What are the best practices for backing up and recovering OLAP cubes?

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Online analytical processing (OLAP) cubes are multidimensional data structures that enable fast and complex queries on large datasets. They are widely used for business intelligence, data mining, and analytics applications. However, OLAP cubes are also vulnerable to data loss, corruption, or failure due to various reasons, such as hardware malfunction, human error, malicious attack, or natural disaster. Therefore, it is essential to have a backup and recovery strategy for OLAP cubes to ensure data availability, integrity, and security. In this article, we will discuss some of the best practices for backing up and recovering OLAP cubes, based on the type, frequency, and location of the backup, and the methods and tools for the recovery.

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1 Backup types

There are two main types of backup for OLAP cubes: full backup and incremental backup. A full backup creates a complete copy of the OLAP cube and its metadata, such as dimensions, hierarchies, measures, calculations, and partitions. A full backup is usually performed when the OLAP cube is first created, or when major changes are made to its structure or data. A full backup can restore the entire OLAP cube to its original state, but it also consumes more time, space, and resources. An incremental backup only copies the changes that have occurred since the last backup, such as new or updated data or partitions. An incremental backup is usually performed more frequently than a full backup, as it reduces the backup size and duration. However, an incremental backup requires a previous full backup or incremental backup to restore the OLAP cube, and it may not capture all the metadata changes.

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Mahdi Sheikhi

Cloud Engineer | 23x Microsoft Certified Professional | Azure | Power Platform | AI & Data Developer | Software Engineer
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I think in addition to understanding full and incremental backups for OLAP cubes, it's important to consider the frequency and automation of these processes. Regular backups, aligned with the data update frequency and cube usage patterns, ensure data safety without overburdening the system. Automating the backup process can reduce the risk of human error and ensure consistent data protection and balancing between full and incremental backups, based on data criticality and change frequency, optimizes both storage use and recovery time, making the recovery process more efficient in case of data loss.

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2 Backup frequency

The frequency of backup for OLAP cubes depends on several factors, such as the size, complexity, and volatility of the OLAP cube, the business requirements and expectations, and the available resources and budget. Generally, the more often the OLAP cube is backed up, the less data loss and downtime will occur in case of a disaster, but the more storage space and network bandwidth will be needed. Therefore, a balance between the backup frequency and the resource consumption should be achieved. A common practice is to perform a full backup weekly or monthly, and an incremental backup daily or hourly, depending on the data update frequency and the recovery point objective (RPO), which is the maximum amount of data that can be lost without affecting the business continuity.

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Mahdi Sheikhi

Cloud Engineer | 23x Microsoft Certified Professional | Azure | Power Platform | AI & Data Developer | Software Engineer
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In my experience, to optimize backup frequency for OLAP cubes, consider automating the process based on data volatility. Utilize tools that can trigger backups when significant changes are detected in the data, ensuring that critical updates are not missed. This approach provides a more dynamic and efficient backup strategy, adapting to the actual usage and changes in the OLAP cube, rather than relying solely on fixed schedules.

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3 Backup location

The location of backup for OLAP cubes refers to where the backup files are stored and how they are accessed. The location of backup can affect the backup speed, security, and reliability. There are three main options for the backup location: local, remote, and cloud. A local backup stores the backup files on the same server or network as the OLAP cube, which offers fast backup and recovery, but also exposes the backup files to the same risks as the OLAP cube, such as hardware failure or physical damage. A remote backup stores the backup files on a different server or network than the OLAP cube, which provides more protection and redundancy, but also requires more network bandwidth and security measures. A cloud backup stores the backup files on a third-party cloud service provider, which offers scalability, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness, but also introduces more dependency and complexity.

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4 Recovery methods

The recovery methods for OLAP cubes refer to how the backup files are used to restore the OLAP cube to a previous or desired state. The recovery methods can vary depending on the type of backup, the type of failure, and the recovery time objective (RTO), which is the maximum amount of time that can be tolerated without affecting the business operations. There are two main recovery methods for OLAP cubes: restore and rebuild. A restore method uses the backup files to overwrite the existing OLAP cube or create a new OLAP cube with the same structure and data. A restore method is usually faster and simpler than a rebuild method, but it may not be compatible with the current data source or schema. A rebuild method uses the backup files to recreate the OLAP cube from scratch, by reprocessing the data source and applying the metadata. A rebuild method is usually more flexible and accurate than a restore method, but it may take longer and consume more resources.

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5 Recovery tools

Recovery tools for OLAP cubes are software or applications that can perform backup and recovery operations for OLAP cubes. Depending on the type, format, and platform of the OLAP cube, as well as the features, functions, and interfaces they offer, these tools can vary. Examples of recovery tools for OLAP cubes include SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) Backup and Restore, Oracle Essbase Backup and Recovery, and icCube Backup and Restore. SSAS Backup and Restore allows users to perform full or incremental backup and restore of OLAP cubes using a graphical user interface (GUI), command-line interface (CLI), or scripting language (XMLA). Oracle Essbase Backup and Recovery allows users to perform full or incremental backup and restore of OLAP cubes using a GUI, CLI, or application programming interface (API). icCube Backup and Restore is a third-party tool that can backup and restore OLAP cubes created by icCube, a Java-based OLAP server, using either a GUI or REST API.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What are the best practices for backing up and recovering OLAP cubes?

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1 Backup types

2 Backup frequency

3 Backup location

4 Recovery methods

5 Recovery tools

6 Here’s what else to consider

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