Disk Backup vs. Sql Server Backup

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Disk Backup vs. Sql Server Backup

meichner

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May 1, 2008 at 6:55 am

#123710

The person who manages the server that my database runs on backs up the disk each night. He feels that we don't need to run a Sql Server backup because the MDF and LDF files are part of his nightly backup. I don't know enough about Sql Server to know if he is wrong or right. Any insights would be appreciated.
Thanks

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Steve Jones - SSC Editor SSC Guru Points: 736212 More actions · Answer 1

He's wrong. The mdf/ldf files are always open with the SQL Server service, so they aren't backed up by most programs. Even an open file backup program can get into trouble because the SQL files could be changing and so there could be integrity issues or performance issues.

Run a SQL Server backup (data) and log (if in full mode) to the local disk and then let him get those as part of the daily disk backup.

Gordon-265412 SSCrazy Points: 2898 More actions · Answer 2

There is a possibility that they're using some kind of disk-level VDI based backup, and the possibility that they could be using an "agent" that backs up the database...

The OP needs to find out what software is being used and how it's being used to backup thier systems.

Your friendly High-Tech Janitor... 🙂

Steve Jones - SSC Editor SSC Guru Points: 736212 More actions · Answer 3

I'd still be wary, though find out what's happening. The Volume Shadow Service, VSS, is supposed to work with SQL, but people have reported issues with it.

Not sure how well the low level backups deal with the SQL access patterns.

Gordon-265412 SSCrazy Points: 2898 More actions · Answer 4

I'm leary of third-party stuff myself and prefer to do native backups. And the person in charge, really should know how thier recovery process works (or should work).

Your friendly High-Tech Janitor... 🙂

Johan Bijnens SSC Guru Points: 135369 More actions · Answer 5

- Only if he shuts down the sqlserver service, it is safe to perform a disk copy, unless you are using softwares like red-gate sqlbackup or veritas sqlbackup,.. .

-How does he sync multiple disk configurations (data/log files).

-Test the DRP frequently. take a new server and perform the disk restores. disconnect it from the network and start it up. See what it does.

Check your sqlserver data, ...

Johan

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meichner SSCertifiable Points: 5563 More actions · Answer 6

Thanks to your help the person in charge of the server will start using Sql Server backups instead of disk backups.

Thanks

Johan Bijnens SSC Guru Points: 135369 More actions · Answer 7

Job well done ! :smooooth:

Now determine what kind of backups you want to take, what kind of recorvery timeframe you need,...

(also re-evaluating your db-recovery-settings (simple/bulk logged/full)

Read books online for backup and recovery options.

There is also another thread regarding "backup best practises"

http://www.sqlservercentral.com/Forums/Topic436850-357-1.aspx#bm493501

Maybe that can guide you a bit.