Any benefit to shrink after Trans Log Backup (FULL recovery model)

  • In a Full Recovery model, after every transaction log is backed up, is it worth shrinking the Log File?

    If yes, what are the benefits?

    Alternatively, are there side(ill)-effects to shrinking TL after backing it up?

    I am thinking not only in terms of disk size it occupies, but also for overall performance.

    Dan

  • repent_kog_is_near (10/1/2009)


    In a Full Recovery model, after every transaction log is backed up, is it worth shrinking the Log File?

    Only if you want to slow the DB down as it re-grows the log as necessary.

    The log should never be shrunk on a regular basis. Size it for the activity in the DB and the frequency of the log backups and then LEAVE IT ALONE.

    Please read through this - Managing Transaction Logs[/url]

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass
  • Gail

    Thanks for the useful article.

    Other than slowing down the DB, does it also cause lot of fragmentation?

    Also what is the best way to estimate the ideal size of the log file.?

    For TempDB, I monitor the size for a period of time, and then I fix the size of TempDB to the size where it held steady. Should I use the same technique for Database log also?

    -Dan.

  • repent_kog_is_near (10/1/2009)


    For TempDB, I monitor the size for a period of time, and then I fix the size of TempDB to the size where it held steady. Should I use the same technique for Database log also?

    -Dan.

    Simply put, yes.

    - Gus "GSquared", RSVP, OODA, MAP, NMVP, FAQ, SAT, SQL, DNA, RNA, UOI, IOU, AM, PM, AD, BC, BCE, USA, UN, CF, ROFL, LOL, ETC
    Property of The Thread

    "Nobody knows the age of the human race, but everyone agrees it's old enough to know better." - Anon

  • repent_kog_is_near (10/1/2009)


    Gail

    Thanks for the useful article.

    Other than slowing down the DB, does it also cause lot of fragmentation?

    Also what is the best way to estimate the ideal size of the log file.?

    For TempDB, I monitor the size for a period of time, and then I fix the size of TempDB to the size where it held steady. Should I use the same technique for Database log also?

    -Dan.

    What period of time do you monitor the TempDB database for and how? And whats your deciding factor of when it's "steady" ? Sorry if these sound like interview questions,:w00t: lol... but just trying to gain some knowledge from this.

    --
    :hehe:

  • Honestly, I set tempdb on autogrow, set the growth increment to half a gig or so, and leave it that way. Some systems, I set it to a full gig for the growth, depending on how much it grows and how fast. It'll settle out on its own that way.

    For log and data files on other databases, I have a monitoring job that tells me when they look like they're getting ready to need to grow, and I get alerts from that. (I'm working on getting that and bunch of other auto-maintenance posted here. Should be ready to submit in a couple of weeks.)

    - Gus "GSquared", RSVP, OODA, MAP, NMVP, FAQ, SAT, SQL, DNA, RNA, UOI, IOU, AM, PM, AD, BC, BCE, USA, UN, CF, ROFL, LOL, ETC
    Property of The Thread

    "Nobody knows the age of the human race, but everyone agrees it's old enough to know better." - Anon

  • Slick

    I monitor it throughout the day for every hour using a job.

    So I have record of what it is, 24 times a day for 3 months. So I can easily decide what is the 'steady' value.

    Dan

  • GSquared

    When you post scripts like that, do you put it in the Articles section in SSC?

    Thanks

    Dan

  • repent_kog_is_near (10/1/2009)


    GSquared

    When you post scripts like that, do you put it in the Articles section in SSC?

    Thanks

    Dan

    That's where it will probably end up. It's going to be considerably more than a simple script, however.

    - Gus "GSquared", RSVP, OODA, MAP, NMVP, FAQ, SAT, SQL, DNA, RNA, UOI, IOU, AM, PM, AD, BC, BCE, USA, UN, CF, ROFL, LOL, ETC
    Property of The Thread

    "Nobody knows the age of the human race, but everyone agrees it's old enough to know better." - Anon

  • GSquared

    Thanks.

    Back to the main question, and in relation to fragmentation, we have a process where for a while we have had a truncation of log right after backup. What does it mean other than the effect on the performance (Slowness)?

    I have removed the truncation process now from the Maintenance task.

    Is the log file terribly fragmented by now? Any ideas to fix it now? What other specific things need to be fixed now, because we had the truncation of log going for a few months, for everyday, after backing up the log several times a day. Just trying to understand what all needs to be cleaned up now.

    Dan

  • repent_kog_is_near (10/3/2009)


    Back to the main question, and in relation to fragmentation, we have a process where for a while we have had a truncation of log right after backup. What does it mean other than the effect on the performance (Slowness)?

    Truncate as in BACKUP LOG... TRUNCATE ONLY?

    If you're running that they you're breaking the log chain and ensuring that you will not be able to restore to a point-in-time.

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass
  • BACKUP LOG TO DISK. We keep all the backup of log files in case of need to restore to point in time.

  • Than what do you mean by 'truncation of log ... after backing up the log'?

    Gail Shaw
    Microsoft Certified Master: SQL Server, MVP, M.Sc (Comp Sci)
    SQL In The Wild: Discussions on DB performance with occasional diversions into recoverability

    We walk in the dark places no others will enter
    We stand on the bridge and no one may pass
  • Yes Sir.

  • repent_kog_is_near (10/4/2009)


    Yes Sir.

    (btw - the correct salutation in this case would be "Ma'am". don't let Quaigon Jin fool you)

    ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Your lack of planning does not constitute an emergency on my part...unless you're my manager...or a director and above...or a really loud-spoken end-user..All right - what was my emergency again?

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