Zipping up backups

  • Are there any known problems with zipping up SQL server 7 backups with, for example, WinZip? I have had a mixed response so far.

  • Very heavy usage of CPU sos hould avoid during normal hours.

    Simon Sabin

    Co-author of SQL Server 2000 XML Distilled

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/1904347088


    Simon Sabin
    SQL Server MVP

    http://sqlblogcasts.com/blogs/simons

  • I usually put backups into compressed directories. Not a good a zip, but a lot less CPU, and built in.

    KlK, MCSE


    KlK

  • Keep in mind that Winzip is limited to 2GB files. Rar on the other hand, is not limited in this way. Just a FYI....

    We dump our backups to a network share, and another machine rar's them up. Worked for over a year with no issues.

    Just thought to mention that rar also has the ability to run as a background process, reducing the cpu load and memory used if needed......not that I would recommend it, but an option nonetheless.....

    If your not gonna help, Please move to the side, because if your not helping the situation, your hurting it....

    Edited by - Scorpion_66 on 10/18/2002 11:34:40 AM

  • Actually the limit is now 4gb for the zip 2.0 standard which is what WinZip 8 is based on. I have been curious how SQLZip gets around that (especially since they don't own the standard) and how they deal with the CPU cycles. Other than that I usually move file backups to another machine and since these are generally under 1GB each I zip as it compresses to about 18% the original size from SQL 7 backups, allowing me to keep more weeks on the local machine and the server I move them too. If you do during light periods the CPU cycles do no strain the server that bad.

    "Don't roll your eyes at me. I will tape them in place." (Teacher on Boston Public)

  • I think(!) that SQLZip uses a proprietary near zip format. Not a bad product, I've got a review posted if anyone wants to take a look. Brian Knight has also been doing some work with it and a competing product - hopefully we'll see the results in the next few weeks.

    I dont know of any issues with zipping the files causing any problem. As long as it will unzip, you should be good. Aint no magic!

    Andy

    http://www.sqlservercentral.com/columnists/awarren/

  • Thanks for the responses - much appreciated.

  • quote:


    Are there any known problems with zipping up SQL server 7 backups with, for example, WinZip? I have had a mixed response so far.


  • There are porblems using winzip with variable fields and nulls fields after an unzip and a restore. The SQLZIP product has proven most beneficial and cost effective

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