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The data stored within a SQL Server Database is of paramount significance to organizations, leading them to exercise extreme vigilance and readiness to mitigate worst-case scenarios and high-risk data loss situations.
Given the significance of the SQL database, it is advisable to regularly create backup files of the database to ensure preparedness for potential instances of severe database file corruption and damage.
Otherwise, searching for methods regarding how to restore SQL Server database or tips to recover SQL database from suspect mode will become the only task with the highest priority in your to-do list. Achieving this task is a challenging endeavor due to the limited functionality of native Microsoft applications. They offer only a few useful features, provided that the user can access the database files, and that those files are free from corruption or damage.
In this post, we’ll lead you through the process of backing up a SQL Server database using various tools. Additionally, we’ll delve into the significance of differential backups and demonstrate how to create one in SQL Server. Finally, we’ll cover the fundamental principles of data and file backups.
Backup Essentials
It is crucial to establish a regular backup routine, particularly when data plays a pivotal role in the business. This practice helps mitigate the challenges of rectifying issues and salvaging lost information.
To grasp the significance of backup creation, the following points are expounded:
- Protection from Power Failures
Computer systems are vulnerable to potential harm caused by power interruptions. This vulnerability extends to all unsaved files and folders, as well as the active SQL Server database instance. Furthermore, uncontrolled power fluctuations can render the hard drive inaccessible, rendering all locally stored data out of reach. In such circumstances, the sole solution at your disposal is to rely on backups to restore normalcy. - Safety from Virus Attacks
It’s a familiar scenario where files and folders compromised by viruses become inaccessible, and repeated attempts to access them can result in the virus spreading throughout the entire system. When it comes to database files, virus attacks aren’t an exception, and the threat of SQL injections is equally concerning. Maintaining file backups becomes crucial for expediting the recovery and restoration of lost or damaged files, whether due to virus attacks or other reasons. - Recovery from Operating System Failures
Operating system crashes are a prominent factor contributing to data loss, file corruption, and system damage. While the exact reasons for these crashes cannot be definitively pinpointed, several potential causes include outdated system builds, resource overloading, software corruption, improper memory allocation, system application errors, and various others. In the majority of instances, users are required to perform a complete reinstallation of the operating system. Consequently, unless backups are in place, all locally stored files and data on the hard drive will be lost. - Quick File and Data Recovery
Generating backups for files and folders is not just a vital necessity but also a commendable habit that ensures the safety of valuable data, regardless of the circumstances. Backups make it effortless, speedy, and convenient to recover your data.
The benefits of creating backups are numerous, but the ones mentioned above serve as a starting point. Now that you understand the advantages of making file backups, let’s move on to creating a backup for your SQL Server database.
Follow the steps given below to create SQL Server Database using Transact SQL on a disk device:
Note: Backups created using an earlier or later version of SQL Server can’t be restored using the other version of the software.
GO
BACKUP DATABASE TechForums19
TO DISK = ‘Z:\SQLServerBackups\TechForums19.Bak’
WITH FORMAT,
MEDIANAME = ‘Z_SQLServerBackups’,
NAME = ‘Full Backup of TechForums19’,
GO
Note: Above, TechForums19, is the database selected for backup, change it with the one you want to back up.
To create the SQL Server database backup using PowerShell, we’ll use the Backup-SqlDatabase cmdlet, and to create the full database backup, we’ll specify the optional -BackupAction parameter with its default value, which is Database.
Execute the below PowerShell command to create the full SQL Server Database backup:
Note: Above example, demonstrates the full database backup of a SQL Server Database, where Computer/Instance is the backup location of the server instance. Again, replace TechForums19 with your SQL Server database name.
When generating a complete SQL Server database backup, several factors merit consideration. Notably, the process of creating full database backups is a protracted and resource-intensive endeavor. Furthermore, for databases with substantial file sizes, a significant amount of storage space is necessitated to accommodate them.
Create SQL Server Differential Backup
Follow below steps to create the differential backup of a SQL Server Database:
Example showing both the full SQL Server database backup and differential backup:
TO TechForums19_DB
WITH INIT;
–Initiate the differential backup after a change, or an update is made on the select SQL Server database.
BACKUP DATABASE TechForums19
TO TechForums19_DB
WITH DIFFERENTIAL;
GO
Example showing only the differential backup:
GO
Note: Make sure that you’ve created the full SQL Server database backup already; otherwise, the differential backup cannot be initiated.
Here are the procedures to assist you in generating complete SQL Server database backups and differential backups. File backups are essential for recovering from database corruption, but what should you do if the backup files themselves become corrupted or damaged? In such situations, you have two alternatives:
- To fight the issue of SQL Server database file (MDF and NDF file) corruption and damage, use an SQL Recovery tool.
- To restore SQL Server database file (MDF and NDF file) from corrupt or damaged SQL backup files, use an SQL Backup Recovery tool.
Kernel for SQL Backup Recovery is made to fix corruption and damage issues in SQL Backup files. It restores MDF/NDF files from .bak files to live SQL Server/Batch file.
Follow the steps below for the data restoration from healthy/corrupt/damaged database backup (BAK) file.
- Open Kernel for Backup Recovery.
- Click on Browse button to select the BAK (database backup) file and click Next.
Note: If the database backup file (BAK) is highly corrupt or damaged then, select Advanced Scan instead of Standard Scan. - After the database file scan completion, the tool’s UI will display all the data on the screen.
Click on + Icon to expand and collapse the database objects listed in a tree format (in the left side).
Note: By clicking on each object, you can generate an item preview to ensure data integrity. - In this step, select the SQL Server option to restore the data from database backup file to live SQL Server instance. Input server credentials and server authentication details, as shown below and click Ok.
Note: You can also, save the restored data in a batch file; for doing so select the Batch File radio option; select the BAK file and click Open.
Note: If you wish to stop the restoration process, click on the Stop button. - Done, click Ok.
You have successfully restored the data from SQL Server database backup (BAK) file.
Wrap
Creating file backups is not only a good practice but also insurance which saves time and money. And Kernel for SQL Database Recovery is there to fix the issues, when the database files turn corrupt, and you wonder how to repair corrupt SQL database. It is a one-stop-shop for SQL repair & recovery. Alternately, you can restore SQL database files even from damaged SQL backup files using Kernel SQL Backup Recovery tool.