Before You Start

Make sure that you have a current backup of the entire system, not just the database. Make sure that all of the operating system is backed up, with any flatfiles or temporary files that your application may use. Make sure that your backups contain enough configuration information to restore the system from scratch. On NT systems, do a database backup; then shut down the database and do a full NT system backup. Make sure you have current boot or repair disks in case the worst happens.

Compare this process to the way that the production database is currently being backed up. If there are any glaring differences, point them out. Part of a tuneup should be checking out the safety features anyway. Does the current backup procedure have any holes or area that is missed?