Hot Database Backup and Recovery

Database backup plays one of the most important roles in data protection practice. It provides businesses with confidence that in case of data loss, recovery time will be reduced to the minimum. Database backup is one of the most complicated areas of backup, because data used in Data Base Management Systems (DBMS) is constantly modified by many concurrent users and can’t be copied without stopping the service. That’s why it requires the use of a so-called hot database backup technology which allows copying data while preserving business activities.

Database Backup via ODBC

Handy Backup is an automatic database backup software that provides a reliable way to back up tables through ODBC (Open Data Base Connectivity) protocol. Handy Backup supports MySQL backup, MS SQL backup^*, DB2 backup^*, MS Access backup, PostgreSQL backup, FoxPro backup, Oracle backup^*, Interbase backup and backing up any other ODBC-compatible databases (see database backup restrictions). Most DBMS don’t have built-in interfaces to back up their data, that’s why the interest to such backup software as Handy Backup is growing with every day.

* MS SQL, DB2 and Oracle databases can be also backed up through special plug-ins that give more accurate results. Please see the information below on this page.

In addition to the common plug-in for database backup via ODBC described on this page, Handy Backup features several plug-ins for specific databases:

• Microsoft SQL Backup. The MSSQL Server Backup plug-in was designed specifically for MSSQL databases. It delivers more accurate results than ODBC Database Backup plug-in and allows backing up stored procedures, indexes, views and other data. Learn more about MSSQL backup...


• DB2 Backup. The DB2 Backup plug-in lets you back up databases of IBM DB2 data servers. Learn more about DB2 backup...


• Oracle Backup.^NEW! The Oracle Backup plug-in provides an easy and reliable way to back up Oracle databases with all tables and control data. More about Oracle backup...

Database Backup Features

Handy Backup has a rich set of features that allow automating DB backups on your server. Here are the highlights:

• Backing up remote and local databases without stopping them. The program exploits ODBC driver which allows you to back up and restore DB tables stored on local or network computer.


• Flexible scheduling and administering. With Handy Backup you can schedule backups to run daily, weekly, monthly, or in your own period of time. You can start the application as Windows service and enable e-mail notifications to always be sure that your data is adequately protected.


• Compression, encryption and other options. There are numerous settings that provide the most flexible configuration and administration of your backup tasks, including ZIP backup compression, command line interface, running pre- and post- applications, etc.


• Variety of supported storage media. The utility allows you to store your database copies on virtually any kind of storage media including CD/DVD, FTP/SFTP, LAN and Online.

Unlike most other database backup software which include the feature in enterprise solutions only, Handy Backup allows using it in editions designed for individual computers. We hope that this will make the program especially cost-effective and attractive for all types of users!

For a detailed guide on database backup and recovery, refer to Database Backup in the User Manual.

Handy Backup - professional tool for database backup and recovery!