Urgent! Backing Up Very Large Database

  • Hi,

    I can no longer fit one backup file to a single drive. I have to split it to two dirves. How can I do this? My current command: backup database BigDb to disk = 'k:\BigDb.bkp'.

    I am backing up an 80GB database but would like to split the backup files to various drives. I would like to issue something like:

    backup database BigDb to disk = 'k:\BigDB.bkp.1','l:\BidDB.bkp.2'.

    I know the above syntax is not correct but would like to do something like it.

    Thanks in advance for any help.

  • Hi,

    in book online it says you can define up to 64 backup devices for example:

    backup database bigdb to disk='k:\bigdb1.bkp', disk='L:\bigdb2.bkp'

    Hope that helps.

    Best regards,

    Holger

  • Look in BOL for "Media Sets, Media Families, and Backup Sets".  In your case, substitute "\\.\tape0" with filenames, probably on separate drives.  But read this section carefully.  You will have more to be concerned with, to make sure your files in the backup set match.  It may be easier to just get an larger external USB drive and backup to that.

    Hope this helps



    Mark

  • Look at SQL LiteSpeed - its faster and gives smaller backups than the native process.

  • Keep it simple, purchase an external USB Hard drive and backup to that device.

    It will make restores easier should you have to restore.  You can also store the data off site if needed and disconnect the device when not in use.  This will reinforce any disaster recovery policy you company has.

    When you come to upgrading you server it'll  to move the database.

    Good luck.

    Dave

     

     

  • Answering the question "How big is 'big'" would seem to be the first order of business. Once this is answered I'd then ask what are your current server hardware specs. Armed with this information you can make a wiser decision. I'd also probably ask what your database growth trend over time is as well.

    RegardsRudy KomacsarSenior Database Administrator"Ave Caesar! - Morituri te salutamus."

  • I use Red Gate, its fast and alot cheaper than Lite Speed.  Here is an example of the backup log:

    10/10/2006 9:00:03 PM: Deleting old backup file: G:\Backup\Tuesday\FULL_(local****_.sqb)

    10/10/2006 10:06:44 PM: Backup data size : 112.443 GB

    10/10/2006 10:06:44 PM: Compressed data size: 23.764 GB

    10/10/2006 10:06:44 PM: Compression rate : 78.87%

     

    As you can see, it did a full back up of a 112 GB DB in 1hr and 6 min and compressed it to 24GB.  I backup to external hard drives also. 

    Cheers,

    Bart

  • With our present server and SAN architecture we achieve backup throughput in excess of 1 Gb/minute on most of out databases. Some server execute 10-12 backups concurrently !

    RegardsRudy KomacsarSenior Database Administrator"Ave Caesar! - Morituri te salutamus."

  • Hello All:

    Great! It seems like I have a lot of options. I was able to backup about 80GB to 3 drives in about 1hr 45 mins.

    I appreciate all the suggestions on this thread ...

    Warmest Regards,

    Kiri

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