attempting to do a PO / AP purge as well. We've had a TAR opened with Oracle Support Canada for over 1 year. When we select Simple Invoice Purge we get the wrong data and when we select Matched PO Purge we also get the wrong data. Oracle provided 4 patches over the last year and none fixed the problem (1 actually caused the Purge to crash). Support searched webiv extensively, and they talked to development, response was, "This is not a know problem." We have all of the latest forms and reports. It was finally determined that the invoices were not being picked up because the assets_addition_flag in ap_invoice_distribtions was set to 'U' even though we are not using FA. Oracle updated this field to be a 'N' value and more invoices were picked up. Also, the cleared_date in ap_checks_all is not populated as we do not clear checks. This needs to have a date in it. Once Oracle updated this field to the value of 01-JUN-97, over 300 pages of invoices were selected, (instead of 2 pages)!!! The purged has successfully completed in TEST (finally) and we'll be trying Production later this week. I suggest checking out your values in these two tables. We're on 10.7, AP, AR, INV, GL, PO.

Cheers,
Brent DP Wagner
Analyst - Oracle Applications
Standard Aero Ltd. Winnipeg, MB. Canada
Brent_Wagner@standardaero.ca mailto:Brent_Wagner@standardaero.ca mailto:Brent_Wagner@standardaero.ca


From: Melanie Perry Melanie.Perry@moncton.org
Subject: RE: Purging Data within Oracle Apps ????????
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 1999 13:02:42 -0300

Wow! Thanks Brent.

I am experiencing the similar problems. The purge actually "purges" rows but the before report and the after report do not match. The user are concerned why this is and I don't believe we will want to advance to PROD like this.

Also, I am getting a signal 11 on the confirm process. Any ideas? Did this happen to you? Oracle said that getting this error is no big deal. I am a little concerned to why they would say this. The "confirm" process seems to spawn 4 jobs : 2 purge listing reports, the purge summarization job, and then the actual delete job. Does this sound like the correct procedure?

Thanks Melanie Perry


From: "Wagner, Brent" Brent_Wagner@StandardAero.ca
Subject: Purging Data within Oracle Apps ????????
Date: Mon, 28 Jun 1999 12:59:27 -0500

Yes, we get the 4 jobs and this seems to be the correct procedure. No, we have never had the Signal 11 error. Are you maybe purging too much data? Did you check those tables I mentioned? Isn't interesting that we both deal with Oracle Support Canada, yet neither of our very similar TARs crossed paths?

Brent DP Wagner
Analyst - Oracle Applications
Standard Aero Ltd. Winnipeg, MB. Canada



Accidental purge

Date: Wed, 30 Jun 1999 14:47:00 +0300
From: mohammed alshaarawi m_sharawy@tccbce.com
Subject: INV:PERIOD:TRAN:PURGE

Hi all

One of our users have accidentally purged all transactions for last period. is there away to retrive all this transcations thanx


Forcing roll forward thru archived redologs

Tim_Plunkett@praxair.com wrote:

Does anyone know a way to "force" oracle to roll forward through archived redo logs AFTER the database has been opened? Here is what happened:

1) Cold backup taken 6/14/99. Database is run in archived log mode.
2) On 6/15/99, an HP SCSI controller card failed, we lost two mount points, including the one with the system datafiles. The archived log files remained intact, with approx. 25 "new" archive logs since the last cold backup.
3) Recovered database files.
4) Startup. ( I know, I should have not opened the database - now I cannot perform media recovery!)

Is there any known way to "force" of "fool" oracle into applying these redo-logs? A few consultants and even Oracle WW support has hinted at a way, but either it does not really exist or is terribly difficult. Just thought I would pose the question to the "cream of the DBA crop" in this group.

Thanks in advance for any assistance, Tim.
Ronald Leedy rleedy@us.oracle.com


Ron Leedy rleedy@us.oracle.com on 06/15/99 09:59:35 AM

cc: (bcc: Tim Plunkett/USA/Praxair)
Subject: Re: Can you "fool" Oracle?

Tim,

Why don't you just restore the files again and follow the procedure correctly?
Sure it means more down time but what is the production costs of the not having those transactions from the archive logs?


From: Tim_Plunkett@praxair.com Tim_Plunkett@praxair.com
To: Multiple recipients of list oraapps-dba@cpa.qc.ca
Date: Tuesday, June 15, 1999 11:48 AM
Subject: Re: Can you "fool" Oracle?

Ron,

I have already done as you mentioned. I was just curious of the so-called "alternate" method.

Thanks for the help, Tim.


From: "Timothy Brewer" tbrewer@tbsolns.com
Reply-To: oraapps-dba@cpa.qc.ca
To: Multiple recipients of list oraapps-dba@cpa.qc.ca
Subject: Re: Can you "fool" Oracle?
Date: Tue, 15 Jun 1999 17:00:39 -0400 (EDT)

Peers,

While this might be "interesting" from a technical standpoint, it seems to me that you would forfeit the integrity of your database by doing so...

