[log in to unmask] wrote:
> We have a test box and a production box.  We run processes on the
> test box to
> offload them from the production box.  A particular process requires 13-14
> hours on the production box to populate an 8-million record TurboImage
> dataset.  The same job on the test box requires about the same amount of
> time. The benefit of running on the test box is that cpu
> processing time is
> not being consumed on the production box.
>
> If one was to back up the datafile (Image master and detail
> files) on the test
> box, is it safe to restore that file onto the production box?  I
> don't know
> enough about how image databases and image root files work to say
> if this will
> cause problems.

It depends :)  The short answer would be no, this wouldn't work because
there are so many possible problems.  The longer answer is, sure no problem,
just make sure you .... (several things to watch out for).

It's not clear from your post how long it would take to restore the whole
database.  Restoring the database might take a lot less time than the
populate process, and still leave you with the time you need for testing.
If you can store/restore the whole database, this will be the very safest
process without needing to repopulate the database.

If it takes too long to store/restore, then you might consider restoring
only the root file, and only the datasets that your test will need.  As long
as you know which datasets are used, you will have no problems.

If you need more information, reply again.  It can get very detailed if
these two options do not satisfy your needs.

lb