log shipping without regular bak files

  • we have been asked to create a log shipped database for a client. they will send us an initial .bak file then all subsequent .trn files. but they will not be sending us the subsequent nightly .bak files.

    we have tested the following sequence of events on the source database:

    (1) full backup created

    (2) log backup created

    (3) log backup created

    (4) new table added to database

    (5) full backup created

    (6) log backup created

    then this sequence of events on the restored database:

    full backup (1) shipped and restored

    log backup (2) shipped and restored

    log backup (3) shipped and restored

    log backup (6) shipped and restored

    we found that the table created in (4) in the source database was also created in the restored database. this surprised us because our interpretation of the sql help documentation led us to expect that the log file would be truncated when the full backup (5) was created.

    so here are my questions:

    - is there specific detail on this in the documentation?

    - are there any general pitfalls for us to watch for with the log shipping solution whereby we will not receive the nightly full backups?

    thanks

  • Full backup does not truncate the tran log. Never has. Only a transaction log backup, an explicit truncate or a switch to simple recovery will truncate the tran 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
  • As mentioned, you should be fine with just sending over log backups after the full is moved.

    If you lose a log backup file, then you will need to send another full backup to get things restarted, but as long as all log backups copy and restore correctly, you'll be fine.

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