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Refreshing Test Data Guidelines

Owned by David Engblom
Last updated: Mar 05, 2024
2 min read

  1. Inform PCR before copying data from the Production system to the Test system, or restoring data from a backup.  If the version of the data in the backup, or from Production, does not match the patch installed on the system, the application will not function properly.

  2. If possible, coordinate the copying of Production Data to the Test system with new Patch Upgrades.  This should reduce the possibility of any unforeseen issues since PCR would be installing the upgrade right after the data is copied. This allows PCR to verify everything is in order after the data transfer.

  3. Backup the Test database (optional) - This is only necessary if you suspect you will need to restore any data from the Test system that is not in the Production data.

  4. Export the Production database, or prepare a backup copy of the Production database that you can import into the Test database.

    1. All PCR-360 installations require three schemas/databases; pcr360_prod, pcr360_prod_metadata, and pcr360_prod_archive.  The names may vary by installation, however, there should be a primary schema, metadata schema, and archive schema.

    2. All tables must be exported, including empty tables.  The application may not run properly if any schemas, or tables are missing.

  5. Disable the cron for the Test system by commenting out the entry in the crontab.  (This is typically found in the root crontab, but could be in the Apache crontab for some customers).

  6. Import the data into each of the schemas on the Test Database.

    1. Note: Always verify that you are importing the data into the test schemas, you may not be able to fix the production data if any data changes occurred since the data was exported.

  7. Save the output of the import process to a log file. You should review the log after the import has completed and verify no issues occurred during the import process.

  8. After the data has imported, you will need to rebuild the views.

    1. Rebuild the MT-Views (from the browser)

      1. <application url>/update/create/mt-views

      2. The mt-views will be automatically updated

    2.  Rebuild the standard Views (from the browser)

      1. <application url>/update/create/views

      2. The views will be automatically updated

  9. Restore any triggers, custom views, etc. on the Test system.

  10. Uncomment the Test system entry in the crontab to enable the cron.

  11. Log into the application to verify everything works and you're done!