That is, an update statement could have been issued while the database was open that took the current value of a column and added a value to it:
update po_lines_all
set quantity = quantity (from the original backup) + 5
where ...... ;

When in fact the update (perhaps called from a stored proc) should have been:
update po_lines_all
set quantity = quantity (value from redo log number 22, say) + 5
where ..... ;

Then when you roll forward from redo logs that are actually before my update statement, it seems like you've just corrupted the database. (Corrupted from the standpoint that the data is no longer valid --- not corrupted from the standpoint that you cannot get the database open.)

Please correct me if I'm wrong. However, I could understand from a standpoint that the users haven't gone in yet and you want to shut it down and recover after you inadvertently opened the database.

I suppose I can see why Oracle would not want to support this.
Later,
Timothy J. Brewer
Sr. Oracle Consultant
TB Solutions, Inc.


Date: Tue, 22 Jun 1999 21:06:38 GMT
From: manu b manu024@hotmail.com
Subject: fooling Oracle?? what is the issue

Hi pals,

Forgive me for my limited knowledge but I want to know what was wrong in doing the startup after recovering the db files from Cold backup.Or are you suggesting that we should do restore from the cold backup and then mount the database with the new set of db files(from restoration) and then try to do incomplete recover until time of the last archvied log. Will really appreciate if someone pls throw some light on this.

thanks


Date: Tue, 22 Jun 1999 16:52:27 -0600
From: Tim_Plunkett@praxair.com
To: oraapps-dba@cpa.qc.ca
Subject: Re: fooling Oracle?? what is the issue

Manu,

Since I wanted to apply the archive log files to a 'cold' restoration, I should not have opened the database after I restored it from tape. Once the database was opened, there was no way to do the incomplete recovery, since the database thought it was already recovered. I should have just mounted the database and then did the recovery.

No transactions took place after the database was opened, so I was looking for a way to 'trick' the control files so I would not have to restore the database from tape again. Unfortunately, this is what I had to do, but this time, I followed the directions ;)

Tim.



Purge Tx history - Tables effected

Date: Thu, 22 Jul 1999 09:20:22 +1200
From: Mark Healey MHealey@swichtec.co.nz
Subject: Purge Transaction History

We are about to purge our transaction history. Does any know which tables are effected? Do not want any surprises

Mark (Austin) Healey
Applications Systems Administrator
Swichtec Power Systems Ltd


Purge/archive budget balances

Date: Fri, 23 Jul 1999 09:39:42 -0500
From: "Ary, Diane" dary@moorman.com
Subject: GL: Archive and Purge

We are using 10.7 character and are on database version 7.3.3.6. I have two questions about the standard Oracle archive and purge functionality in GL.

1) The Oracle reference manual states you can only archive/purge actual balances. What about budget balances?

2) The Oracle reference manual says you can archive/delete actual balances as well as journal details and its associated journal references. What are the associated journal references?

Diane Ary
Work Phone (217)-231-2271
Work Fax (217)-223-1915
EMail dary@moorman.com


Backup scripts/instructions for NT environment

Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 17:35:23 -0700
From: Carlos_Raul_Jimenez@notes.amdahl.com
Subject: NT backups scripts and instructions....

DBA's:

Does any DBA has some scripts to run hot/cold backups and exports on NT, I need to setup some NT boxes with backups scripts, I haven't done much with NT so I will appreciate any kind of help in this matter, some instructios how to set up the scripts, which account to run it from and how to set it so it will run on a schedule sort of crontab kind of jobs. Any help will be welcome, thanks in advance.

Best regards, Carlos R. Jimenez. Sr. Oracle DBA. CJimenez Ind. Cons., Inc.


Date: Thu, 22 Jul 1999 12:26:46 +0400
From: mzaveri@eppco.co.ae
Subject: Re: NT backups scripts and instructions....

Long back, I saw them on http://technet.oracle.com/ (You need to register. It is free) I don't exactly remember, it's in code or support area within that site.


Date: 22 Jul 99 08:59:12 EDT
From: Yigal Ran ydran@usa.net
To: Carlos_Raul_Jimenez@notes.amdahl.com, oraapps-dba@cpa.qc.ca
Subject: NT backups scripts and instructions....

Hi Carlos,

Try the attached scripts, you can replace the "NET' and "SVRMGR??" with "ORADIM??" if you like.

Let me know if it's working for you.
Yigal



Purge fnd_conc_req_stat table

Date: Thu, 29 Jul 1999 14:38:43 -0500
From: Bharat Patel bpatel@DOMINOAMJET.com
Subject: fnd_conc_req_stat table

Does any body know the program name that purge the data from the above mentioned table? As I can't find it in tech ref. manual. Can I get rid of the data from this table? If yes what I have to take under consideration?

Note : we are on 11.02.
thanks.
Bharat Patel
D.B.A.
bpatel@dominoamjet.com
847-244-2501 ex 1249


Date: Thu, 29 Jul 1999 13:23:46 -0700
From: "Bullard, James" James.Bullard@fluke.com
Subject: RE: fnd_conc_req_stat table

Yes you can, being new to the Apps I found in Chapter 8-25, 9-26 in the reference manual. System Admin guide. In 10.7 I believe it was Purge Concurrent Request and/or Manager Data.

