DB Mirroring - Moving MDF and LDF files

• Ed7

  SSCrazy Eights

  Points: 8352

  September 18, 2017 at 10:10 am

  #328402

  I have two VM that setup and configure with databasemirroring.

  • Principal and Mirror

  There are SQL Server 2012 SP2 that running on O/S WindowsServer 2012 R2.

  When I was assigned to troubleshooting the performanceissues.  My first initial research, Ifound the MDF and LDF files are located in C drive.

  Then, I am planning to move MDF and LDF files from C driveto  P and L drives.

  I have setup a test lab with Two VM and SQL 2012 mirroring.Then I tried to move the MDF and LDF files.

  But ran into issues and the databases mirroring promptedwarning and error messages when I moved MDF and LDF files.

  Questions:

  • Will Database Mirroring allow to move MDF andLDF files?

  Thank you in advance for your help.

  -Edwin

• Arsh

  SSCertifiable

  Points: 6031

  September 19, 2017 at 1:43 am

  #1959903

  Ed7 - Monday, September 18, 2017 10:10 AM

  I have two VM that setup and configure with databasemirroring.

  • Principal and Mirror

  There are SQL Server 2012 SP2 that running on O/S WindowsServer 2012 R2.

  When I was assigned to troubleshooting the performanceissues.  My first initial research, Ifound the MDF and LDF files are located in C drive.

  Then, I am planning to move MDF and LDF files from C driveto  P and L drives.

  I have setup a test lab with Two VM and SQL 2012 mirroring.Then I tried to move the MDF and LDF files.

  But ran into issues and the databases mirroring promptedwarning and error messages when I moved MDF and LDF files.

  Questions:

  • Will Database Mirroring allow to move MDF andLDF files?

  Thank you in advance for your help.

  -Edwin

  What does the error message say ? I believe you can't move the database files without breaking the mirror.

• Perry Whittle

  SSC Guru

  Points: 233784

  September 19, 2017 at 7:09 am

  #1959933

  Ed7 - Monday, September 18, 2017 10:10 AM

  I have two VM that setup and configure with databasemirroring.

  • Principal and Mirror

  There are SQL Server 2012 SP2 that running on O/S WindowsServer 2012 R2.

  When I was assigned to troubleshooting the performanceissues.  My first initial research, Ifound the MDF and LDF files are located in C drive.

  Then, I am planning to move MDF and LDF files from C driveto  P and L drives.

  I have setup a test lab with Two VM and SQL 2012 mirroring.Then I tried to move the MDF and LDF files.

  But ran into issues and the databases mirroring promptedwarning and error messages when I moved MDF and LDF files.

  Questions:

  • Will Database Mirroring allow to move MDF andLDF files?

  Thank you in advance for your help.

  -Edwin

  Break the mirror, move the files on the primary, then take a new backup and use to re intialise the new mirror.
  Will save yourself a whole load of time

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

  [font="Tahoma"]"Ya can't make an omelette without breaking just a few eggs"[/font] 😉

• Ed7

  SSCrazy Eights

  Points: 8352

  September 19, 2017 at 7:39 am

  #1959940

  Thank you, All for your input.  The feedback answered my questions.

• gerald72

  SSC Enthusiast

  Points: 185

  September 25, 2017 at 10:42 am

  #1960804

  Hi,
  with minimum downtime I would have done it this way (same solution testet with alwayson ag's)
  1 break mirror and restore mirror partner DB with norecovery moving the files to the new location. restore DIFF and/or log backups with norecovery.
  2 set up mirror again
  3 fail over to the newly restored DB
  4 restore the former primary DB using step 1
  5 set up mirror again
  6 failback or leave it on the other side

  voila - DB moved with minimal downtime.

  BR
  Gerald