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Learn How to Set an Ideal Backup and Restore Strategy for SQL Server

👤 Andrew Jackson | Modified: May 8th, 2023|Backup | 5 Minutes Reading

Are you a database admin or general user of SQL Server? If you are either of these, you must have a customised backup and restore strategy for SQL Server. This post will help you to pen down and implement a strategy for database backup and its restoration during any disaster. Read on to know different aspects of the topic.

Why Do We Need Backup and Restore Strategy for SQL Server

Readers may have doubt and question in their minds about the requirement of having a separate strategy for database backup and restoration. To clear all these doubts, this segment will be helpful.

Every SQL database must have a strategy for backup and restore. The strategy should be divided into two parts. In backup strategy, you have to determine which type of backup to take and the frequency of it. For Restoration, you need to determine how much downtime is acceptable for the organisation and test the restoration process to get prepared for what situation may come. Remember to make sure that the strategy meets the requirements of your SQL Server. With a suitable strategy, data loss can be minimised during any event of disaster and data availability can be maximised. These issues can make a situation arise when you need to restore database from the backup file:

  • Hardware/ Software Issues: Despite the introduction of update hardware, hardware issues such as Server instance, disc, media, and Network failure can still occur in your SQL Server database. OS crash, memory error and power cut can also cause problem with the related software. Some bugs or logical error can also result in application failure.
  • Human Error: No human being is free from errors and human error is one of the main reason for SQL database corruption. If any data get altered accidentally by the users, it is considered as a human error.

Things that Must be Included in the Strategy

While drafting the strategy, SQL experts should be involved in the process. These are some of the key factors that must be included in the strategy:

  • Data Loss: Check if the organization can afford any data loss and if yes, then how much?
  • Database Downtime: As database is not going to be available during the restoration process, how long can your company afford downtime.
  • Available Space: As backup will require database space, the available storage has to be taken into consideration.
  • Storage Performance: Also consider, the power of your Server which is crucial for restoration.
  • Restoration Complexity: Keep in mind the complexity of the backup restoration process and whether you are ready to handle it.

Types of Backup Available for SQL Server

There are various types of backup that can be done in SQL Server. Some of the major categories are:

  • Full Backup: This type of backup includes the complete database including the log files. It requires a considerable amount of time and space along with the power to enable point-in-time recovery.
  • Transaction Log Backup: This backup should be done when you have Full or Bulk-logged Recovery Mode enabled. It should be done frequently and a full database backup should be its base.
  • Differential Backup: It records only the changes made since the last good backup. Based on the full backup, it gets executed in quite a fast speed.
  • Tail-Log Backup: This is another essential type of backup that fetches the data from the log report even if the database gets corrupted. One condition remains that the log file has to be healthy.

Types of Restoration Model

  • Simple Recovery Model – It is the simplest of recovery models which does not permit transactional log backup restoration and not suitable for a point in time recovery.
  • Full Recovery Model – This recovery model offers minimal data loss and hence preferred for production-based databases. It supports restoring Transactional log backups and a point in time recovery.
  • Bulk-Logged Recovery Model – This model is usually used when there are bulk-transactions are occurring in databases.

What If the Backup Files Get Corrupt

The principal purpose of having a backup and restore strategy for SQL Server is to use it when some disaster occurs. However, if the SQL backup file gets corrupt then it is not feasible to restore that file manually. This could mean the end of your hope to get back database from the BAK file, but not anymore. With the help of SQL bak file repair tool, users can fix the corruption of the backup files of SQL Server. After fixing the corruption, the same tool will help you to export the backup file into SQL Server database. The application supports all the latest version of SQL including 2019, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2008, 2005, and 2000.

Conclusion

Backup and restoration strategy for SQL Server is an essential component that makes sure the well-being of the Server. In this write-up, we have discussed which points to be considered while making a strategy. Since we have attempted to cover all the main aspects, users should get benefited from this post.