HTH James


Date: Thu, 29 Jul 1999 15:32:44 -0500
From: Bharat Patel bpatel@DOMINOAMJET.com
Subject: RE: fnd_conc_req_stat table

James that Purge program is running on ur system and it is still filling up this table. That's why I posted in this forum.

thanks.
Bharat Patel
D.B.A.
bpatel@dominoamjet.com
847-244-2501 ex 1249


Date: Fri, 30 Jul 1999 18:50:04 -0000
From: "Gopalakrishnan K" gopalak@wiproge.med.ge.com
Subject: Re: fnd_conc_req_stat table

Hi Bharat !

This table contains details of ALL concurrent programs. To purge this data you have to run one MORE CONCURRENT program

GO to SyS admin menu

Run the purge concurrent request
and give the number of days
fire a new report.

This will purge the table.

I am not in my worksite. so theere may be some mistakes in the menu path.
Basically you haave to run one mmore conc request to purge the table
DO NOT EVER TRY TO TRUNCATE THE TABLE..
GOpal



Archive / Purge HRMS

Subject: [orahrms-l] Archive/Purge functionality for Oracle HRMS
From: Ida Young imyoung@mail1.jpl.nasa.gov
Date: Fri, 14 May 1999 10:11:21 -0700

Oracle has Archive/Purge functionality available for PA in beta for release 10.7 Does anyone know if Oracle also has Archive/Purge functionality for Oracle HRMS? Have anyone done this successfully for Oracle HRMS ? We are in need of having to do archiving in the near future. If anyone has any information in this area, please let us know.

Thank you.
Ida Young, IBS Product Implementation People Systems Supervisor
Email: ida.m.young@jpl.nasa.gov
Tel: (818) 354-9544


OE - SO_EXCEPTION table size increasing manifold - purge policy

Date: Thu, 12 Aug 1999 13:49:10 -0400
From: John Sweeney jsweeney@goaa.org
Subject: OE-SO_EXCEPTIONS table growing-Purge policy

We are running Oracle Financials 10.7 SC161, RDBMS 8.0.5 on Sun Solaris. Three months after going live, our SO_EXCEPTIONS table has grown to 7,894 recs. All the exceptions are due to "Insufficient quantity to Pick Release". The number of records is not a big deal now, but could eventually get out of control.

Oracle's help text on this states:
"The Process Exception Report prints reports on Order Entry / Shipping's concurrent programs. For example, you can use this report to see if Receivables Interface transferred information successfully to Oracle Receivables. Order Entry / Shipping automatically stores information for this report for each concurrent program you run, except for OrderImport, which has its own report...Suggestion: Your DBA should monitor the SO_EXCEPTIONS table and delete records as applicable for your business. Order Entry / Shipping does not automatically delete any records from this table. "

QUESTION 1: Does anyone have a suggestion on a recommended policy for purging this table? I realize this may be company-specific but I'm throwing it out for thoughts anyway.

QUESTION 2: Does anyone know why we are running into so many Insufficient quantity for Pick Release problems? What can we do to control this better? This may be more of a business issue and may be tough to answer without examining how we are running our Order Entry and Inventory shops.

John Sweeney
GOAA, IT Department
407-825-3280


Date: Thu, 12 Aug 1999 13:23:04 -0500
From: Bharat Patel bpatel@DOMINOAMJET.com
Subject: RE: OE-SO_EXCEPTIONS table growing-Purge policy

John, we are truncating this table every night after we take a backup. As it is usual to grow it rapidly. It totally depends on the business decision. You can keep the records for numbers of days and then delete it. Only thing then after you need to do is imp/exp otherwise it never free up the space by deleting records. We set a cron job which does for us.

hope this helps.
Bharat Patel
D.B.A.
bpatel@dominoamjet.com
847-244-2501 ex 1249


Date: Fri, 13 Aug 1999 09:21:40 -0700 (PDT)
From: Carlos Jimenez cjimenezinc@yahoo.com
To: oraapps-l@cpa.qc.ca, Multiple recipients of list oraapps-l@cpa.qc.ca
Subject: Re: OE-SO_EXCEPTIONS table growing-Purge policy

John:
I think we (in this group) had talked about this and I sent this before, but look into it and if you like call Oracle get a tar number (to be sure) and perhaps purge with the sql script attached, our policy is if the concurrent request from FND_CON- CURRENT_REQUESTS tables does not exist any more then its corresponding record from so_exceptions shouldn't either.

We run the following script from the concurrent manager an a daily basis:

set long 90000
set head on
set echo on
select a.request_id,a.creation_date,
a.last_update_date,a.context,a.message_text
from so_exceptions a
where not exists (select b.request_id
from fnd_concurrent_requests b
where a.request_id = b.request_id)
/
delete from so_exceptions a
where not exists (select b.request_id
from fnd_concurrent_requests b
where a.request_id = b.request_id)
/

Best regards, Carlos R. Jimenez. Sr. Oracle DBA.