Link to home
Start Free TrialLog in
Avatar of mojopojo
mojopojoFlag for United States of America

asked on

Sybase DB - Have raw DB files and need to export schema (lists of entries of rows and columns) without access to the original front-end interface that created it.

I have been given 2 raw Sybase databases - the .db and .log files for each.  Each .db is under 1.4GB.

We do not have access to the front-end that the database was populated using, and the raw data needs to be accessed so that queries and reports can be made against the data. However, we are unsure of exactly what type of data the DBs hold - we don't know the schema. If we could export the schema, I could present it to the end users on the team and a developer to decide what information is useful to import into a new live DB, what rows and columns are linked, what their labels/names are, etc, etc.

I am a network, Microsoft Server NT - 2012 and Exchange admin (14 years) with very little DB knowledge outside of work in IIS. The Sybase DBs are not live, so I can put then through any type of filter, tool or migration I need to in order to present what it holds and how it holds/organizes the data (containers) to the project manager. I would even import it into SQL or Access if I needed (of course I have a few archived/backup copies of the raw Sybase DBs).

So I am not only looking for the proper tool (we are willing to purchase what we need), but a little hand holding as well - I need to produce the schema of the 2x Sybase databases first. Then I need a tool that will allow us to make queries and generate reports on the data once we know exactly what the data is.

So a little DB 101 - 300 if anyone could.

Thanks,
-MP
Avatar of Bud Durland
Bud Durland
Flag of United States of America image

It would help to know what version of Sybase was used to create the databases.  If you go to the Sybase web site, you can download a developer version of Sybase SQL Anywhere for free.  With that installed, you should be able to use the management tools to examine the data structure, and/or export them to flat ASCII files.
Avatar of mojopojo

ASKER

Thanks. I've downloaded and installed the Sybase dev kit but am having trouble mounting the files I was given as an OBDC Data Source. The problem looks to be that I have the .db and .log files, but the Sybase management consul is looking for a .dsn file.

I have tried with the Sybade dev kit v12 and v16 - both are installed on a test server now that I have full access to.

Any help would be appreciated
SOLUTION
Avatar of Bud Durland
Bud Durland
Flag of United States of America image

Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
Link to home
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
Start Free Trial
The encryption key were were given was bad. Once we had the verified and correct key, we installed a full version of the Sybase engine. We were then able to mount the DB and access the data.

Thanks.