Today Steve Jones talks about backups. Setting up a process is good, but you cannot count on it working forever. You need to check periodically to be sure it's working, and that your skills are not deteriorating.  Read more...

So I am using this new technology called Availability Groups that was introduced in SQL Server 2012. I have heard I can offload my backups to a secondary replica, but I am not sure how that works or how to configure those backups. Are there any limitations? Check out this tip to learn more.  Read more...

The most critical task for all DBAs is to have a Backup and Recovery strategy that ensures, every day, that in the event of a disaster they can restore and recover any database, within acceptable limits for data loss and downtime. Even with all the required backups in place, it's easy to miss subtle failings in the overall plan that can, and eventually will, defeat your recovery plans.   Read more...

Developing a backup procedure that makes sure you can do restores should be one of your top priorities as a DBA. In this article Greg Larsen discusses some of the concepts to consider when developing, building and testing a backup strategy.  Read more...

Part of an effective response to a disaster situation is practice and testing of your skills and procedures. Steve Jones reminds us this is important today.  Read more...

Author Craig Outcalt gives advice on preparing for the worst with a look at what you should consider putting in your disaster recovery plan and why.  Read more...

Grant takes a humorous (but completely serious) look at why you should be regularly verifying your backups. Get top tips for backup and recovery, and protect yourself when disaster strikes. Watch the video  Read more...

Worms have been around a long time in computer systems. However changes in the global policies of governments and the possible retaliation for cyber warfare should have DBAs concerned.  Read more...

The Database Recovery Advisor in SQL Server 2012 will aid the ability of DBAs to recover their databases to a point in time in a crisis. Read about this new feature and how it can speed the process of recovery.  Read more...

Join us on May 22, 4:00GMT to learn how to include verification as a part of your backup and recovery strategy with Grant Fritchey.  Read more...

Instant file initialization also has its advantages when you restore a SQLServer database. This article will show you why.  Read more...

Join us on May 22, 4:00GMT to learn how to include verification as a part of your backup and recovery strategy with Grant Fritchey.  Read more...

Join us on May 22, 4:00GMT to learn how to include verification as a part of your backup and recovery strategy with Grant Fritchey.  Read more...

Join us on May 22, 4:00GMT to learn how to include verification as a part of your backup and recovery strategy with Grant Fritchey.  Read more...

Join us on May 22, 4:00GMT to learn how to include verification as a part of your backup and recovery strategy with Grant Fritchey.  Read more...

SQL Server backups are key to recovering from a disaster or some type of data failure, but the real magic happens when the backup is restored. In this tip we look at a new enhancment in SQL Server 2012 for point in time recovery using the new timeline feature.  Read more...

The majority of companies that suffer a major data loss subsequently go out of business. Wesley David remembers vividly the day when the organisation he worked for found that they couldn't restore their data, and the subsequent struggles that ensued. Shoulda-woulda-coulda.   Read more...

A Backup system is merely part of a recovery system. If your backups can't be used to recover the database, then they're useless. Do you regularly make sure that you can restore a database from your backups?  Read more...

The loss of a company's data is often enough to put the company out of business; and yet backup errors are generally avoidable with the application of common sense rather than deep technical knowledge. Grant digs into memories of his long experience of giving forum advice, to come up with the most easily preventable backup errors.  Read more...

Author Craig Outcalt gives advice on preparing for the worst with a look at what you should consider putting in your disaster recovery plan and why.  Read more...