Originally posted by: SystemAdmin

Can somebody explain what would be the basic difference between using the database copy utility vs the Merge option (partner manager-utilities-d/b utilities) in trading manager.
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Originally posted by: SystemAdmin

The database copy utility (PMCopy.exe) copies an entire database (all records; with traffic being the only option) to an "empty" database. The destination database cannot have any partners, links, post offices, or traffic data.

The merge utility copies selected partners, links, post offices to a database that doesn't have to be empty. The object being copied can't exist is basically the only restriction. If merging links, it will copy the "dependencies" such post offices, partners, and even standards data (like structure validation) if the destination doesn't have them; otherwise it will reference what you already have.

I wrote the copy utility basically so you can create a copy of database for support; it can copy any supported database vendor's data to another (DB2 to Access, for example). Another use: If you're switching database vendors; it will move the data without requiring your DBA to write conversion scripts.

The merge also supports "any to any" database vendors; but it's primary purpose was to allow the user to promote objects from "test" to "production" databases. For example, you may have a test database on your PC using Access, you can move a link to your DB2 production database.
Jim Hobler
IBM Software Engineer
The postings on this site are my own and do not necessarily represent the positions, strategies, or opinions of IBM
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Originally posted by: SystemAdmin

Thanks Jim.

So when adding 5010 applications to existing trade links can we use the approach as

1)run the drop/inst/load scripts on a test d/b
2)use d/b copy utility to copy source(production) to target (test d/b)
3)make additions/updates with 5010 to test d/b and complete testing
4)Then again use merge to merge it back to production d/b
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Originally posted by: SystemAdmin

That's an excellent example of thinking outside of the box! I see you're addressing the migration to 5010 that many of our customers have been asking about.

The quick answer is a conditional "yes", if you add a step between 3 and 4:

3a) Delete the trade link from the production database

The reason: the merge only works if the (entire) trade link does not exist in the destination database. It cannot add a 5010 to an already existing 4010, for example.

The definition of "does not exist" depends on the standard. For X12, its a combination of the From and To ISA Trading Partners and GS Application Partners. In EDI-speak, that becomes:
ISA05 + ISA06 + GS02 + ISA07 + ISA08 + GS03

Your idea certainly has merit if you want to perform this "5010 upgrade" in a link-by-link, somewhat manual approach. The manual deletion of the link does take on some risk worth mentioning: if an applicable transmission comes in somewhere between step (3a) and (4), it will be rejected. You'll also have to consider if you will want both the 4010 and the 5010 to exist together for some period of time (I'm assuming we're talking 4010 here).

Another approach would be to use the XML Autoload. That idea is certainly more complicated than yours, but can be automated, albeit with consider programming effort on your part. I'd be happy to forward a detailed approach using XML I've created before; perhaps a quick support call could get that ball rolling.

I must state that the preceding advice is to be considered experimental, untested, and is not part of the documentation or features of the product.
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Originally posted by: SystemAdmin

Thanks again Jim for your response in explaining the merits/risks of the approach.
I'll be opening up the ticket with support shortly.
Regards
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