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rupertsland
Starting Member
9 Posts |
 Posted - 2012-06-25 : 10:13:42
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| Hello. I need help to convince management that they should obtain proper 3rd party backup software for backing up and verifying SQL Server database files. I currently have a software vendor in mind. In the meantime, I manually backup about 15 databases using SQL Server 2008's backup tools. I've tried scripting to backup, verify and restore data, but all this is a lot of work and adds up to many hours.Here's what I'm up against. Below is the response I got back from IT staff (they are not onsite - they manage the network remotely) after asking a number of questions.----------Hi ____1. Yes, GIS is backed up every night (Image backups). Data on GIS-SAN1 data is being backed up offsite (_____ house) and onsite as well (arcback server)2. Image backups of GIS - can go 6 months back. Usually depends if the BDR server gets filled up with images easily, we'll then archive those current backups stored on the BDR to arcback and start a fresh full backup of the server. The previous "archived" backups living on ARCBACK would then be deleted after a few weeks, to free up space. GIS-SAN data can be recovered as far back as 1 week.3. For verification, we do a test restore of GIS server from the image backups and check all services, login to the SQL database to confirm all is in working order. We do test restores every 90 days.----------Can any of you find any holes or weaknesses in the above that would justify the purchase of 3rd party backup software to backup SQL Server databases?Please note that I am no IT expert. I work for a small/medium sized environmental consulting company. My background is in biology, but trained myself in the installation and maintenance of SQL Server, and am currently developing a relational database for a major client.I would be grateful for any help.Cheers-------------------Rupertsland,Canada |
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nigelrivett
Master Smack Fu Yak Hacker
3385 Posts |
Posted - 2012-06-25 : 11:22:31
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| Must admit I usually backup to disk using a stored proc. Another stored proc to copy the backup and restore to a remote server.That just runs and doesn't need intervention (unless it fails).For large databases that can't be backed up to disk I would use a 3rd party tool - but would also want to restore backups fairly frequently.For critical databases I test restore every backup using the SPs above. For ones using a 3rd party solution it depends on what is available.Given the option I wouldn't use anything other than a sql backup command.For image backups I would be cautious. If sql server is running they need to stop sql server writing to disk (which can cause problems anyway) while they are doing the backup otherwise they can end up with corrupt database files. I'm guessing yoour backups are on GIS-SAN1 so are being backed up? How would you get a backup to restore - test the process by running the restore.==========================================Cursors are useful if you don't know sql.SSIS can be used in a similar way.Beer is not cold and it isn't fizzy. |
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rupertsland
Starting Member
9 Posts |
Posted - 2012-06-25 : 12:41:27
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| Hi nigelrivett.Thanks for your reply. Sure, a SP would also work well. I was interested in obtaining the backup software from Red Gate.Yes, all our database backup files are on the SAN unit. The SAN unit is also backed up. So we have a backup of database backups. Previously, we had the datbase backups stored on the server itself - a definite no-no, and something I've been trying to change for a year.Currently, I restore the backed up databases to another SQL Server instance. This is my verification method. I also run DBCC CHECKDB on the restored databases.Sincerely,RupertslandCheers-------------------Rupertsland,Canada |
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How to make a case for SQL backup software?