SQL Backup Saves Bandwidth and Time

The importance of your data is self-evident — that's why you've chosen Microsoft's SQL Server to maintain it. Creating a backup of your data on a regular basis to guard against mishap is an essential part of the daily activity in the life a database administrator (DBA). Most of us use the native backup and restore utility that ships with Microsoft SQL Server. So why would a DBA want to pay for a third-party tool such as Red-Gate Software's SQL Backup? If you are like me, perhaps you use SQL Server's native tool because (1) it's free, and (2) you just haven't realized the benefits of using Red-Gate's tool. I know I didn't.

The Main Function of SQL Backup

• Backup a database.
• Schedule a backup job.
• Restore a database.

To help illustrate the benefits of SQL Backup, we'll step through the process of creating a backup.

When you first login to SQL Backup, you're greeted by what seems on the surface to be a simple looking GUI. (Don't let this fool you — it's a very powerful tool.) All the databases on registered servers are displayed in the pane on the left. On the right, three tabs display the activity history, scheduled job failures, and processes that are currently running.

Your first step is to register a server. With this new release of SQL Backup, you can also configure a Log Shipping — an interesting option available with the Professional edition. You only need to provide an authentication credential to complete a remote installation from the locally installed copy.

Backing Up Data

Backing up a database with SQL Backup is a very easy 6-step process that uses a wizard.

Steps 1-3:

Starting Your Backup

First we have to select a server, then a database, and then the type of the backup (Full Database Backup, Differential Backup, Transaction Log Backup, and Files / File Group Backup).

Step 4:

Backup Options

SQL backup has options that the native backup utility simply does not provide such as the option to split a backup file into multiple files or to do a mirrored backup. Other options include overwriting existing files, verifying the backup after completion, and deleting backup files after a certain amount of days.