Backups

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Backups

kapfundestanley

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May 28, 2012 at 9:35 pm

#269631

Comments posted to this topic are about the item Backups
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zerko SSCommitted Points: 1524 More actions · Answer 1

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/ms190190.aspx - Back Up and Restore of System Databases -

The linked document states "You cannot backup the tempdb system database."

:ermm:

I guess you could read that as "why are you wasting your time trying to back up tempdb when by design, everything on it will be permanently discarded when the server instance shuts down?",

:crying:

but in this instance I interpreted it as "You cannot backup the tempdb system database, differential or otherwise."

sigh, -1

Henrico Bekker One Orange Chip Points: 27652 More actions · Answer 2

2 correct answers to this question.

master & tempdb....although I know you cant backup the tempdb in any method.

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M&M SSC-Insane Points: 21700 More actions · Answer 3

I got this wrong as I selected the most evident answer 🙂

M&M

Michael Riemer SSCertifiable Points: 5190 More actions · Answer 4

Agree with most that TempDB is also a correct answer, but I guess that was the trick they were trying to catch! 😉

Hugo Kornelis SSC Guru Points: 64790 More actions · Answer 5

Okay, I was unaware of this limitation (though I have no idea why anyone would ever even WANT to do a differential backup on master!), so I guess I learned something.

But the phrasing of the question is poor. I assume the intention was to ask which system database can be backed up full but not differential, but the phrasing only included the inability of differential backups. And that means that tempdb is a valid answer as well, since tempdb doesn't allow backups of any kind.

Steve, if you're reading this - my suggestion is to change the wording of the question to "Which of the following system databases does allow full backups, bot does not allow differential backups."

Hugo Kornelis, SQL Server/Data Platform MVP (2006-2016)
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Nakul Vachhrajani SSChampion Points: 10294 More actions · Answer 6

Hugo Kornelis (5/29/2012)
Okay, I was unaware of this limitation (though I have no idea why anyone would ever even WANT to do a differential backup on master!), so I guess I learned something.
But the phrasing of the question is poor. I assume the intention was to ask which system database can be backed up full but not differential, but the phrasing only included the inability of differential backups. And that means that tempdb is a valid answer as well, since tempdb doesn't allow backups of any kind.
Steve, if you're reading this - my suggestion is to change the wording of the question to "Which of the following system databases does allow full backups, bot does not allow differential backups."

I agree with Hugo. The way the question is worded right now, tempdb should have been part of the answer.

By the way, I learnt today that differential database backups not being allowed on the master database. So, thank-you for that.

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davoscollective SSCertifiable Points: 6405 More actions · Answer 7

I'm not sure if a page at simple-talk from 2006 qualifies as a good reference, although BOL has its fair share of errors anyway so probably not worth worrying about.

Skanker Hall of Fame Points: 3059 More actions · Answer 8

I chose TempDB so got it wrong (although this is still also right in my opinion). Did not realise this about Master so learned something this morning which is always a good way to start the day.

Hugo Kornelis SSC Guru Points: 64790 More actions · Answer 9

davoscollective (5/29/2012)
I'm not sure if a page at simple-talk from 2006 qualifies as a good reference, although BOL has its fair share of errors anyway so probably not worth worrying about.

I had the same concern, so I tested it (on SQL2012). I did indeed get an error message when trying to do a differential backup of master. (And I also got an error message when trying the same on tempdb). Note that I did not test if the other databases do indeed allow the differential backup.

Hugo Kornelis, SQL Server/Data Platform MVP (2006-2016)
Visit my SQL Server blog: https://sqlserverfast.com/blog/
SQL Server Execution Plan Reference: https://sqlserverfast.com/epr/

Koen Verbeeck SSC Guru Points: 259105 More actions · Answer 10

Dammit, want my point! 😛

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paul s-306273 SSChampion Points: 10730 More actions · Answer 11

paul s-306273

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May 29, 2012 at 2:25 am

#1494011

Poorly researched question...

kapfundestanley SSCertifiable Points: 5637 More actions · Answer 12

True,appreciate your comments was not aware of the tempdb fact.Thank you so much.

“When I hear somebody sigh, ‘Life is hard,’ I am always tempted to ask, ‘Compared to what?’” - Sydney Harris

george sibbald SSC Guru Points: 104210 More actions · Answer 13

The explanation reads : 'Differential backups require backup without recovery, which is not allowed for the master database'

that should read 'Differential backups require restore without recovery (of the full beforehand), which is not allowed for the master database'

which is the reason you cannot put the master database in any recovery mode other than simple, so that log backups would be required.

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matt.bowler SSCrazy Points: 2677 More actions · Answer 14

I'll add my voice to the clamour - as the question is worded tempdb is a correct answer to the question. Did not realsie that fact about the master database, not that I'd ever try to do a differential backup of it - but as has been pointed out the explanation is incorrectly worded.