Create an empty VDB for unstructured files in the Delphix Engine

This topic describes the procedure for creating an empty VDB, used for unstructured files. The term "unstructured files" in Delphix refers to a dataset that acts as a directory of different files. An empty VDB for unstructured files is not a database and does not receive special treatment or processing by Delphix, it exists as a place for the files to be generated, tracked, and copied. Creating a VDB can be done with provisioning from an existing dataset (a dSource or another VDB) or as an empty VDB created and filled with data.

Creating an empty VDB places an initially-empty mount on target environments. It functions similar to a VDB created via provisioning except it cannot refresh. Refreshing a dataset means overwriting the dataset content with new data pulled from the dataset parent. If a new VDB is created from scratch, the newly-created dataset will not have a parent and cannot be refreshed. All other functions are identical, meaning that the new VDB for unstructured files can be provisioned from, rewound, take snapshots, and so on.

Prerequisites

The target environment must meet the requirements outlined in Unstructured Files Environment Requirements.

Unstructured Files on Cluster Environments

You cannot create an empty VDB on any form of the cluster environment, such as an Oracle RAC environment. To create an empty VDB on a host that is part of a cluster, add the host as a standalone environment, then create the empty VDB on the standalone host.

Procedure

To create an empty VDB without provisioning:

1. Login to the Delphix Management application.

2. Click Manage.

3. SelectDatasets.

4. Click the plus icon.

5. Select Create Empty VDB.

6. Click Next to go to the Target environment tab and do the following:

   1. Under Environment, select a target environment where your empty VDB will be placed.

   2. In the Mount Path field, enter the absolute path where the empty VDB/dataset will be mounted.

   3. Click Next.

7. On the Configuration tab, do the following:

   1. In the Empty VDB name field, enter a name for the VDB.

   2. Select a target group for the empty VDB.

   3. Select the Enable auto-restart of the empty VDB checkbox to allow VDB to be automatically restarted when the target host is rebooted.

   4. Click Next.

8. On the Policies tab, select a Snapshot Policy for the empty VDB.

9. (Optional) On the Hooks tab, select a hook point and then click + to add a script to run at that point. Click Next.

10. The Summary tab will enable you to review your configurations. Click Submit

After the operation completes, the empty VDB will appear in the Datasets panel.