Prepare Data Archive for backfilling

Evaluate the data that you are backfilling.

Determine the number and configuration of new tags, the time period covered by all tags, and the approximate amount of data you need to import.

Create the points to backfill.

If the points correspond to active interfaces, make sure current data is not being sent to the point from the interface. One way to do this is to create the points with the Scan attribute set to 0 (zero, which is off), or set the Point Source attribute for the points to L for Lab point. You can change these later. (You can import data into existing points that already contain values, but you will not be able to compress the data.)

Check existing archive files using PI SMT Archives tool or the piartool -al command. Note the start time, end time, and filename (including the path) of all archives within the time range of the backfill data.

Make a backup of your Data Archive server, including all archives you plan to reprocess (if necessary) and backfill. See Understand Data Archive backups.

Create additional archives as needed.

If the data to be backfilled include values prior to the oldest archive, create a new dynamic archive with a Start Time at or earlier than the oldest time stamp, and an End Time equal to the start time of the current oldest archive. See Archive creation with PI SMT.

Verify that the oldest value is now in the snapshot for new points.